A few days ago, I took a break from my busy schedule and found peace and solace in this place, surrounded by a mixture of ages --- from young students to the elderly --- all silently fingering their rosaries or simply gazing upon their Savior, all as usual.
One old woman slowly came in and made her way into the pew ahead of me, her eyes deep set into her beautifully aged skin, remnants of her once beautiful and full hair escaping from her winter beret. She settled into her silent prayer, as I imagine she had done every day for nearly a century.
Suddenly, her silent prayer became audible; she breathed, “Wiesz.” “You know.”
This was not the formal way to address the Lord, as is normally used in the Polish language, “Pan wie.” “Sir, You know.”
Rather, this was the familial form, as a child would address his/her father.
Again she breathed, “O, Jezu, wiesz.” “O, Jesus, Father, You know.”
“Jesus, Father --- you know my sufferings,
You know my joy,
You know when my heart is heavy,
And when my heart is light and full.
When I am too weary to know what to say,
You know my soul.
You know what’s in my heart, what’s in my mind.
You know my troubles, my problems, my temptations.
You know the darkest spaces of my soul.
You know what I do and don’t do.
You know the desires of my heart more than I do.
You know when I am too full of joy to say or think anything.
You know ME.”
How beautiful to know that He knows you unlike any other person can know you.
Rest in this knowing.
Find peace in this knowing.
Ask to share in this knowing.
Ask Him to tell you what you need, what He wants you to do.
Ask Him to help you to know yourself --- your soul ---
Ask Him to guide you through your dark places,
But also your joys and what fills you.
Ask Him to show you the peace, joy, and truth He knows is possible for you.
He knows all He wants for you,
And it breaks His heart when you are unwilling to know Him.
Jezu, wiesz.
Jesus, You know.
Help me to know You, too.
Help me to know You so well that I never doubt you, your great plans for me,
And all the blessings you so long to give me.
Help me to know every aspect of You,
Help me to know you as My God, My Savior, My Rock, My Father.
Each day help me to know You more, Jesus.
Help me to know you in the Scriptures,
But also in the souls of others ---
My family, friends, brothers, and sisters ---
The poor, the stranger, the suffering,
in the cries for help that surround me ---
Help me to know You in all.
Help me, Father, as You know me,
Help me know You.
Amen.