From
Trinity Retreat Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,
From
Trinity Retreat
Thursday, June 17, 2004
For religious people, for those with faith in a good God, life is mysterious.
For those who have not been blessed with faith, life is not mysterious; it is
a hopeless tangle.
On one side we have the mystery of the divine will and God’s knowledge
and His will that we be saved and come to His everlasting kingdom. On the other
side there is the hopelessness and tragedy of the human situation, and the fact
that even the happiest of lives is going to come to an end. It’s a matter
of choosing which God you believe in: the heavenly Father, who watches out even
for the sparrows; or an evil genie, who made the world only to frustrate people
and make them unhappy.
What about the idea that there is no God? It seems impossible to understand
that everything might have happened by chance. If the world had come into existence
by chance and still exist as it does, it would mean that a hundred tornadoes
would have had to hit a hundred junkyards at the same time and that the result
would be a hundred perfectly assembled 747 airplanes. That’s an absurd
thought. I think the only answer that really works is that God is the Father
of the world and that He will bring good out of it for His children, for whom
He made it.
Let us continue to pray for each other!
Father Benedict
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Dear Father Benedict, You are looking so much stronger.
And your color is great. A sign your body is healing. As I read your e-mails
an old expression of my dear departed Irish mother comes to mind," It's
hell to be popular." And that you are. I am so excited that this form of
communication will continue as we need to hear the truth from someone. So many
in authority seem fearful to tell people what they need to hear. Thank God we
have some brave priests who are willing to put their life on the line. My day
is not complete without visiting your site. Thank everyone involved for this
evangilizing site.
Love in Christ, - Mary, Niagara region, New York
Dear Father Benedict, If you are going to have a pity party, please invite me. A party is a party. Maybe it gets started out wrong...tears are shed, there is alot of heavyness in the air, but a party is a party and at lease one of us is going to have a good time. And who knows it just might be contagious!! - Mary, Owensboro, Kentucky
Good morning Father, I have decided to start serving "humble pie" at my pity parties. It is strange but sometimes just reading the other e-mails and hearing the struggle and pain that comes through the words of many, it helps me to persevere. The message that you sent about not really being "home" as our real home is in heaven helped me tremondously and I have shared this with many others who also found comfort in those words. You are in my daily rosary and I will continue to pray for you and Mother Angelica. Suggestion for the website: I love the "Dear Abbey" suggestion. Also how about teaching the Baltimore Catechism, starting with the very first basic question and building from there. You could also set up a live chat and announce the times for people to log in. Or, post the life of a saint and how it relates to our struggles in these times. I would love the details from the "old" Butler's Lives of the Saints before they took out the supernatural aspects of their lives. Have I made your head spin yet? Ohy-vay! - Kathy, Rochester, New York
Dear Fr Groschel and all those who make your web site possible, I have not written for some time as I have been inspired by your messages and the e-mails from all over the world. Last week I hit bottom, very depressed and feeling sorry for poor me. I was having my own "pity party", minus the tea. My cure was to drive 100 miles to spend some time a St. Cecelia's Church, Algona, Iowa. They have Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Such a humbling experience - I came home renewed and full of joy. I continue to pray daily for you and yours. - Dee, Clarion, Iowa
Dear Father, It is so wonderful to see how well you are doing. Through your illness God has shown you another way in which you can remain close to all of us who love you so much. The internet has frequently been misued by many people, and has even led some people into sinful behavior. But Our Lord has allowed you to use this powerful tool to draw souls closer to him. What a blessing! Several topics that may be discussed on the website are the feelings of fear and loss of control many people feel as a result of terrorism (particularly here in New York)and to continue your extremely consoling discussions of the meaning and value of suffering. We Love you Father! Keepbs Ferry, New York on getting better and stronger every day! God Bless You! - Marge, Dobbs Ferry, New York
Dear Father Benedict, I am so happy that you and the friars feel that you've gotten such a good response to the website. Jesus uses all of our weaknesses, including your accident and illness, to bring as many of His children home to His heavenly Father. My suggestion to add to your website would be a link to the the daily readings of the Gospel, along with a brief homily, or even the readings of the Liturgy of the Hours, along with a small inspirational message based upon those readings. I love your new tape, A Reason to Believe. As with all of your tapes, it is uplifting and gives one so much to think and pray about. Thank you Father. - Mary, Bayside, New York
Father, I check on your progress every day and remember you in my daily prayers. It's amazing how far you've come....from the grips of death, so to speak. In this world filled with such sadness and suffering, it's good to hear someone tell us to take it to the cross. My foster mother, Lucy, used to always tell me that. If you and your brothers would be so kind, please pray for my son who is in the Army and perhaps, will be sent to Iraq in August or September. It's hard to imagine getting through the day after that happens, but I know, God, in His infinite wisdom, will help me along the way. Just as He's helped you. We love you, Father Ben. - Kathy, Morgan City, Los Angelas
