One of the many humorous yet sad aspects of human nature is that we often seek a finite solution to a problem whose only answer is the infinite. In other words, we seek God in places, people and situations that are imperfect and passing, rather than seeking God himself who is perfect and eternal.
Before Jesus gives us the great commandment to love God with an undivided heart (Mk 12:30) he tells us that “The Lord our God is Lord alone” (Mk 12:29). A modern translation could read, God is God and nobody or nothing else is God. Therefore, you are not God, your spouse and children are not God, your friends are not God, your career is not God, money is not God and anything or anybody else in this world is not God. Only God is God. Why waste your time looking for Him elsewhere?
Since are hearts are made for God and are continually restless until we find him we can’t help looking for him everywhere. The problem is we search for him among earthly things and wonder why at the end of the day we are tired, frustrated and feel alienated from ourselves and everybody else. If we listened more attentively to the experience of our hearts in our search for God maybe then we could comprehend that the tiredness, frustration and alienation we often feel is the result of seeking a finite solution to a problem whose only answer is the infinite.
What you can do regularly is examine your heart
and ask the Lord to cast out any idols you may be worshipping in place of Him. What things or people have I placed above
God? The list could be extensive and can
easily include things like people, certain relationships and attitudes that
seek to find my identity and self worth entirely in this world and not in God.
The ironic thing is that once you place God above everything else in this life, then and only then, are you able to love life and others appropriately because you are now free from trying to “possess” others and from forcing them to satisfy our deep existential need for a Savior. There is only one Savior, and nobody, no matter how smart, rich, beautiful or talented they appear can fulfill that role.
“The Lord our God is Lord alone!” What freedom these words can bring to your heart because they set us free and point us in the direction where we find true happiness.
God bless you,
Fr. Jeremiah Myriam Shryock, CFR
St. Felix Friary, Yonkers, NY
Letters of hope and consolation #5
Letters of hope and consolation #4
Letters of hope and consolation #3
Letters of hope and consolation #2
Letters of hope and consolation #1
(PLEASE DO NOT REPLY
AS THIS ACCOUNT IS NOT CONNECTED PERSONALLY
TO FR. JEREMIAH - THANK YOU)
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Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Friday, June 1, 2012
Letters of hope and consolation #5
The beauty and grandeur of life is this simple; God is calling you to an intimate relationship with him. He who is almighty, all powerful and all knowing invites you to walk “hand in hand” with him through your life. There is no thought you have, no suffering you endure, no confusion you feel and no happiness that you experience that is not important to God.
Could anything be better than this? Even when all the things of this world grow old and fade away your relationship with God continues to grow and increase. It is the one thing that will not disappoint you and prohibit you from thinking that you are alone in this world.
No matter where you travel in life, no matter how many friends you have, how much money you make or how influential you are, you can never experience anything better than what you already have; this profound invitation from God to a deeper union with him. This fact alone makes life worth living to the fullest.
God bless you,
Fr. Jeremiah Myriam Shryock, CFR
St. Felix Friary, Yonkers, NY
Letters of hope and consolation #4
Letters of hope and consolation #3
Letters of hope and consolation #2
Letters of hope and consolation #1
(PLEASE DO NOT REPLY
AS THIS ACCOUNT IS NOT CONNECTED PERSONALLY
TO FR. JEREMIAH - THANK YOU)
Could anything be better than this? Even when all the things of this world grow old and fade away your relationship with God continues to grow and increase. It is the one thing that will not disappoint you and prohibit you from thinking that you are alone in this world.
No matter where you travel in life, no matter how many friends you have, how much money you make or how influential you are, you can never experience anything better than what you already have; this profound invitation from God to a deeper union with him. This fact alone makes life worth living to the fullest.
God bless you,
Fr. Jeremiah Myriam Shryock, CFR
St. Felix Friary, Yonkers, NY
Letters of hope and consolation #4
Letters of hope and consolation #3
Letters of hope and consolation #2
Letters of hope and consolation #1
(PLEASE DO NOT REPLY
AS THIS ACCOUNT IS NOT CONNECTED PERSONALLY
TO FR. JEREMIAH - THANK YOU)
Monday, May 28, 2012
It is all about the Yes
The word yes is very important in the spiritual life. It all began when God said yes to creating the universe. Mary's yes to the message from the Archangel Gabriel opened the door to welcome the Creator into creation in the Incarnation. The yes of Jesus saved us. Our own yes to God is very important.
Recently I witnessed some profound yeses. Our five novices professed first vows. One of our friars was ordained a priest. Five of our friars were ordained to the deaconate. One of our friars was ordained to the sub-diaconate in the Maronite Rite. A grandmother breathed her last yes as she entered eternal life. A beautiful family brought a new baby to the baptismal fount. This weekend five of our sisters will profess final vows.
Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta would tell people to "Give God permission." It is all about the yes! What is the Lord asking you to say yes to today?
God bless you,
Fr. Luke Mary Fletcher, CFR
Saint Joseph Friary
Harlem, NY
One Priest and Five Deacons Ordained
Five Novices Make First Profession
www.franciscanfriars.com
Recently I witnessed some profound yeses. Our five novices professed first vows. One of our friars was ordained a priest. Five of our friars were ordained to the deaconate. One of our friars was ordained to the sub-diaconate in the Maronite Rite. A grandmother breathed her last yes as she entered eternal life. A beautiful family brought a new baby to the baptismal fount. This weekend five of our sisters will profess final vows.
Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta would tell people to "Give God permission." It is all about the yes! What is the Lord asking you to say yes to today?
God bless you,
Fr. Luke Mary Fletcher, CFR
Saint Joseph Friary
Harlem, NY
One Priest and Five Deacons Ordained
Five Novices Make First Profession
www.franciscanfriars.com
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Afraid of God
Walking down the street in Harlem is always an interesting opportunity. Seeing my Old Testament style beard and robe, a baby-carrying woman flagged me down. I learned that she had almost become a nun when she was a girl in Haiti. After a long series of unforeseen events (good and bad), she found herself a single mom in New York City.
After listening to her story I simply asked about her relationship with Jesus. She shared that she was afraid of God, "If I get close to Him, He will test me and I have more suffering than I want already."
It is so strange how we can get things exactly backwards sometimes. The God revealed in Jesus doesn't want to make us suffer. Rather, Jesus talked about and revealed "the perfect love which casts out all fear" (1 John 4:18). Suffering will come. It is precisely a close relationship with God which provides us the grace and strength to weather the storms of life.
Please pray for all of the wandering sons and daughters of Adam & Eve, still running and hiding from the One who loves us more than we can fathom.
God bless you,
Fr. Luke Mary Fletcher, CFR
Saint Joseph Friary, NYC
www.franciscanfriars.com
After listening to her story I simply asked about her relationship with Jesus. She shared that she was afraid of God, "If I get close to Him, He will test me and I have more suffering than I want already."
It is so strange how we can get things exactly backwards sometimes. The God revealed in Jesus doesn't want to make us suffer. Rather, Jesus talked about and revealed "the perfect love which casts out all fear" (1 John 4:18). Suffering will come. It is precisely a close relationship with God which provides us the grace and strength to weather the storms of life.
Please pray for all of the wandering sons and daughters of Adam & Eve, still running and hiding from the One who loves us more than we can fathom.
God bless you,
Fr. Luke Mary Fletcher, CFR
Saint Joseph Friary, NYC
www.franciscanfriars.com
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Fridays in Jail
Every Friday we go to the local jail, Essex county, and it’s mostly guys from our neighborhood;
so we fit right in.
That night after finishing visiting with the polish immigration criminals, we were scheduled to go down to the infirmary, which I was looking forward to since I had never been, and it was all-Mother Teresa style: the poorest of the poor, because it doesn’t get much worse than being sick and in jail.
So after checking in with a guard who is really compassionate and kind, where I think to myself ‘that must be why he is stationed here’ we turn around immediately to see a man in his orange jumper sitting down with his head against the wall letting out a groan. I think to myself “hello Jesus” as we approach and we pray with him and he tears up a bit and it is a real encounter with Christ, it was beautiful. Then we go inside, and there is armed guards and a nurse’s station and two sections behind bulletproof glass and steel doors. I look thru the glass and a young man with long dreadlocks sees us and is waving us over with what seems like a joyful confidence. So I think to myself “I think were supposed to go in there…”, so I tell the guards “were going in there” and they ask “you wanna go in there?” and I say “were going in there!” So in we go and right away the young man says:
“Wasup my brothers, we are all God’s children!” and I say “amen!” and I ask him “how you doin tonite?” And he says “o, pretty good, but I got shot B!... and stabbed” and he pulls up his shirt to reveal stiches that go from his sternum to his belly button, along with 2 bullet holes and a stab wound with no stiches on it in his stomach. And I exclaim “(Dang). Where did you get shot?!” and he says “In New York. I got shot in New York.” And I say “Manhattan?” and he says “nah, in the Bronx” and I say “I used to live in the Bronx!” Then I say “wow, they opened you up just to pull the bullets out right?” and he says “yep.” And I say: “wow, I am glad you made it out of that one.” And he says “me too….but somethin’ happened.” And I say “what happened?” And you could see the love of God in his eyes and could tell he was sincere and he says “I was in heaven for a second Bro. I was in heaven.” and I say “well tell me about that!” And he says “There were these huge walls, with these huge gates and all of these flower petals were pouring over the walls, and I heard everybody say ‘let ‘em in Father, let ‘em in!’ and there were all of these huge mansions, they were beautiful, all white and gold with roads made of pearls. (The mansions) They were huge and beautiful. And then I saw Jesus. His face was bright white, a little like yours and he had a little beard, like yours, and his skin was dark like mine, and his hair was like wool, and it was long, son! I mean long! And then I saw his face.” And at this point the young man recollects and looks into the distance as he remembers and says “Everything’s in that face brother, everything’s in that face...”
I ask him “was there music?”
“OH, beautiful music, like AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!”
“What like chanting?”
“Yeah like chanting”
“was there light?
“yes, beautiful bright light, but you could look at it.”
I then ask, pointing to my habit “was there anybody up there dressed like this?”
And he laughs and looks away and looks back and says:
“The Catholics Bro! and Jesus IS CATHOLIC!...He’s got a long white robe, long and it never gets dirty, there’s no dirt in heaven Bro, there’s no dirt in Heaven!”
He goes on to say “the people were praising God and even had signs that said ‘The God of Nazareth!”
He then says “Let me in Father.”
And Jesus says to him “Not yet my son, for there are battles yet for you to win for me on earth.” And he said to him “but, why?” and our Lord said to him “don’t question me, you’ll wake up now” and bang! He was back in the emergency room!
The young man then goes on to say “Brother, before, I wanted to kill people, commit adultery, lie, cheat, steal, you name it. But not now Brother…I have seen the light! I have seen the light!”
“This life is not what we always think it’s about…we’ve got to Love!”
At this point he witnesses to me by telling everyone good night and that he loves them, and giving the guy in the infirmary a big hug and telling him he loves him and pushing him into his hospital/cell.
This life is about love.
God bless you,
Br. Nicholas Joseph, CFR
Most Blessed Sacrament Friary
375 13th Avenue
Newark, NJ
www.franciscanfriars.com
so we fit right in.
That night after finishing visiting with the polish immigration criminals, we were scheduled to go down to the infirmary, which I was looking forward to since I had never been, and it was all-Mother Teresa style: the poorest of the poor, because it doesn’t get much worse than being sick and in jail.
So after checking in with a guard who is really compassionate and kind, where I think to myself ‘that must be why he is stationed here’ we turn around immediately to see a man in his orange jumper sitting down with his head against the wall letting out a groan. I think to myself “hello Jesus” as we approach and we pray with him and he tears up a bit and it is a real encounter with Christ, it was beautiful. Then we go inside, and there is armed guards and a nurse’s station and two sections behind bulletproof glass and steel doors. I look thru the glass and a young man with long dreadlocks sees us and is waving us over with what seems like a joyful confidence. So I think to myself “I think were supposed to go in there…”, so I tell the guards “were going in there” and they ask “you wanna go in there?” and I say “were going in there!” So in we go and right away the young man says:
“Wasup my brothers, we are all God’s children!” and I say “amen!” and I ask him “how you doin tonite?” And he says “o, pretty good, but I got shot B!... and stabbed” and he pulls up his shirt to reveal stiches that go from his sternum to his belly button, along with 2 bullet holes and a stab wound with no stiches on it in his stomach. And I exclaim “(Dang). Where did you get shot?!” and he says “In New York. I got shot in New York.” And I say “Manhattan?” and he says “nah, in the Bronx” and I say “I used to live in the Bronx!” Then I say “wow, they opened you up just to pull the bullets out right?” and he says “yep.” And I say: “wow, I am glad you made it out of that one.” And he says “me too….but somethin’ happened.” And I say “what happened?” And you could see the love of God in his eyes and could tell he was sincere and he says “I was in heaven for a second Bro. I was in heaven.” and I say “well tell me about that!” And he says “There were these huge walls, with these huge gates and all of these flower petals were pouring over the walls, and I heard everybody say ‘let ‘em in Father, let ‘em in!’ and there were all of these huge mansions, they were beautiful, all white and gold with roads made of pearls. (The mansions) They were huge and beautiful. And then I saw Jesus. His face was bright white, a little like yours and he had a little beard, like yours, and his skin was dark like mine, and his hair was like wool, and it was long, son! I mean long! And then I saw his face.” And at this point the young man recollects and looks into the distance as he remembers and says “Everything’s in that face brother, everything’s in that face...”
I ask him “was there music?”
“OH, beautiful music, like AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!”
“What like chanting?”
“Yeah like chanting”
“was there light?
“yes, beautiful bright light, but you could look at it.”
I then ask, pointing to my habit “was there anybody up there dressed like this?”
And he laughs and looks away and looks back and says:
“The Catholics Bro! and Jesus IS CATHOLIC!...He’s got a long white robe, long and it never gets dirty, there’s no dirt in heaven Bro, there’s no dirt in Heaven!”
He goes on to say “the people were praising God and even had signs that said ‘The God of Nazareth!”
He then says “Let me in Father.”
And Jesus says to him “Not yet my son, for there are battles yet for you to win for me on earth.” And he said to him “but, why?” and our Lord said to him “don’t question me, you’ll wake up now” and bang! He was back in the emergency room!
The young man then goes on to say “Brother, before, I wanted to kill people, commit adultery, lie, cheat, steal, you name it. But not now Brother…I have seen the light! I have seen the light!”
“This life is not what we always think it’s about…we’ve got to Love!”
At this point he witnesses to me by telling everyone good night and that he loves them, and giving the guy in the infirmary a big hug and telling him he loves him and pushing him into his hospital/cell.
This life is about love.
God bless you,
Br. Nicholas Joseph, CFR
Most Blessed Sacrament Friary
375 13th Avenue
Newark, NJ
www.franciscanfriars.com
Thursday, April 26, 2012
25th Anniversary
April 28, 2012, is the 25th anniversary of the founding of our community. We give thanks to God for His many blessings over the years and pray for His continued guidance as we strive to follow in the footsteps of St. Francis.
Please continue to pray for our community!
PRESS RELEASE – April 25, 2012
Also of note...
A Drama of Reform is the story of the new order founded by Fr. Benedict Groeschel and seven other Capuchin friars, and of the first two decades of a reform in religious life begun in 1987. United in the desire to be authentic disciples of Jesus Christ and following in the footsteps of Saint Francis, they want to encourage the army of Christians of all denominations who are discouraged by the erosion of Gospel values in our culture.
This inspirational volume combines more than 100 dramatic photos from the interesting and varied aspects of their daily lives. Along with the wonderful photos, members of the two independent communities of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal provide short essays on their life, which will enable others to experience the earnestness and enthusiasm of this young and fervent group. More than one hundred sisters and friars from a dozen countries have come together with the common desire to follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ after the example of Saint Francis and the tradition of the Capuchin reform.
Well-known for their work with the poor and homeless in the South Bronx and other deprived areas, these Franciscans communicate a deep sense of the joy and love of those trying to be totally committed to living the Gospel in an increasingly de-Christianized world.
FIND A Drama of Reform HERE
+++
Please continue to pray for our community!
PRESS RELEASE – April 25, 2012
Also of note...
A Drama of Reform is the story of the new order founded by Fr. Benedict Groeschel and seven other Capuchin friars, and of the first two decades of a reform in religious life begun in 1987. United in the desire to be authentic disciples of Jesus Christ and following in the footsteps of Saint Francis, they want to encourage the army of Christians of all denominations who are discouraged by the erosion of Gospel values in our culture.
This inspirational volume combines more than 100 dramatic photos from the interesting and varied aspects of their daily lives. Along with the wonderful photos, members of the two independent communities of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal provide short essays on their life, which will enable others to experience the earnestness and enthusiasm of this young and fervent group. More than one hundred sisters and friars from a dozen countries have come together with the common desire to follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ after the example of Saint Francis and the tradition of the Capuchin reform.
Well-known for their work with the poor and homeless in the South Bronx and other deprived areas, these Franciscans communicate a deep sense of the joy and love of those trying to be totally committed to living the Gospel in an increasingly de-Christianized world.
FIND A Drama of Reform HERE
+++
Friday, April 20, 2012
Letters of hope and consolation #4
It seems that more and more today people are suffering from boredom. People are bored with school, work, marriage, family, religion, politics and society in general. When something doesn’t immediately stimulate us or appeal directly to our senses we move on to the next thing. There seems to be a written rule in the minds and hearts of people today that equates pleasure with fulfillment. Therefore, if I am not experiencing consolation and pleasure in what I am doing than I am allowed to look elsewhere despite any previous commitments I have made.
This attitude is not only a tragedy on a human level but on a spiritual level as well. Prayer, meditation, growing in virtue and other exercises in the spiritual life can at times be “boring” and often leave us feeling dry and lacking in consolation and affirmation. We are not always go to feel God’s love, prayer is not always going to be a consoling and beautiful experience and trying to grow in virtue is rarely ever going to be an easy and wonderful experience on a natural level.
When this dryness or boredom occurs the temptation is usually to flee. If prayer is difficult then quit or at least reduce it drastically. It some person in your life is not easy to get along with and they don’t seem open to your attempts at love then ignore them. If you find it hard to spend time in silence and reflection then immerse yourself in noise and activity.
Boredom is not always a sign that you should be doing more but that maybe you should be going deeper where you are. When you are board there are always the opportunities for growth in patience, acceptance of God’s will, loving others, progress in prayer and a million other things. Yet none of this can happen if you are constantly running away from things because they are not immediately stimulating you.
In order for a person to truly appreciate a work of art, a sunset and even another person they must allow themselves to stop, be silent and wait for some time in order to grasp more fully what it is that is before them. The same is true in our relationship with God. We must be patient and wait through experiences of apparent “boredom” in order for us to grasp more fully the greatness and beauty of God. After all, it is we who are probably boring. God is the most exciting and interesting person in the entire universe.
God bless you,
Fr. Jeremiah Myriam Shryock, CFR
St. Felix Friary, Yonkers, NY
-PLEASE DO NOT REPLY-
This attitude is not only a tragedy on a human level but on a spiritual level as well. Prayer, meditation, growing in virtue and other exercises in the spiritual life can at times be “boring” and often leave us feeling dry and lacking in consolation and affirmation. We are not always go to feel God’s love, prayer is not always going to be a consoling and beautiful experience and trying to grow in virtue is rarely ever going to be an easy and wonderful experience on a natural level.
When this dryness or boredom occurs the temptation is usually to flee. If prayer is difficult then quit or at least reduce it drastically. It some person in your life is not easy to get along with and they don’t seem open to your attempts at love then ignore them. If you find it hard to spend time in silence and reflection then immerse yourself in noise and activity.
Boredom is not always a sign that you should be doing more but that maybe you should be going deeper where you are. When you are board there are always the opportunities for growth in patience, acceptance of God’s will, loving others, progress in prayer and a million other things. Yet none of this can happen if you are constantly running away from things because they are not immediately stimulating you.
In order for a person to truly appreciate a work of art, a sunset and even another person they must allow themselves to stop, be silent and wait for some time in order to grasp more fully what it is that is before them. The same is true in our relationship with God. We must be patient and wait through experiences of apparent “boredom” in order for us to grasp more fully the greatness and beauty of God. After all, it is we who are probably boring. God is the most exciting and interesting person in the entire universe.
God bless you,
Fr. Jeremiah Myriam Shryock, CFR
St. Felix Friary, Yonkers, NY
-PLEASE DO NOT REPLY-
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Easter Means Hope Exists
What does it mean to say that “Jesus is risen?” A translation, perhaps adapted especially
for non-believers could be, “hope exists.”
If we look deeply beneath all of our disordered desires, our brokenness and our selfish
concerns what we discover ultimately is the hope that there exists unconditional love. Not only
that unconditional love exists but that it is eternal and does not end after this life. The Easter
proclamation that “Jesus Christ is risen” fulfills this hope deep within us.
In many of the Resurrection accounts in the New Testament those to whom Jesus appears
to are often found afraid (Mt 28:5), amazed (Mk16:5), seized with trembling and bewilderment
(Mk 16:8), terrified (Lk:24:5), downcast (Lk 24:17), near despair (Lk 24:21), weeping (Jn 20:15)
and lacking in faith (20:25).
After their encounter with the Risen Lord they are all transformed from within because
the ultimate hope of their souls is confirmed. Unconditional love exists and has blasted through
space and time and is available to us for all eternity. How can one not be overwhelmed with joy
at such good news?
God bless you,
Fr. Jeremiah Myriam Shryock CFR
for non-believers could be, “hope exists.”
If we look deeply beneath all of our disordered desires, our brokenness and our selfish
concerns what we discover ultimately is the hope that there exists unconditional love. Not only
that unconditional love exists but that it is eternal and does not end after this life. The Easter
proclamation that “Jesus Christ is risen” fulfills this hope deep within us.
In many of the Resurrection accounts in the New Testament those to whom Jesus appears
to are often found afraid (Mt 28:5), amazed (Mk16:5), seized with trembling and bewilderment
(Mk 16:8), terrified (Lk:24:5), downcast (Lk 24:17), near despair (Lk 24:21), weeping (Jn 20:15)
and lacking in faith (20:25).
After their encounter with the Risen Lord they are all transformed from within because
the ultimate hope of their souls is confirmed. Unconditional love exists and has blasted through
space and time and is available to us for all eternity. How can one not be overwhelmed with joy
at such good news?
God bless you,
Fr. Jeremiah Myriam Shryock CFR
St. Felix Friary, Yonkers, NY
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Christ is Risen!
The mind-boggling, knee-knocking, earth-shattering, and head-spinning historical event we celebrated on Sunday, simply known as “the Resurrection,” is indeed a case of history and not hysteria, as some might believe. In short, what all our “Alleluias” are about surrounds an event actually witnessed by no one, yet its truth is witnessed by many.
Unlike the sacred writings of other religions, the highly embellished imaginative legends of Greek and Roman mythology, and those of the Hindu tradition, what we have are stark historical events. It is of interest to note that all the miraculous events we read in the Bible, most notably the resurrection, all somehow fall within the context of human reason. Meaning, there is a difference between the extraordinary events in mythology and the miraculous events in the Gospels. There is big difference between Medusa who turns people into stone and the man born blind who sees. In Oriental legends people sprout wings and fly away, in the Gospels paralyzed people walk away – there is a difference.
What I like to propose is that the historical event which we are celebrating as the key and cornerstone of the Christian faith is rational and reasonable. While we may not be able to understand the depth and dimensions of the resurrection, we are not speaking about myth, but rather mystery. The resurrection is a credible historical event – a product of God’s hand and not man’s imagination.
Yet the power of the resurrection on the apostles and disciples of Our Lord was indeed mind-boggling and knee-knocking – literally! All of us have a friend or family member who has died. For some of us their passing is quite recent. Now, how would you react if the person who you know is dead suddenly walked into the room? What would you do – jump up and say “Wow! I thought you were dead! What are you doing here?” No, you and I would probably either faint, punch ourselves in the head to make sure it wasn’t a dream, or we would run out of the house! In short, we would be like the disciples – incredulous at first, then beside ourselves with fear and joy. No wonder Jesus’ first words to the gathered apostles were: “Peace be with you.”
Friends, while few of us experience the full impact of the resurrection in our emotions, we can possess in some way its power in our soul. This means we can believe in this mysterious and miraculous event without physically or emotionally collapsing. The faith and conviction exhibited in the lives of the early disciples who literally saw and touched the Risen Lord can be ours. In fact, while many of you don’t believe you have such an apostolic faith, you should remember how the Lord has carried you through some dark and difficult days. The power which has brought you through the deep valleys and up the daunting mountains was at work in you. This is what we call faith.
Although you have not witnessed the battered and bloodied body of Jesus placed in the tomb, and then gloriously liberated from death, you believe it, not because it happened in history but because it is happening in your history. Faith is not only a gift by which we believe in the things of God, but it enables us to behave as God – to be godly, holy, and righteous – especially when it is most difficult.
The saints – those sanctified by the gift of faith – prove that the historical event called the resurrection is not only reasonable, but real. Despite a cross, a scouring, and a spear, they lived a life triumphant and glorious. Especially seen in the lives of the martyrs, we read about those who conquered sin and death – stared into the face of death – and smiled. Yes, the power of the resurrection alive and at work, not only in past history, but in your history.
During these eight days, the Octave of Easter, let us continue to wish each other a “Happy Easter.” It’s not about a day – this is the Easter season. Let us reflect on the ways faith has lead us through a Red Sea, fed us in the desert, opened our eyes, and empowered our weak limbs. Despite it all, we’re still here in hope of that day when death will be no more. The Easter story is not a myth, but a fact – a fact of faith. For this faith, this gift, this grace, may we be ever grateful. Perhaps the only word that sums it all up is “Alleluia!”
Fr. Glenn Sudano, CFR
Most Blessed Sacrament Friary
Newark, NJ
Thursday, April 5, 2012
The Holy Triduum
Good Friday
Today we witness in the crucifixition of Jesus
the worst of humanity: the betrayal of a friend and teacher by his very own
disciples; the cowardliness of a politician afraid to defend the truth; the
fear of religious leaders, who stubbornly refuse to listen to another
interpretation; the fickleness of the crowd, who only a few days ago proclaimed
that Jesus was the Messiah, and the arrogance and stupidity of the soldiers as
they spit on him, scourge him and crown him with thorns.
Despite the horror this stupidity forced upon
Jesus he reacts in the complete opposite way.
There is no cursing or promising revenge, there is no betrayal of those
whom he loved, there are no signs of him becoming a coward or growing fickle in
his conviction regarding the Father’s will.
Rather, there is forgiveness uttered from his lips, simply because “they
know not what they do” (Lk 23:34).
Humanity has killed God. He came to this earth proclaiming mercy and
forgiveness. He revealed the heart of
God as an ocean of love, a place were sinners are washed clean and made saints. Yet we were not convinced. We betrayed him for a multitude of
reasons. The only option was to destroy
him, yet even that would not turn him against us.
Holy Saturday
Your blood has finally dried upon your tired and
mangled body. There is nothing left for
you to give, you have been poured out to the point of death. It is finished.
The beauty of your eyes has faded. The gentleness of your hands has been
forgotten. The serenity of your smile
has been extinguished. Could you still
be our God?
Who could have ever predicted it would end like
this? Your passion has stolen all of our
words. In you was all our joy, all our
hope for life, and the answer to the question of our life. What you have revealed no man could ever
fathom, you the eternal paradise, the place of infinite rapture.
Now we wait like madmen, not knowing who we are,
not knowing what will happen to us. Each
second is an agonizing mystery and we die a thousand deaths reliving yesterdays
nightmare. My God awake, come back and
save us! Do not leave us in this
wretched state of despair.
God bless you,
Fr. Jeremiah Myriam Shryock CFR
Fr. Jeremiah Myriam Shryock CFR
St. Felix Friary, Yonkers , NY
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