Reflections

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,…

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 to be a Somebody!…

5th Sunday of the Ordinary Time February 7, 2016 In today’s Gospel, Jesus shows us that even if we are gifted and possess professional skills, we are still weak, limited and finite human beings. However, God’s love is infinite, unconditional and endless. It is our own pride that hinders us from accepting Him to be…

“We must avoid the attitude of someone who judges and condemns from the lofty heights of his own certainty, looking for the splinter in his brother’s eye while remaining unaware of the beam in his own” (The Name of God is Mercy). Pope Francis