|
|||||
A LENTEN QUESTIION: DO YOU KNOW GOD? A young man by the name of Piri Thomas wrote a book called “Down These Mean Streets”. It described his conversion from being a convict, a drug addict and an attempted killer. One night Piri was lying on his cell bunk in prison. Suddenly, it occurred to him what a mess he had made of his life. He wanted to change. He had to change. He did know what to do or where to start. Then he remembered his mother telling her children – “When in doubt, pray.” So he started to pray, but it did not feel right. He felt the need of a gesture. He needed to kneel, but he was sharing a cell, so Piri waited. The other prisoner was called the “thin kid”. After he thought the thin kid was asleep, he climbed out of his bunk, knelt down on the cold concrete and prayed. He said, "I told God" how I felt. I talked to him plain, no big words. I talked to him about my wants and my lacks. I told him of my hopes and disappointments. Then I started to cry. After Piri finished his prayer, a small voice said, Amen. It was the thin kid. There we were, Piri said, he lying down, head on bended elbow and I still on my knees. No one spoke for a long time. Then the thin kid said – “I have not prayed since I was small.” The two young men talked a long time. Then Piri climbed back into his bunk. “Good night, Chico”, he said. I am thinking that God is always with us. It is just that we are not with Him. I thought of this story when I read Mark’s Gospel. Jesus tells the people – “Reform your lives and believe in the gospel”. (Mk – 1, 12-15) To reform, means to recognize that there are areas of our lives that need reforming. To identify these areas and turn our backs on them, it means to face up to sin in our lives and turn away from it. We need to examine ourselves. For example – are we aware of selfishness that puts our comfort ahead of other’s needs? The self absorption you have, where you take yourself all too seriously, where the days and nights rotate around you, your heartache, health, your successes and failures, your problems and frustrations? Always looking inward, always putting your comfort ahead of others’ needs? To reform means to face up to any kind of sin in our lives and do something about it. In addition to reforming our lives, Jesus gave us a second instruction: Jesus tells us to believe in the gospel. This means to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He came to save us. That you care not only to know about God, but that you desire to know God. That might be your Lenten question – Do I actually know God? Not a concept or an idea of God; not that God is one and three; not only that God is all knowing and all loving. Rather, the kind of knowledge that is never an abstraction. The kind of knowledge where you become one with the One you know because you see God as all powerful. He needs nothing except He needs to be needed by you. But, like Piri, you have to be willing to open up to God and let Him in. I suspect that many of you have a relationship with God. But any relationship can be improved upon and deepened. Piri was not as dumb as he thought he was. He went on to get his Masters in Social Work and now runs a program for ex-cons. He often says – “I can not believe what God has done for me”. I always tell him – “Piri, you were the one who said yes to God. God never forces Himself. We have to say yes.” Yours in Christ, On March 9th, Ash Wednesday, we begin the season of Lent. Once again ashes will be put on our foreheads and we will be told to repent and believe in the Gospel. All throughout history sack cloth and ashes have been a sign of repentance and so, as we begin our Lenten journey, we are, once again, signed with ashes. It tells the world and ourselves that we wish to repent. And what is repentance … simply to turn back to our God. The friars are observing lent with a variety of special Lenten Events and Programs. Among this year's events are: Mardi Gras Pancake Supper St. Patrick's Day Celebration 2011 Lenten Journey Holy Week Retreat April 20 - 24 This Lenten Season, we look forward to you joining us here at Graymoor, and also ask that you will make the Union That Nothing Be Lost a focus of your Lenten observances this year, especially UNBL Sunday (March 14) and Self-Denial Week (March 14-20). Learn More About Lenten Events >> The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement are hosting a weekend retreat for men from Friday, March 11 through Sunday, March 13 at their mother house in Graymoor, Garrison, New York. The Come & See Weekend is for men between the ages of 18 and 40 years old, who are exploring a call to Franciscan religious life and service to others. Upcoming Benefactor Appreciation Days: Monday, March 14th – Orlando, FL For more information, contact Lisa Koesling at (845) 424-2137, or e-mail: lkoesling@AtonementFriars.org The Friars invite you to a Lenten mass, Lunch and Dedication Ceremony for the New Visitor Entrance at Graymoor, Garrison, NY, Thursday, April 14, 2011 His Excellency Bishop Dominick Lagonegro, DD will be the Officiant. All are welcome! Ecumenical Trends is a monthly (except August) journal published by the Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute. Ecumenical Trends reports on current trends and progress in the ecumenical and interreligious movements around the world. It covers theological consultations, conversations, dialogues and cooperation, and it notes the availability of documents and resources. One year subscriptions cost $25.00 (Domestic) and $27.00 (Foreign); Two year subscriptions cost $46.00 (domestic) and $50.00 (Foreign). LISTEN TO THE AVE MARIA HOUR ON:
|
Franciscan Friars of the Atonement
|
||||
|
Atonement Friars eNews is the monthly e-newsletter of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement | |||||
