My Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

As I mentioned last Sunday, I recently participated in a servant-leaders retreat with fellow members of the governing Council of the Brotherhood of Saint Gregory. Recognizing the implications of the Resurrection for new life, the Gregorian community has begun a process of deep listening in prayerful discernment of how the Spirit of Almighty God is inviting us to experience transformation. 

While people generally recoil from change, perhaps fearfully, we cannot escape it, nor should we. Instead, we are to courageously face change knowing that, in the power of the Spirit, it represents opportunity for individual and community growth, for transformation and new life.

During this Eastertide, I encourage you to engage in a personal time of deep listening for how God is inviting you to experience new life and be more alive. As you do so, cultivate the habit of living gratefully, loving as you are loved. In doing so with God's help, the world will be a better place.

Please don't think it's all about startling events of the type seen on that first Easter Sunday. More often than not, we find Resurrection and New Life in the rhythms of our day-to-day lives. That's one of the lessons to be drawn from this coming Sunday's Gospel. Embrace life with Christ in the little things, loving lavishly, and you will know a new joy.

In Christ's Love & Peace,
Mark Andrew+

"Anxiety weights down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up" (Proverbs 12:25).