One day a small boy was trying to lift a heavy stone, but he couldn’t budge it. His father passing by stopped to watch his son’s efforts. Finally he said to his son: “Are you using all your strength?” Exasperated, the boy cried, “Yes I am.” “No you’re not,” said the father calmly, “You haven’t asked me to help you.”

Sometimes we try and deal with problems and worries all by our self. It’s not an easy thing to do and nearly always an impossible task. But with the help of someone it can become so manageable. So if there is something bothering or upsetting us this weekend it might be good to share it with someone else. Like the father in the story we might be called to be there for someone and sometimes we need to take the initiative.

Our presence can be the greatest gift to someone. Its impact often goes way beyond what we might ever think. Over the years I have come to realise more and more, that just being present to someone or to a group of people is all that really matters. On many occasions I didn’t have the words and didn’t know what to say but I was willing to be present and just hold the light.

This is something we can all do for each other during this current Covid-19 challenging journey. When we hold the light we are making such a difference. We may not feel the difference, but others most certainly do. Our prayer this today is thanking God for the gift of presence and the difference it makes. We also ask for God’s blessings, guidance and direction in everything we hope to do today and throughout the coming week.