Living Out The Faith

Nothing happens for nothing. Everything has a reason. Take whatever version sticks, but neither can be denied. While waiting for some students to join us for Mass yesterday, Br. Brian and I stood in the back of the church, for what turned out to be the whole Mass, since they never arrived. It's a whole different world back there...late comers, endless streams to the restrooms, mothers in and out with young children...at random times, no matter how "sacred" the moment...i.e. the consecration...and lots of post-communion departures. At least they were there and their devotion to their children was the living out of what was happening at the altar. But I could not fully chase the thoughts running through my mind from the film JESUS, that i ha watched Saturday night: thoughts of Jesus in the Garden, on the cross....hearing the Devil tempting him to abandon the Father's will with the reality that "in vain would be his suffering and death" for so many would ignore it or twist it, or just "never get it." Yet he accepted the Father's Will and went through with "the plan."
And rightly, for later in the day, I joined a large group in the same church who came for a Holy Hour (plus rosary) to pray for Divine Mercy...the never ending flood of grace that flows from the heart of Jesus. That grace was won for us on the Cross, and enables those who choose, to overcome similar temptations from Satan, and follow through with the Father's plan.
And then, even more dramatically, last evening I attended a Mass at St. Anselm Abbey church where three young adults were baptized, and confirmed and made their First Holy Communion with six other college age students who responded to that flow of grace in their lives. Their joy, enthusiasm, and understanding of the commitment they had just made filled that large church with an atmosphere that totally negated what I had experienced earlier that day. The Resurrection is REAL...living our Faith is possible. In our imperfect world, no one escapes some form of the cross or temptation, but in the end, it is Jesus who triumphs. Let us be encouraged and not lose heart.
Bro. Rene