Gentle Shepherds

Another post-resurrection apparition today and a saint who followed the Master's gentle and compassionate understanding, St. Anselm.
 Jesus comes upon the tired disciples who had been fishing all night without a catch, and tells them where to cast their net again.  It miraculously fills so full with fish that they cannot pull it in.  Peter, in a burst of his typical enthusiasm, leaps out of the boat and rushes to the shore where he finds Jesus preparing fish and bread.  The others arrived and feast on the breakfast served by their Master. How this meal must have warmed and assured their hearts that Jesus still cared so much for them.
St. Anselm, in like manner, while upholding monastic discipline for himself and his monks, nevertheless won hearts by his care and compassion. One story is told of how, through kindness, he won back a young monk who had left the monastery to live on his own, but responded to Anselm's loving outreach to him and returned to the community.  Anselm even cared for him personally when he took ill, and guided him to a happy death.
The message is clear...simple things, like preparing a meal or visiting the sick, or attending a wake or funeral can have a significant impact and remind people that God is present and caring through our presence and actions.
Bro. Rene