August 2007          

This month I will write about our life of penance. The first name of the Franciscan order was the penitents from Assisi (more). Every vocation is an invitation to carry the cross. Jesus did not say pick up your pillow and follow me! Daily conversion is the goal here. Ascetical theology is a much neglected topic in modern times (more). Prayer, fasting, mortification, abstinence and other practices are very helpful as one strives to cooperate with God's grace. We are a reform/renewal community. I start with me - my need to convert, heal and grow. The Duh Vinci Code mocked the practice of penance by presenting the villain as an unstable albino monk who wore a tight penance chain (cilice) around his thigh. [Opus Dei's answer]

Fr. Benedict often says, "All reforms start in one place, the human heart." The essence of the messages from the Virgin Mary to various visionaries contain the same theme, "Repent and believe, the Kingdom of God is at hand!" Sounds familiar. Our rule and life is to live the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. No one wants to suffer. We are often afraid. As a vocation director I have found that modern people have trouble living their vocation because of this fear: What will it cost me?

Jesus answers: Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few (Mt 7:13-14).

If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life (Mt 16:24-26)?

Saint Paul: I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified (1 Cor 9:23-27).

Do not be afraid!

N.B. Please pray for those who will be joining seminaries or communities this September. The time before one joins can be quite intense! For those still discerning, give us a call to set up a visit. If there is anyone out there who is thinking about joining us this September, let us know ASAP!

We are praying for you and your discernment everyday, especially on Wednesdays. Let us set our hands to the plow in the Lord's vineyard and not look back! "The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor"
(1 Cor 3:8).