Centered On Jesus

The motto of the Marist Brothers and of Central Catholic is: "All to Jesus through Mary." We often omit the second part, which is an echo and reinforcement of the first: "All to Mary for Jesus." Both focus on Jesus; Mary is the vehicle to Jesus as she was for Jesus to come to us. She is the mother of the Son of God, the means though which God showed his infinite love for us, but it is the Son who is the center of this relationship and hence, of this motto. It is through the Son, through Jesus, that "we live and move and have our being"(cf. Col 1: 15-20), and it is to him that our words and actions should be directed. Mary's loving and nourishing nature as mother helps us to do this. And I've found recently, that in imitation of her, if we do ALL with love, with love for her Son, as she did, the most distasteful and burdensome tasks, or difficult relationships take on a new light and bring joy to all involved. Love has been called the most powerful force in the universe...truly, since God is Love, so when ALL our actions are done and our words are spoken with love, they carry a power that can overcome all resistance, frustration, difficulty and evil. "Love conquers all", the old adage reminds us, and is proven true over and over again. When we add "for Jesus", that is, "love for Jesus conquers all", our steps spring more lightly, joy fills us and spreads to others and nothing can stop us. ALL to JESUS!
Bro. Rene