May 7, 2011
Saturday of the Second Week of Easter
So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, "It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." Acts 6:2-4
The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, "It is I. Do not be afraid." John 6:18-20
Piety
Peace I leave with you, my friends:
Shalom my peace, in all you do.
Peace I leave with you, my friends,
I give to you, so you can give to others, too.
To share God's love is why I came,
To show God's kindness to the world
Go now my friends and do the same,
Until I come again...
Take my hand and be at peace,
The spirit of our love I send;
And with this love you will be free,
Until I come again...
With this love you all will know,
That loneliness is at an end,
Rejoice my people though I go
For I will come again...
Study
Although I have not counted, the two wishes Jesus seems to have most when in the midst of his disciples are “Peace be with you” and “Do not be afraid.” No matter what happens in the outside world, these are two strong statements upon which to build our relationship with Jesus.
Relationships with others may not be filled with peace and calm, but Jesus wants His relationship with us and our relationship with Him to be different from whatever we experience with others.
In our first reading, Luke also boils down life into three essential boxes – service (action), prayer (piety) and ministry of the word (study). So, even though it might have taken almost two thousand years to design the Cursillo movement, the three pillars of our movement are essentially the same as they were in the years immediately following the Resurrection. It would certainly be hard to concentrate on these three legs of the tripod if our relationship with Jesus did not bring us peace and calm.
Action
What is swirling in your world?
Although our weather here in my part of Virginia might be calm, tornadoes have ripped through the South and Midwest parts of the country over the past month making this spring a deadly season for hundreds.
Although the florists and candy makers have been working overtime to sell us Mother’s Day gifts, many mothers are estranged from their children, others are in nursing homes and hospitals, and still other families will mark the day tomorrow with an empty chair for a mother who has passed away – some experiencing this loss for the first time.
While some are celebrating the killing of America’s most wanted terrorist, many in our government and law enforcement community must brace for potential retaliation by the networks of killers still roaming the globe.
What turbulence can you let go of in your life in order to build a closer relationship with Jesus and with those around you? Jesus wants those relationships built on love and peace, not turbulence and fear.
