Humble Yourselves

April 25, 2008

Feast of Saint Mark, evangelist

So, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15

Piety

Lord, we know that you and the Father work through different men in different ways. There is a variety of gifts, but always the same God who achieves His purposes through them. Please work through the Holy Spirit and the team for the 116^th Men’s Cursillo to reach the candidates with your message to be loved and to love. Send them forth from this weekend into the world to proclaim the Good News to all. Amen.

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/042508.shtml

Sometimes, a story reaches me just in the right time to use it. Today, it was through an e-mail from my group member Marty Merlo. He passed on the following story which is appropriate in light of today’s readings. You may have read this in any number of places on the web (the exact attribution is hard to determine). In light of Peter’s call for us to be humble and to “cast our worries” upon the Lord, this story is very timely.

We All Need A Tree

I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, and he had just finished a rough first day on the job: a flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric drill quit and his ancient one ton truck refused to start.

While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.

When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. His face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.

Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.

'Oh, that's my trouble tree,' he replied 'I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, those troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care of them. Then in the morning I pick them up again. Funny thing is,' he smiled, 'when I come out in the morning to pick 'em up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.'

God Bless,

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

Our anonymous author’s plumber has obviously taken to heart the message Peter is sending to us today. “Resist (evil), steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ (Jesus) will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little.” 1 Peter 5:9-10

Our task is not just an internal struggle. After we overcome those forces working upon our lives, then we must go out into the world as Peter did, as active witnesses to the Gospel of Love.

Action

http://arlingtoncursillo.org/cursillossubweb/m116/m116.htm

The Men’s 116^th Cursillo for the Diocese of Arlington is taking place this weekend.

We greatly appreciate your Palanca, especially your assistance at cleanup after the Closing on Sunday and the Reception of the new Cursillistas back into the community. Your notes to the Cursillistas expressing your Palanca are also most welcome. Palanca may be carried to Josephite Pastoral Center where the weekend is taking place.

Mañanita will be at the Josephite Pastoral Center, Sunday, April 27, at 7:00 a.m., 1200 Varnum Street, NE, Washington, DC 20017, across the street from Providence Hospital. Gather at 6:45 a.m. near the bottom of the steps leading to the front entrance of the Josephite Center. Mike Goody will meet and escort us to the Mañanita area. We'll be on the St. Josephite grounds, we won't disturb neighbors, and it’s just a short walk to the Mañanita area.

Closing: There will be NO MASS at Closing. While the Closing itself will be in the Josephite Chapel, food for the Closing Reception should be brought to the Community Room on the Basement level. There will be signs directing you to the correct door so you will not need to climb the steps to the front door - just to go back downstairs once inside. Parking is available on the streets around the Josephite Center, as well as some spaces on the property in front and on the right side (13th Street side). Time is 3:00 p.m. Please be seated by 2:45 p.m. in the Chapel. Please bring heavy hors d'oeuvres and beverages to share. See you there!

Click here for directions and map to the Josephite Center across the street from Providence Hospital