A Heart in Need of Healing

Bless us, O God, in this holy season, in which our hearts seek

your help and healing; and so purify us by your discipline

that we may grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord

and Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and

the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

There could've been no more vivid depiction of a heart tested by life's circumstances and reaching out for healing than the magnificent Olympic figure-skating performance of Canada's 24 year old Joannie Rochette last evening. Blogger Cloe Angyal (Feministing) describes it: "Last night, the world watched in wonder as Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette took to the ice in Vancouver and skated her short program before a roaring home crowd. The program, which earned Rochette the highest score of her skating career, put her in third place going into the long program. Rochette's mother, Therese, [age 55] had died suddenly of a heart attack two days earlier. I cannot begin to imagine how Joannie Rochette managed to get out of bed, let alone go to practice. How she found the strength to get out on the ice and compete in front of a television audience of millions, and skate with such grace and poise, is completely beyond me. When the music ended and Rochette had struck her final pose, she burst into tears, and the world joined in her grief and mourning as she bowed to the crowd, as her father looked on, crying. It was a heart wrenching Olympic moment..."

Blessings, prayers, and bonne chance for Joannie, and her father, Normand, as she bravely completes her Olympic skating program this week. God's peace to Therese whose close presence and love are surely very much with Joannie and her dad.