“For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
John 16:27-28
I truly admire those that every year make it a point to participate in a silent retreat. It takes determination and dedication to truly engage in a spiritual conversation with the Lord, eliminating the noise that surround us. But at times we must be also like Paul, a loud witness of the love of God and his Son, Jesus Christ.
For those of you that know me, silence is a very difficult practice for me. I am person that truly finds a connection with others in conversations, and through my gestures and actions, I try to loudly share a heart that is filled with the love of Jesus, and a Father that is always present. We must surrender in silence to hear His voice, to feel His embrace, and never stop speaking up of his righteousness, love, and redemption. He triumphs in the face of difficult and injustice, even when we do not see it. He is near us and as we believe deeply, He helps us rise from the ashes, from the difficulties, from our own faults, and pushes us forward. It is our surrender to His will, and our trusting in HIS merciful Son that we are redeemed. We are people of Hope, and in such hope lies our faith! A message that Paul shares as he has surrendered to Him. Even if I have little to share today, that little always speaks loudly of JESUS!
What is the noise that clouds your heart? How can we loudly share His love as prophetic disciples called to witness?
May we, as St. Paul was, be able to raise our prophetic voice, and with energy and compassion continue to seek Jesus in the poor, the immigrant, the marginalized and those who are alone. Help us Lord, give us the strength to show your love, and mercy. Amen.
Today’s Reflection is by:
Vivi Iglesias
Did you know...
Vivi Iglesias is the National Advisor for Partnerships for Catholic Relief Services (CRS). A theologian, public speaker, and writer, Vivi serves as Region XIV Chair for the V Encuentro Process of Hispanic Ministry, and is a lay member of the Bishop’s Board of Directors of the US Catholic Bishops Southeast Regional Office for Hispanic Ministry (SEPI) . A native of Argentina, she is a wife, mother and proud grandmother. Her experience includes almost 19 years of work with the Diocese of St. Petersburg, first in the Diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, later as Executive Secretary to the Bishop for almost eleven years, and finally as Associate Director of Hispanic Ministry.
