Reflection

Father Colin (Founder of the Marist Fathers) continued, 'this is the time of our birth, let us make ourselves strong, and let us grow in the shadows. The time to burst forth will come soon enough. To each his proper time, besides, nowadays creating a stir is not the way to do good. If I have spoken so much of remaining hidden, it is because I intend us to do even more good….. I do not mean we shall be sheltered from that kind of suffering, from the persecutions, which the upright suffer. No we shall have many martyrs, and of more than one kind. Have we not two already, Father Chanel and Bishop Epalle? But this is the time of our birth, let us make ourselves strong. (FS 149:2)

They learn from him (Jesus) and like him from Mary, how to approach the work of evangelization so that the Gospel may be received in all its power and clarity. Fired with apostolic zeal for the Kingdom, they follow the Lord in emptying themselves of all self-seeking so that nothing will prevent the work of God from being heard. It was by coming into the world in obscurity and poverty that Jesus drew men and women to His Father.

Call to mind what you most value and what you would be willing to sacrifice for the sake of others.

Remember now those people and concerns that are dear to you and entrust them to God.