Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

From Trinity Retreat

Thursday July 22, 2004

As I made my rounds of different hospitals and treatment centers recently, I had an opportunity to meet on a very close level with people of different religions and backgrounds. Almost without exception I was treated with great kindness and respect. Ninety percent addressed me as Father and ten percent as Reverend, which is a perfectly accepted alternative. It made me think how God’s grace pervades the world. We Catholics, along with a number of other religious denominations, think that God takes care of us first and that other people are rather on the outside, although they might make it to eternal life. These religions are convinced that they are the true religion, as we are convinced that we are the true Church.
I am absolutely convinced that we are the true Church because we couldn't’t go on if we were’t. On the other hand, I think our view of God is rather narrow-minded. He loves all His children. He seeks the salvation of all, and Christ came for the salvation of all. It changes your view of reality. This is one of the things that the Pope has tried to stress in his twenty-five years as he worked so hard for ecumenism and received the leaders of so many religious denominations.
He recently received the members of the Bruderhof, an Anabaptist group with roots in the earliest days of the Reformation. He had beautiful things to say to them about their sincerity and commitment to Gospel life. Surely God is concerned about them as He is about all His children. This is something we need to keep in mind. I include here not only His Christian children but all His children regardless of denomination. While it is necessary for a person who believes in Christ and in the Catholic faith to enter the Church and be loyal to it, that does not limit God in His seeking for the salvation of souls. I always think of the words of Jesus, “I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice” (John 10:16). It was my impression during my months in the hospital that a great many people there saw themselves as children of God. A great many others, who didn't’t think about it, are actually struggling as best they can to do good and follow God’s will. For them all I say everyday, “Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Let us continue to pray for each other!

Father Benedict
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Dear Father Benedict and all the Friars, Thank you for continuing this section of your website. It is an inspiration to me, and I look forward to reading the messages every day. The internet can be a very scary place, but your site is a sanctuary. Praise God for your recovery, and God Bless you and all the people who gather together here daily on this website. - Judith, Friendswood, Texas

Dear Father Benedict: Thank you for your e-mail re the availability of your books on the website. I am selfishly taking this opportunity to reply to your e-mail (if the mysteries of cyberspace allow you to receive such replies) to let you know how much you have meant to me on my journey "Home." I completed RCIA in the spring and am slowly making my way through the paperwork required to obtain a declaration of nullity so that I may be fully received into the Church. Not bad for a conservative Presbyterian! In the meantime I read, attend mass, and wait for the day when I can be a full communing member. Please pray for me, my wife Marla who is interested but not as far along in her journey as I, and our children that we may all know Jesus better and better. We pray for you, your continued healing, and strengthening. Your friend in Alabama, - Jim,

Dear Fr. Ben, I pray for you daily,and always remember what a guy in my 12 step group always says: God doesn't care about our abilities or disabilities, just our availably! I make myself available to reach out to those people who are still suffering, the poor in spirit! Be Well, Stay Safe & Go Slow, - Frank, Carmichael, California

Dear Fr. Benedict, I'm so glad to learn that your books are now available through your website. And I'm ever so thankful to the Almighty for your recovery. May you be strengthened spiritually and physically more and more every day. I am, In Christ, Jamie DeViese, A Seminarian thankful for your ministry.

Dear Father Groeschel, Thank you for your e-mail. Good to hear from you. I pray that you are doing better each day in this your long recovery after the accident. I was not aware of your books, therefore I have not had the pleasure of reading any as of today and hope to read one or more in the very near future. I am a fairly new viewer of EWTN (about a year or so), however I do so enjoy and appreciate all of the programs on EWTN so very much! Father Groeschel, thank you so much for your ministry. May our beloved heavenly Father continue to heal your body each day a bit more than the day before. Sincerely, - Maria, Your sister in Christ

Dear Fr. Benedict We in The Bahamas can watch your programmers on Cable TV. God bless you for all the marvelous work that you do for the Kingdom of God ! Your simple, down-to-earth talks really inspire and uplift all who see your programs ! We all pray for you: please, also, pray for us. - Francis,

Dear Father Benedict, Each morning I read your daily reflections and I am so thankful for these inspiring's messages. Catholics have a tendency to take their faith for granted and remain dormant about their faith. Several days ago you wrote about anti-Catholic media, evil entertainment, etc. We need these reminders because all of us are called to teach the faith especially to members of our own family, friends and parishioners. I will look for your books on your website. I continue to pray for your recovery. Blessings to you, - Alvina, Spearfish South Dakota

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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