Reflections of Caritas

Dear Readers and friends of CARITAS,

I am very glad to be part this great CARITAS family. I convey my vote of thanks to my beloved brother Kollin Petrie for nourishing our souls for a period of over two years. Here I am, ready to continue journeying with you through our weekly reflections. I wish you a fruitful encounter with the risen Lord.

After a week of tremendous emotional intensity and different ups and downs, out of confusion and frustration, the disciples returned to their old trade, to make a living through fishing.  As usual, when the risen Jesus appeared to them in their routine, ordinary life, they failed to recognize him. Peter who stood next to a different charcoal fire on the night of Jesus’ arrest, and three times denied knowing Jesus. Standing next to another fire charcoal fire, Jesus three times asked Peter; Do you love me?

This is what we are celebrating in this great season of Easter: An act of love. Often in our lives we are much like the disciples who do not quickly recognize Jesus as he stands close by. But in love we encourage each other to open our eyes to the spiritual reality of the proximity of Christ in the simplicity of our days.

Jesus exists in our lives, not only in those moments of prayer, but in the ordinariness of the blessings we receive through our families; of the guidance and strength we experience in times of struggle; and of the joy and celebration that we experience in the good times of our lives. As Christians, sharing God’s love is what shapes and forms our experience, and continually lifts our attention to the graces of heaven that give us strength and courage.

So much of our public discourse is filled with anger, with hatred, with accusation, with violence, with rejection and with division, that we are compelled to help others recognize Jesus standing in our midst. He is still with us! He still guides us! He continues to heal within our world! He continues to seek out those who are lost now! He continues to draw us all towards our Heavenly Father!

When the disciples recognized Jesus they found their mission. You and I are now responsible to keep that mission flowing throughout the world. We must be the real presence of Christ in our families, in our communities, in our nation and in our world. We must create bridges and not chasms between people. Because Jesus has loved us so personally, we must follow him in deed and in word. Feed his lambs! and Tend his sheep!