(Brother Stephen and Brother Timothy pause during the Profession Celebration)
“The consolation is that, no matter how many of God’s invitations we ignore, there will always be an infinite number of others. When we’ve gone through 39 days of Lent without changing our lives, there’s still a 40th day to respond. When we’ve ignored a thousand invitations, there’s still another one waiting. God is prodigal; so are the chances God gives us.Sister Margaret Halaska once captured this wonderfully in a poem she entitled “Covenant”:
The Father knocks at my door, seeking a home for His Son:
“Rent is cheap,” I say.
“I don’t want to rent. I want to buy,” says God.
“I’m not sure I want to sell,
But you might come in to look around.”
“I think I will,” says God.
“I might let you have a room or two.”
“I like it,” says God. “I’ll take the two.
You might decide to give me more some day.
I can wait,” says God.
“I’d like to give you more,but it’s a bit difficult. I need some space for me.”
“I know,” says God, “but I’ll wait. I like what I see.”
“Hmm. Maybe I can let you have another room.
I really don’t need that much.”
“Thanks,” says God. “I’ll take it. I like what I see.”
“I’d like to give you the whole house,but I’m not sure.”
“Think on it,” says God. “I wouldn’t put you out.
Your house would be mine, and my Son would live in it.
You’d have more space than you’d ever had before.”
“I don’t understand at all.”
“I know,” says God, “but I can’t tell you about that.
You’ll have to discover it for yourself.
And that can only happen if you let my Son have the whole house.”
“A bit risky,” I say.
“Yes,” says God, “but try me.”
“I’m not so sure –
I’ll let you know.”
“I can wait,” says God. “I like what I see.”
If we look back on our lives and are truly honest, we have to admit that, of all the invitations that God has sent us, we’ve probably accepted and acted on only a fraction of them. Still, no matter how many of God’s invitations we ignore, there will always be an infinite number of others.”
You see, no matter how much we fear taking a risk on God, He loves taking a risk on us. How else could we take the deadly risk of approaching God? Just as He did with Peter, He is stretching out His hand to save us, to help us walk on water.
-Used as a reflection by one of our Marianist Brothers
+ + +
Pray for the Canonization of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade
"To perform all our actions well we must be exact, fervent, and persevering."
Blessed William Joseph Chaminade
