Reflections

Someone is quoted as saying to Mother Teresa: “You face such overwhelming problems of poverty and disease, how do you expect to be successful? How do you keep going?” And Mother Teresa replied: “God does not expect us to be successful, only faithful.”

Pointless Points to Ponder Not We keep buying more and more stuff, we keep ourselves busy eating, drinking, smoking entertaining and getting wasted on alcohol and drugs in order to avoid dealing with life. We can deny it for as long as we like, but in the end it is us who suffer and regardless…

Children Only Someone says there is a great sign over the gate of heaven which reads ‘Children Only’. And if that worries you, I am told there is another notice on the gate which reads ‘Adults will be admitted if accompanied by Children’. Jesus did say the gate into eternal life is small. Certainly the…

Remember this . . . Three things to remember when living in a religious community: First, you are not God. Second, this is not heaven. Third, don’t be an ass. – advice from an old Jesuit priest.

Of Years of Meetings We are aware that meetings are vital to the success of any organization ( OAR  Secretariats included). But the truth is that many religious see such copious meetings as a waste of time. In fact, in some Board Meetings, many are BORED to death. A columnist lately has said, “Rome did…

POINTLESS POINTS TO PONDER NOT ***** *** There are times when I have observed lay persons manifest more concern for the health or well-being of a fellow religious than was shown by his brothers in the community. I have even been amazed at the charitable attention given to ailing confreres by the hired help in…

Do confreres gossip? Do they gossip about each other? I think we know the answer. And I think we know that all of us have been guilty of gossip at some time. But we also know that gossip is a horrendous habit that can assault, crush and destroy even the strongest member of the community. Gossip…

Can you just have the trust to: Cast the nets where there is no fish. Feed 5,000 men with five loaves of bread. Get off a boat and walk in the waves. Fill up some jars with 600 liters of water when the wine runs out. Run to the pool of Siloah with mud in…

   Is there someone who’s a fault finder in your life …. a confrere or a major superior? Is anyone telling you what’s wrong with you? Unless you’ve asked for an honest assessment, listen very guardedly. Ask Christ to teach you what he wants you to learn from it, but don’t stop there. Wait to hear…

Of Being SOMEBODY Why do we often feel so separate from everyone around us? Why do we often feel so alone? Why do we often feel like outsiders looking in? Because we are taught by our parents and our society that what we are “supposed to” be in this world is a Somebody! As a result,…