Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

From Fr. Glenn Sudano

Thursday September 2, 2004

Dear Friends:

In the opening scene of Mel Gibson's wonderful work of art, The Passion of the Christ, we find ourselves in the Garden of Gethsemane. Everything is bathed in an eerie blue light as Our Savior is bathed in sweat. It is Christ’s hour of agony, when the invisible weight of human history sits squarely on His back - which will soon be shredded and then stretched out on a cross.

Besides His weary disciples and the traitor-led band off in the distance, another mysterious figure looms in the shadows - the enemy of our Divine Savior, the enemy of every human soul. One lone maggot, which betrays millions hidden inside, momentarily appears in an entity whose brilliance and beauty would make us faint. Yet sometime, somewhere, a choice was made against God which made this magnificent celestial being evil, ugly, and unclean.

A snake is seen slithering silently and sleekly at the feet of the blood-beaded God-man. What an extraordinary artistic portrayal of temptation. How true. Evil ideas quietly slither in and soon find a place in some dark corner or crevice of our hearts. This is why we must be careful and guard our thoughts. This is why watching most things on television is harmful. If it wasn't so dramatic and dangerous, I would recommend kicking in the screen.

When we friars began the Franciscans of the Renewal in 1987, we decided not to have a television in the friary. It was one of the best decisions we made - along with having a daily Eucharistic holy hour. When the television replaces the tabernacle or the dinner table, religious life and family life dies. Let's admit it; what once dispensed popcorn now dispenses poison.

If you consider your television as important and essential as refrigeration and indoor plumbing, something is wrong. Go ahead; pull the plug for a month. Only then might you have the perspective to see something sinister curled in the corner.

Until next time…

God bless you,

Fr. Glenn Sudano, CFR
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Fr. Glenn - Thank you for the very solid message of 9/1 on liberation from sin. In Jesus, - John, Oriskany Falls, New York

Hello Fr. Glenn! Maybe on the days that you don't have to time to write in ernest, your "computer crew" could give us bios on themselves, and all in your community. What led you all to where you are. They would be interesting no doubt, and could be prepared ahead of time. That way, no guilt!! Would be happy to know more about all of you, brothers, sisters, and the young gentlemen also! Keep up the good work. - Marie, wilton, Maine

Dear Fr. Benedict, As someone who has spent a good portion of the last 2 years on a respirator/ventilator I sympathize with what you have endured and draw strength from you ability to overcome. One of the things that helps me through the the nights here at the nursing home is listening to taped episodes of your various shows over the EWTN website on my computer. I want to thank you for all you do for me spiritually and tell you that you are in my prayers. Yours In Christ, - Martin, College Point, New York

Dearest Father Benedict: I pray that you are getting better every day. We need you so much here on earth. I just watched the final episode of your series on "Hope in the Lord". How consoling to me to know that I will see and know my loved ones who have passed on. I've always felt that our dear Loving Lord would not grant us the privilege of knowing and loving our dear ones here on earth, without being able to see and know them in heaven. Eternal Life after death is such an overwhelming mystery, and sometimes I am frightened when contemplating it, but you have dispersed some of the fog, and YOU have given me Hope in the dear Lord. God Bless you for being a Good Shepherd. May I meet and know you in Paradise .....Sincerely, Mary Ellen Young, - Corinth, Texas

Dear Father Glenn, Thank you for helping us to "carefully" keep our homes, hearts, treasure. Greetings and blessings to you, Father Benedict and all of your family. - Splinterville, Mary Land

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