Change Hatred Into Love

This blog post, to say the least, is weeks late.  This is my fault and I apologize to our readers.  The last few weeks have been busy as I have traveled from Omaha, Philadelphia, and back to San Antonio.  All these journeys, in some form or fashion, have been in service to the Marianist Family.

I knew I was in for it when I landed in Omaha, Nebraska and it was snowing.  This was April for crying out loud, I thought to myself, what the heck am I doing here?  I wasn’t looking forward to being in Omaha for the next four days.  The life of the Spirit, however, has a way of spurring one to change their way of thinking.  I went to Omaha to visit Gross Catholic High School (I’m part of the Marianist Visitation Teams; these teams travel to gauge and explore how each Marianist Sponsored school lives out the Marianist identity/mission) and it turned out to be a breath of fresh air.  I met many educators who, without the physical presence of vowed Marianists, have managed to keep the Marianist Spirit and Charism alive in the school.

The following weekend I traveled to Philly for meetings with the National Administrative Team of Marianist LIFE (Living In Faith Experience).  The Regional Coordinators, Kate Beskid, Jessica Gonzalez, and yours truly, met with the National Coordinator of LIFE, Toni Mesina.  Talk about great meetings!  We discussed the present status as well as the future of the Marianist LIFE program.  I was refreshed to see how each Marianist LIFE program works to instill, and in some cases, introduce the Charism to the youth (and adults) of today.

Next, I hosted our Marianist LIFE South Coordinating Team Meetings.  It is a privilege to lead and guide a talented and intergenerational team of Lay Marianists who have passion for ministry and the Marianist Charism.  I have every confidence that Marianist LIFE South 2013 will be a program that will inspire kids and adults alike.

Mother Teresa was fond of saying, “small acts with great love.”  This attitude is one I aspire to.  How are we going to change hatred into love?  This is a tough question and I’m inspired by an article written by a Professor of Theology at Providence College, Paul Gondreau.  His son, Dominic, was recently and quite literally embraced by Pope Francis (See the video here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Jsk9RWRqPo).  This professor was inspired by the Pope’s simple gesture and suggests that it is in the simple gestures that we show others how to love. He goes on to say that his son, who has a condition known as cerebral palsy, teaches him daily how to love.  We all need examples like that in our lives.  These examples are already there!

I cannot help but recall how my mother relentlessly showed our family this great love with her many acts of service.  Often, it was in the simple acts that her love was communicated:  cleaning the house, cooking everyday, or her presence at each of my sporting events or school functions.  All these acts combined demonstrate her powerful witness to love; her desire for us to change hatred into love.  She, to this day, shows me how to love and I hope to cultivate this same disposition in my life and in my communities.

I hope to show my community (Sobremesa and San Antonio) love.  It is in the simple things:  taking out the recycle/trash bins, putting thought into how to set the table, asking your community members how their day was, and folding clothes that don’t belong to you.  Sobremesa constantly shows me love and inspires me to turn away from hatred.  This community is a sign to society that we are about love.  We may be small and fledging but our alacrity to effect positive change in the world will continue.  I challenge you all to go and show your communities love.  Go and change hatred into love.

Happy Mother’s Day to all you Moms out there and may be peace be with you all.