Bethany (we'll call her), lady of winsome manner, blond

and just past thirty, who leads Taizé services out of the

Episcopal church three time-zones away from me, almost

whispers to her YouTube congregation, "Let us rest

in the silence of God." I look at her, and I briefly wonder

if she isn't a bit too thin. Am I discerning twin creases

of illness between her cheekbones and jaw? I say a

quick silent prayer for her health, as my default is to

imagine catastrophe where perhaps there's none.