Take the Deadly Risk August 8

When I summon him, he shall approach me; how else should one take the deadly riskof approaching me? says the LORD. You shall be my people,and I will be your God. Jeremiah 30:21-22

When the men of that place recognized him,they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought to him all those who were sickand begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed. Matthew 14:35-36

Piety
Let us pray: God, you promise to restore us in your love despite our sins and transgressions. Help us to return that love to those we meet every day.

Despite the storms of personal crisis, Jesus, you tell us not to be afraid. We are never alone because You are always there to help us face life and death. So we approach you with arms outstretched for you to save us.

Deliver us from evil and grant us peace today. Amen.

Study
http://www.usccb.org/nab/080806.shtml

How should one take the deadly risk of approaching Jesus?

Like Jeremiah…by telling truth to power, encouraging people to change their evil ways and risk death?

Like Peter…getting out of the safety of our boat...out of the safety of our comfortable American lives, out of the safety of our comfort zone?

Like those who were sick and sought only to touch the tassel on His cloak to be healed?

If goodness comes from a close moment with Jesus, why does Jeremiah tell us that approaching Jesus is deadly? Perhaps because we have to sacrifice our life and our selves to Jesus…to die a little to live life everlasting?

Jeremiah offers us a look at the New Covenant that features a personal relationship with God and those who believe. He tells us of God who is a restorer, a rebuilder, a creator, a glorifier.

Just as we see the relationship of God to the people change in Jeremiah's prophecy, we see change occur in St. Peter as well. How different is this venture outside the boat for Peter than when Peter sees the Lord after the Resurrection (John 21)?

In the later experience, Peter is out fishing with the disciples in the early morning. They see a figure on the land who guides them to a catch of abundance. When Peter recognizes Jesus, he has no fear and needs no further invitation. He jumps into the sea feet first to approach Jesus, to come to Jesus as quickly as possible. Peter has grown beyond the limited afith he shows today...a faith where he starts sinking into the tide of problems before Jesus saves him.

God offers us a New Covenant jusat like Jesus offers Peter a life-saver. In return for His endless love and the sacrifice of His Son, God asks for our faith to be strong and firm if we are to keep our head above water with the challenges that we face. Gone are the days of fear and death. No longer is approaching God a deadly risk, instead it is a living risk. Jesus approaches us and says, “Come to me. Do not be afraid.”

Where is Jesus approaching you? What comfort zone does He want to rouse you out of? Will you get out of your boat and approach Him?

Will you respond and approach Jesus with the hesitating and sinking steps of Peter or will you jump into the water feet first at the fist sign of the Lord?

“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Action

http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=20796

Where does the Church flourish? Exactly in movements like Cursillo which complement parish life according to a recent article in America (www.america.org) by Fr. Allan Figueroa Deck, SJ. Fr. Deck writes in the article “Where laity flourish – Movements play growing role in church’s life” that:

The point is that the movements [like Cursillo] – both in the life of the local church and globally – play a growing role as mediators in the church’s life. They are thriving, viable and appealing centers of service and action. They are providing diverse contexts that appeal to a broad spectrum of people today. As such they are de facto schools of lay ecclesial leadership. And, by all accounts, they are quite successful.

Rome has been taking the lead in recognizing the reality and further potential of the movements. In 1998 then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger spoke at the World Congress of Ecclesial Movements. His way of positively interpreting the contributions of the movements was in tune with the church’s real catholicity. He stressed the need to avoid the pretense of absolute uniformity in pastoral organization and programming. He went even further, stating that the diocesan bishops must seek to harmonize unity and diversity and not confuse unity with pastoral uniformity…[I]t is in the movements (not exclusively, of course, but significantly) where lay people are finding a place to flourish.

Cursillo is blessed to have dynamic spiritual leaders among both Diocesan clergy and priests from religious orders in our area. At the diocesan/parish level, we offer thanksgiving for fellow Cursillista Bishop Paul Loverde; priests like Fr. Horace “Tuck” Grinnel, Fr. James Barkett, Fr. Bob Cilinksi, Fr. Gerry Creedon and Fr. Paul deLadurantaye; Deacons Gene Betit, Jack Ligon, and many others. In addition, we get tremendous support from clergy in religious orders like the Missionhurst Fathers (our spiritual director Fr. Mike Hann and Fr. Bill Quigley) and the Jesuits (Fr. Joe McCloskey and Fr. John Adams). Through these partnerships, we can flourish both as a movement and as a support to parishes.

How can you support parish action and Cursillo?

One time you can get out of your comfort zone and approach Jesus will be to plan to participate in our second annual 40 Hours Devotion. You can adore Jesus in the Eucharist from 7 p.m. Wednesday September 13 through 9 p.m. Friday, September 15 at St. Mary of Sorrows Eucharistic Chapel (5222 Sideburn Road, Fairfax, VA 22032).

We need at least two Cursillistas in the chapel at all hours, at least one person on the left side of the Church and another one on the right.

You can sign up on the schedule at the Cursillo web site: http://arlingtoncursillo.org/Special/200650hoursform.asp#Schedule

The schedule is wide open now but promises to fill up fast. Sign up early to get your most preferred time to spend in quiet prayer with the Lord.

He’ll be there. Will you?