All things New

Note: Back from an inspiring day at the University of Notre Dame and an energizing experience of Brotherhood with a heart full of gratitude and wonder at God's goodness (again!)

As we move deeper into Lent, the notion of renewal and new life through faith fortified by the miracles of Jesus inspires us to "ramp up" our efforts to live the three pillars of the season, prayer, fasting and service with a "kick" as a runner enters the final lap of a long race and sprints to the finish line.  Isaiah speaks about this when he lures us with images of the "new creation":  "Lo, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; The things of the past shall not be remembered/ or come to mind./ Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness/ in what I create/;/ For I create Jerusalem to be a joy/ and its people to be a delight;/"   No longer the sound of weeping and crying; vineyards flourishing and people eating  grapes and drinking  wine  (Cf. Is 65: 17-21).
A happy, optimistic picture of what God can do, and what he asks us to join with him in creating.
This weekend while 215 brothers from a multitude of congregations gathered to reflect in their identity and mission, and give each other a "shot in the arm," student delegates from our Marist Schools shared a similar experience of renewal and "what can be" in Esopus, New York in preparation of the World Wide Marist Day of Service coming up on Wednesday.  Power, testimony, Experience, Prayer blended to help these students return to their schools with vigor and zeal to continue the celebration of the 200th anniversary of our Marist Brotherhood and Charism in service to the least favored.  Isaiah's prophecy holds true through our personal renewal and communal efforts. We can make and are making "all things new."
Bro. Rene