December 2006

May the Lord give you His peace! Pax et bonum. A blessed Advent to all of you ...

This month I would like to write about the generosity and selflessness needed to live any vocation. I was able to watch a private screening of The Nativity Story in Times Square the other night. It was made with obvious devotion. I want to rename the movie, "The Story of Saint Joseph." The character of Saint Joseph is absolutely amazing - very inspiring. The movie fleshes out the cost of saying yes to God's plan, to a vocation. Saint Joseph was so faithful!

I have had several conversations with religious and married people on the topic of the generosity and selflessness needed to live any vocation. Most of us grew up in a comfortable culture of selfishness (The Me Generation). We tend to be comfortable, soft and pampered. I caught myself getting angry the other day when we did not have any milk in the refrigerator! We are used to always getting our way. Fr. Groeschel recently told me, "The problem with your generation is that you do not know how to suffer, persevere in hard times, be generous and selfless." He is correct. What happens when you grow up so very self-centered? It is hard to die to self, give without counting the cost, be joyful in suffering, etc. WE NEED SAINT FRANCIS, THE LITTLE POOR ONE. Inspired to invent the tradition of the Christmas Creche, Saint Francis loved the poverty of Bethlehem!

My brothers, pray for and try to cultivate the virtues of generosity and selflessness (giving in love). This is an essential element needed to live any vocation. Christmas is not about what gifts I am receiving. The only words of Jesus not found in the four Gospels are important words, "It is better to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35 St. Paul quoting Jesus). Our Lady and Saint Joseph lived this reality. Christmas is a great time to reflect on these virtues. What a wonderful time to serve others, Jesus in the poor. Bl. Mother Teresa once said, "Give what God takes, take what God gives - with a smile. Give until it hurts."

 

N.B. As you may know, we take a very informal approach to men visiting and discerning the CFRs (no pressure)! The official "two-week visit" for those men hoping to join us as Postulants in September 2007, will be July 16-30, 2007 (We are flexible if you can not make those dates). You may come early for the New York Youth 2000 Major Event, July 13-15. Please let us know if you are seriously praying about joining next years class.

N.B. Men in Europe: We are planning a vocation discernment weekend at St. Fidelis Friary, Canningtown, East London, England. It will be on February 16-18, 2007. Please contact Br. John Paul if you are interested:
tel. 207 474-0766

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).