No Way! Really?: Weekly Message for 06-20-2023

Dear Friends,

Do you ever see a news story or hear a broadcast and your first response is “No Way!” followed by, “Really?” I do. All the time. “No way did that really happen! No way did someone really do that!”

Social Media and communication platforms are inundated with anti-Christian sentiment, promotion of groups that desecrate sacred spaces, make fun of religious sisters and promote public hate of Christians who respect the inherent dignity of each human person and do not condone behaviors that victimize others. 

The current media outlets boldly highlight this reality, and a Christian like me might be asking, “Lord, why don’t you do something? Do something to protect your faithful children who are being persecuted, murdered, imprisoned, aborted. Do something to protect your churches and sacred institutions. Show the world your power.”

The reality is, God is doing something! He is doing what he has always done, inspiring humble holy people to live as witnesses to the Gospel. This past May, in the small town of Gower Missouri, the body of a Benedictine nun was found to be incorrupt (her body supernaturally preserved) four years after her death. Thousands of pilgrims are descending on this monastery to see the wonders God has done and ask for her intercession. Whether the Church declares Sr. Wilhelmina a saint in the future remains to be seen, but the African American nun lived 75 of her 95 years on this earth as a quiet religious.

I am reminded once again that God’s ways are not our ways. Although he could choose to demonstrate his power—hurl the moon into the sea to get humanity’s attention—he does not. Instead, he asks simple people like you and me to love him with all our hearts and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Only love has enough power to change the hearts and minds of men. “No way! Really? Is it that simple?” “Yes. It is not easy, but it is that simple.”

We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love. Mother Teresa

Yours in the Heart of Jesus,

Donna