Fr. John Connor, LC Shares the Objectives and Mission of the Upcoming General Convention
Fr. John Connor, LC Shares the Objectives and Mission of the Upcoming General Convention Read More »
Dear Valerie,
Roommate problems are golden opportunities. I’m not being glib. You don’t get along with your roommate; you’re natural opposites; she gets on your nerves and does bad things. Welcome to the world! Your roommate probably says the exact same things about you (though she probably says you do “weird” things, not “bad” things). You have been enduring this onerous situation for almost a whole year. Why not change tactics for the last two months of school and TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT? Do so by following the example of today’s saint.
He grew up tending his father’s sheep, but had an ardent desire to better himself. So he learned to read (no minor feat in those days). That only increased his desire to grow intellectually and spiritually, so he entered a nearby monastery. He ended up moving on to another monastery, and then another, and another, always in search of a more demanding rule of life. Finally, after having served as abbot, he and a companion were chosen to evangelize the pagans in Picardy (northern France). They built a church and a couple of monastic cells and dedicated themselves to prayer, penance, and preaching, with great effect.
The mark of his life, however, was his behavior inside the monasteries for all those years. He meekly and cheerfully subjected himself to everyone, always ready to learn from them and to forgive their imperfections. This was his motto and favorite piece of advice: “The more cheerfully we give to those who are in distress, the more readily will God give us what we ask of him.”
That is someone who has learned how to follow Christ. If your roommate is really as bad as you say she is, I can guarantee that it’s because her soul is in distress – she’s looking for fulfillment in all the wrong places. If during these last weeks of the semester you can begin seeing her as Christ sees her, and treating her as Christ would treat her (which will not be easy, so you’ll have to keep your crucifix handy for inspiration), you just might be able to help open a crack in the armor of her soul, so that God’s grace can seep in and invigorate her.
It’s worth a shot. At the very least it will make your selfish groans give way to growth in selflessness.
Your loving uncle,
Eddy
Matthew 28:8-15
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’ And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.
Introductory Prayer: Lord, you are the source of all life because you are life itself. Your resurrection from the dead gives me the hope of being raised from the dead to rejoice with you forever in heaven. I need to dwell more often on the good you have done for us and on your promises to those who put their trust in you. Thank you, Jesus, for taking up your life again and leading the way home to heaven. I love you, and I want to follow after you with all my heart. I want to cooperate more fully with you in bringing many others there with me.
Petition: Lord, as a fruit of my experiencing your love, grant me the grace of witnessing to you.
Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, thank you for this time I have spent with you in prayer and contemplation of your Resurrection. Help me always to grow and mature in my faith. Without it I am lost. Without it I am unable to see you, and if I cannot see you, how will I be able to follow you? I place my trust in you and your promise of eternal life.
Resolution: I will make a special effort to speak well of others today, especially those with whom I may disagree.
April 1, 2024 – The Supreme Measure of Paschal Joy Read More »