Author: ra

The Family of the Redeemer

In his sixth and final talk in his series on Redemptorist charism and spirituality, Fr Greg May reflects on how we all are invited to the “family of the Redeemer” and what that means for us, in particular, as Redemptorists and Redemptorist associates.

Fr Greg has kindly provided access to a recording of his presentation as well as a copy of his notes to his group at St Michael’s church in Chicago. The video presentation may be found at: THE FAMILY OF THE REDEEMER. Fr Greg’s notes may be found at: Family of The Redeemer Notes.

Redemptorist Saints and Blesseds

In the fifth talk in his series on Redemptorist charism and spirituality, Fr Greg May highlights the lives of the many Redemptorist saints, blesseds, and venerables recognized by the church for their exemplary faith, perseverance and holiness.  

Fr Greg has kindly provided access to a recording of his presentation to his group at St Michael’s church in Chicago. The video presentation may be found at: REDEMPTORIST SAINTS AND BLESSEDS.

Desert Reflections: Celebrating the life of St Teresa of Avila

“God alone suffices” – St. Teresa of Avila, image :Peter Paul Rubens artist QS:P170,Q5599 David Monniaux, Teresa of Avila dsc01644, CC BY-SA 3.0

The message Fr Jim hears both from today’s readings as well as from the life of St Teresa of Avila is to go “back to the basics.” For St Paul, it is opening our eyes to the God who is all around us. For Jesus, it is cleaning our hearts from the inside by caring for others. For St Teresa, it is bringing herself (and her order) back to a simple focus on God. What, Fr Jim wonders, will going “back to the basics” be for us today?

Today’s Readings

I am not ashamed of the Gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.
ROM 1:16-25

“But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.”
LK 11:37-41

Desert Reflections: Celebrating life!

Fr Ed notes that October is “respect – and celebrate – life month.  Today’s readings are all about honoring the sacredness of every moment of every person’s life – rich or poor, resident or alien, younger or older. It’s the perfect day to celebrate Harriet Lewandowski’s 100th birthday.  Happy birthday Harriet!

Today’s Readings

Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times at the word of Elisha, the man of God. His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean of his leprosy.
2 KGS 5:14-17

This saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him we shall also live with him.
2 TM 2:8-13

And one of [the lepers], realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. 
LK 17:11-19

Desert Reflections: God’s ways and our ways

The Prophet Jonah before the Walls of Nineveh, c. 1655, Rembrandt [Public domain]
Jonah discovers that God’s is willing to forgive any who repent – even, Fr Jim notes, if they’re our worst enemies.  Jesus points out in today’s gospel that God expects us, too, to forgive generously – even when we’d rather not. 

Today’s Readings

Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry that God did not carry out the evil he threatened against Nineveh… [Then the LORD asked Jonah:] “Should I not be concerned over Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons?”
JON 4:1-11

“Father … forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us.”
LK 11:1-4

Desert Reflections: Martha and Mary

attributed to Georg Friedrich Stettner († 1639), Georg Friedrich Stettner (attr) Christus im Hause der Martha, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons

Fr Tony recounts the story of a nun who tells her superior, St Teresa of Avila, about a vision she was experiencing that made her want to stay the whole day in the chapel. “That’s nice,” St Teresa points out, “but you still have to peel the potatoes tonight.” As St Teresa understood, we are called to be both “Mary” and “Martha.” Listening and doing go together.

Today’s Readings

When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out.
JON 3:1-10

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”
LK 10:38-42

Desert Reflections: Who is my neighbor?

Parable of the Good Samaritan by Balthasar van Cortbemde (1647) shows the Good Samaritan tending the injured man while the Levite and priest are also shown in the distance. [Balthasar van Cortbemde artist QS:P170,Q21345062, Balthasar van Cortbemde – The Good Samaritan, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons]
Fr Peter points out that, like the priest and the Levite in today’s gospel, many still pass by those in need – sometimes even those in life-threatening need. How will we respond the next time we see someone in need? Will we move on? Or will we stop – struck by the fact our neighbor in need bears the face of Jesus – and offer our help?

Today’s Readings

This is the word of the LORD that came to Jonah, son of Amittai:”Set out for the great city of Nineveh, and preach against it; their wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah made ready to flee to Tarshish away from the LORD.
JON 1:1–2:1-2, 11

“And who is my neighbor?”
LK 10:25-37

Desert Reflections: God is never late

“God is seldom early, but never late.” – Mother Teresa [ Image: Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, Mother Teresa 1, CC BY-SA 2.0]
Fr Jim points out that at some point we may all, like Habakkuk, wonder if God is listening. But God does not abandon Habakkuk, and he will not abandon us. His grace is always ready to provide the help we need in time to face any situation – if we have faith.

Today’s Readings

How long, O LORD?  I cry for help but you do not listen… Then the LORD answered me and said… [Help] will surely come, it will not be late… The just one, because of his faith, shall live.
HAB 1:2-3; 2:2-4

God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. 
2 TM 1:6-8, 13-14

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” 
LK 17:5-10

 

Desert Reflections: Celebrating the life of St Francis

Francis and the wolf. [Image: Carl Weidemeyer-Worpswede [Public domain]]
Fr Jim recounts the likely apocryphal story of St Francis’ taming the Wolf of Gubbio. What is not apocryphal, however, is that St Francis could see and honor the presence of God in all things. Animals, plants, the elements, the sun and moon – and even death – were his brothers and sisters. He calls upon us to honor and cherish them as our brother and sisters, too.

Today’s Readings

“Justice is with the Lord, our God.”
BAR 1:15-22

“Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”
LK 10:13-16

Desert Reflections: Bringing peace, faith and healing

Jesus commissions 72 disciples in today’s gospel. Like the 72, Fr Tony points out, Jesus commissions us to bring God’s peace, faith and healing to ourselves and to all that we meet on our journey to the kingdom.

Today’s Readings

[Ezra] read out of the book [of the law of Moses] from daybreak until midday, in the presence of the men, the women, and those children old enough to understand.
NEH 8:1-4A, 5-6, 7B-12

Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit.
LK 10:1-12