Religious Education and Social Justice

How Jesus accompanies those who feel lonely

Over the past few weeks, with the Stage 4 restrictions in place, more and more people are commenting on feeling lonely. Those who live or work alone and even those who live and work with other people are feeling a sense of loneliness. Missing family members and friends we normally spend time with is proving to be very difficult for many people and it can be challenging to remain positive and to remember that we will all return to spending time with those we love, it will just take time.

The following article from the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network addresses the issue of loneliness and reminds us that Jesus is always with us to keep us company:

St. Therese of Lisieux, patroness of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, was a shy child growing up in 19th-century France, and while she enjoyed her time spent with her sisters and cousins, she did not find much joy with other children.

She did try making friends, but it didn’t always go as planned, as she writes in her Story of aSoul, “At this time I chose as friends two little girls of my own age; but…all I got was a glance of indifference—my friendship was not appreciated. I felt this very keenly, and I no longer sought an affection which had proved so inconstant.”

At times this led St. Therese to feelings of loneliness, but in her loneliness she knew there was one friend she could always count on.

“I was so shy … I had no special friend … with whom I could have spent many hours like other old pupils…I found my one consolation—for was not Jesus my only Friend? To Him alone could I open my heart; all conversation with creatures, even on holy subjects, wearied me. It is true that in these periods of loneliness I sometimes felt sad, and I used often to console myself by repeating this line of a beautiful poem Papa had taught me: ‘Time is your ship, and not your dwelling-place.’ Young as I was, these words restored my courage, and even now, in spite of having outgrown many pious impressions of childhood, the symbol of a ship always delights me and helps me to bear the exile of this life.”

This little story from St. Therese’s life reminds us that we are never truly alone. We might feel that sharp pain of loneliness, abandoned by our family and friends but the good news is that Jesus’ friendship is always open to us. He may not be able to play games with us, but he can speak to our souls and give us a peace that will never end.

Jesus always accompanies us and this presence should also urge us on to accompany other people, especially those we know who feel the sharp pain of loneliness. We can bring Jesus to them and reassure them that they are never alone. 

Philip Kosloski 

Prayer For Those Who Are Lonely

Dear Heavenly Father, 

I come to You today to lift up those who are lonely

 and pray that in Your grace and mercy

 You would draw near to all who are sad

 and experiencing difficulties 

during the pandemic.

Draw very close to them Lord.

 Enfold them in Your loving arms,

 quiet their hearts and bring into their lives

 that perfect peace and gracious comfort that only comes from You.

Lord, for all whose hearts are aching and alone, I pray that You would draw close to them and make Yourself known in a very special way. 

In Jesus' name I pray

Amen.

May God bless us all and keep us safe.

Jane Wilkinson

Religious Education Leader