I was so moved by a reflection that one of our volunteers, Kate Uberti, shared with me, I wanted to share it with you too. Kate is a spiritual care companionship volunteer and mentor for new volunteers here at the Care Center. Kate shared a prayer called the Pietà that I encourage you to look up if you feel so inclined, however it was the poetic way she spoke of the Pietà sculpture by Michelangelo that I wanted to share today.
She shared with me, when you look at the picture of the sculpture it may be used as symbolism for the many challenges that Mary faced. That there is a spot where there is a void, where art historians say represents the absence of life, and the beginning (and end) of Christ’s earthly journey. She shared, “There is symbolism in the weight Mary holds of Jesus. The weight of losing her mortal son – her Divine child’s mortality. Many of us can relate to the weight of grief.”
There were so many beautiful metaphors present in this work of art, but what moved me most was when Kate spoke of Mary’s hands.
“She embraces the reality of death with her right hand as she embraces Jesus – as she holds her son. And her left hand is turned upward. Her left hand is outstretched as if to say, ‘See my pain, see my sadness. Witness what has happened here…what IS happening here.’”
Kate shared that this is what our patients are asking someone to witness every day here. “They are symbolically turning their hands toward us. They are asking us in different ways, sometimes not in words. Whether they ask it of their family, their friends, us as volunteers or the staff; they are asking us to bear witness to their pain, sadness, and grief…what they are experiencing.”
Thank you for that reflection, Kate. With thanks for all the work our volunteers do every day to witness.
