Two days before Ash Wednesday I finished reading THE ORPHAN COLLECTOR by Ellen Marie Wiseman, an historical novel situated in Pennsylvania during the flu epidemic at the end of the First World War. While the plot and characterization were engaging, there were times I wanted to put the book down. The horror and evil disguised as virtue did not make the book a page-turner. But I persevered to the end and decided to get more books by Wiseman.

I received an unintended result of this reading. It made me more conscious of the hidden evil in the world that needs reparation and change. Meditating on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the rosary a day later brought to mind episodes of the novel that made me wonder and be more aware of what may be happening now behind a façade of charity. For example, I happened to read about illegal mining in South Africa that exploits girls and women forcing them to “marry” if they want to survive. Mines there have not been properly closed and have become places where children play. The short account of present-day evils in one country made me more aware of the Sorrowful Mysteries happening today around the world—perhaps right under our noses.

This Lent as we reflect on the pain and injustice inflicted upon Jesus, let us raise our consciousness of His suffering today in his people.