As we turn the calendar today, a short month comes up, but one full of challenges. Hopes fall on Punxsutawney Phil not to see his shadow so that spring will come sooner than if he sees his it. How accurate? Not clear, but a light distraction from the usual February Blues that can emerge from gray days, cold, Lent, and illness. Despite our daily prayers, often "done" too fast and not from the heart, we slide away from our relationship with Jesus and Mary, and travel on "automatic pilot." A Marist Young Adult, Danny Chomat, from Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, and now at Notre Dame, wrote a telling blog about this very thing. When he found his encounter cross in his bag and not around his neck, it symbolized for him the disconnect he was experiencing with his relationship with Mary and the spirituality that flows from her and gives life to us. Putting on the cross, and taking time to make a short retreat helped him to get back on course. It's funny how even externals, such as the weather, can "get us down", or how a reminder of a deep spiritual experience, such as an Encounter cross, can pick us up. We all have such token reminders of past experiences or people that helped us experience a closeness to God. Perhaps "dusting them off" or paying attention to them during this month will help us meet February's challenges with strength and confidence. Thanks, Danny, for reminding us of the simple things we have at our fingertips that can help us grow in our faith and relationship with Jesus and Mary.
Bro. Rene
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