By Beth
DeCristofaro
For all of you are children of the
light and children of the day. ... For God did not destine us for wrath, but to
gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether
we are awake or asleep we may live together with him. Therefore, encourage one
another and build one another up, as indeed you do.
(1 Thessalonians 5: 5, 9-11)
He taught them on the Sabbath, and they
were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority. In the
synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out
in a loud voice, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? (Luke 4:31-34)
Piety
One thing I ask of the LORD; this I
seek: To dwell in the LORD’s house all the days of my life, To gaze on the
LORD’s beauty, to visit his temple. (Psalm
27:4)
Study
This past
weekend I attended the inspiring profession of Final Vows by our friend and Cursillista,
Sr. Mary Clark. Reading Paul’s words
bring the joyful Mass and ritual to mind as the Benedictine community joined by
Mary’s friends and family celebrated not only Mary’s deep commitment to God but
also the reality that we are, indeed, children of the light, children of the
day.
Back in
his day, Pope Gregory drew on deep faith and intellectual abilities to shed
light on faith through writing and teaching.
He is especially known for his contributions to the liturgy of the Mass
and the Office. As a monk himself,
Gregory founded several monasteries including a Benedictine one in his own home.
The nuns
in Bristow answer the question put to Jesus in the Gospel “What have you to do
with us, Jesus?” by saying, “I am yours, first, foremost and for the rest of my
life, Lord.” I am sure that Gregory and
the rest of the communion of Saints rejoiced along with us as we built one
another up in sharing Eucharist. By
building up our community and renewing ourselves in the sacred liturgy, we go
forth and act as children of the light in a world often shaded in darkness.
Action
“What do
you have to do with me, Jesus of Nazareth?”
What is our answer though our piety, study and action? We make such choices every day. On a personal level, where do I spend my
money? In a societal way do I support
efforts to insure every child has enough food and access to health? On a global level do I condone response to
crises through violence or in dialogue?
Write a letter today and mail it to the appropriate person, leader or
institution supporting someone or an issue that amplifies the light of Christ
in the world.
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