Untroubled Hearts

With the month of May speeding by, Central Catholic seniors attending their last full day of school and graduating a week from today, TRANSITION comes to mind and with it the turmoil, minor or major that usually accompanies it. Our students are mixed between the joy of accomplishment, the promise of the future, and sadness at ending a four-year routine, and the fear that comes with anticipating the unknown. Teachers also, expressed or unexpressed, share these feelings. Jesus tells all of us, no matter what we are facing today, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me." (Jn 14: 1). He spoke these words as he was preparing to return to the father, knowing that his absence would cause turmoil in the hearts of he beloved friends and disciples. It is necessary to know that in life's transitions, Jesus remains present, and like a friend helping another leap over a wall, is there to help us over life's humps. When St. Marcellin died at the early age of 51, tears filled the eyes of the brothers who surrounded him in his final moments. Br. Francois accepted his role as the new leader and moved ahead, accomplishing great things as superior general for the next 20 years. When Bro. Florentius died even before ground had been broken for the permanent home of Central Catholic on Auburn Street, anxiety levels must have risen among the faculty, yet on went construction and "the rest of the story", as we know it. So, truly there is never any cause for troubled hearts, if we stop, remember the presence of Jesus and recall his admonition, "Do not let your hearts be troubled....have faith." "It's gonna be good", as a Lakota friend on the Pine Ridge Reservation was fond of saying.
Bro. Rene