Death & Destruction >> Annunciation

Painting by Macha Chmakoff 

This was a very strange day.

It began with death and by the end there was a herald of destruction.

DEATH

This morning I needed to stop at the ATM to get cash since I was heading into the office and my wallet was empty. Unfortunately, the ATM is not exactly on my route to work. I mulled over my route options and reluctantly took one. As I pulled out of the bank, I heard sirens and saw the fire chief's SUV pass by in the direction I had almost gone.

Photo by Kent Pierce

When I got to the office, I checked the news and discovered that a car had been hit by a school bus (!) at the intersection near my alternate ATM location. And it had happened about the time I was heading towards the ATM. That was were the fire chief was apparently heading. Sadly, the woman driver of the car had been killed. It sort of shook me up that I had almost been at that intersection when the crash occurred. The accident happened at a spot I pass through frequently in traveling to/from the grocery store (the ATM is across the street).

Even more bizarrely, the accident was disturbingly similar to the accident that killed my mother-in-law two years ago. Both women, both were hit broadside at the driver's door by larger vehicles, both were killed almost instantly, both worked at private schools, both accidents happened close to their home, and both women apparently contributed to their own demise. The police are speculating that the woman may have been blinded by the morning sun and may not have seen the traffic light was red.

It got to me because I might have been there had I selected the other ATM. Kinda too close to home.

DESTRUCTION

Work was depressing today. I went in specifically to meet with a project manager to plan for getting a major new project underway. Chaos and distractions...disappointed and frustrated.

And to top off my day, when I got home I learned that a Massachusetts judge awarded permanent custody of  Justina Pelletier to the State Department of Children and Families (DCF) instead of returning her to her family in Connecticut. This sends a message that the state can take away anyone's child provided that they give a medical reason (i.e., parents are losing their rights). This is very ominous to me for the future of the family unit in the United States. The family is being destroyed.

This situation started when the doctors and psychologists at Boston Children's hospital came to a different diagnosis (Somatic Symptom Disorder) than the diagnosis she had previously received from Tufts University School of Medicine Hospital doctors (mitochondrial disease). BCH requested that the commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Children and Families protect and remove the patient from her parent's custody and the girl was made a ward of the state of Massachusetts. Subsequently, Justina Pelletier was held in a locked psychiatric ward, Bader 5, from February 14, 2013 until January 2014 when she was transferred to Wayside Youth and Family Support Network, a residential treatment center.

Even though this family is reportedly Catholic, the church has (as usual) been silent. Instead, conservative, traditional protestants have stepped up to support the Pelletiers in their struggle.

ANNUNCIATION

I didn't realize it until later that this day was the Feast of the Annunciation. I'm not sure if that is significant but considering today's events it seemed like it was an odd coincidence at least. The painting above is by Macha Chmakoff.

Annunciation. A story in the Gospel according to Luke. God announces to Mary that she will be the mother of a holy child who will be called the Son of God.  A few things stand out to me.

1. This was a threat to the life of Mary. As a betrothed woman, becoming pregnant before the final marriage was consummated was evidence of adultery. The penalty for proven adultery was DEATH by stoning.

The angel told Mary, "Do not be afraid (fear not) for you have found favor with God...The Lord is with you."
Wow! A reasonable response would be 'you've got to be kidding.'

2. The angel told Mary, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. With God nothing is impossible." (i.e., God is in charge. Providence will rule).

3. Mary responded, "Let it be with me according to your word." She accepted what God had put into her life.

The Beatles song, Let It Be, echoes these words and this situation (see below). Paul McCartney wrote it after a dream about his mother (whose name was Mary). Although he does not explain the song as religiously inspired, knowing the story of the Annunciation it is difficult not to see a connection.

"When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be"

This was something of a dark day for me (although not overtly so) but there seems to be a message here: Let it be-God is in charge. Fear not!

Peace.

Links:

http://www.crisismagazine.com/2014/when-the-government-takes-your-children
https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Miracle-for-Justina/253343311469595
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annunciation
http://www.chmakoff.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let_It_Be_(song)

Written Sunday 4 May 2014 (revised Th5/8/14 - added to Annunciation)