My son, gather together from all sides my beloved sons. They need so very much to know each other, to meet each other, to love each other deeply as brothers, to help one another, to encourage one another in walking always in simplicity and abandonment along the difficult and painful path of these times.
Blue Book # 45 e
There was a time (older people can tell you) when people were neighbors. They did not sit staring at TV with a glassy stare.No, people were neighbors and they used to visit each other, or play games together, or have other kinds of entertainment. There was a time when people painted, wrote books, and opened their souls in thousands of ways to others. People could talk and think together.
We cry for release from our loneliness and someday we will understand we are prisoners to computers and technology.Someday, we will arise and destroy their fascinating power, and we will be free again; we will be able communicate with others.Then our natural loneliness will disappear.
Grace in Every Season (March 3)
Yesterday in my 20 minute drive to my parish for Eucharistic Adoration, I spoke with the Lord as I often do and I felt compelled to ask Him… ‘why are you having me drive all the way out here when You are fully present in my neighborhood chapel only 2 minutes from my house?’ The answer was quick and decisive, ‘this is where your people are too’ and ‘places do matter’. I was going in for Him alone, didn’t even think I’d see anyone I knew, as there were so few people last time. But I felt assured that praying at the same place, even if not at the same time, strengthened the group somehow.
So I pulled in to the parking lot and right from the get go I’m greeted by an old friend with the words ‘well, isn’t God good’! Indeed He is I wanted to cry as my heart swelled. Then after catching up with encouraging conversations, I walked into church to be in His presence. It was like pure light, love and peace all just swallowed me up. Then a few people started coming in, all people I knew and cherished. It lit me up! We need to foster these connections that support our faith … and have it spill out into our homes, neighborhoods and extended communities.