September 12, 2008

My Journey to God

Straightening the Cross

She sat on the couch and stared apathetically
At the cross, hanging crooked on the wall.
Why bother with the effort to straighten it.
What did it really matter, after all?

Did he really answer any of her prayers?
And how could he allow such hardship on Earth—
War and hunger, famine and thirst,
Poverty, abuse and aborted births?

As she gazed at the cross in its crooked state
A frown of introspection crossed her face.
Just how much effort had she put into prayer?
Did she bother to find the time or place?

What had she done to promote peace at work
Or to help feed the local in need?
When had she last given when a missionary spoke,
Or stood at an abortion clinic with rosary beads?

“How are things going to change,” she asked,
“If I sit and do nothing at all?”
She got out of the chair and took a few steps,
And straightened the cross on the wall.

By Natalie Hoefer

(Natalie Hoefer is a member of St. Monica Parish in Indianapolis. The feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is celebrated on Sept. 14 this year.) †

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