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The Spirituality of Marcellin Champagnat is very simple – it is to live in the presence of God. Mary was a key figure in his plan, she was always there to guide and support Marcellin in his work. To be a Christian in our world today is not an easy task. We stand as a contradiction to what others say is important.
Since you left St. Ann’s / Molloy, is there enough evidence to point to that contradiction? I am not asking you if you have changed the world, but is there one thing you have achieved that has lived up to our School Motto “Not for School but for Life?”
Let’s take a look at the central theme of Marcellin’s spirituality – to Live in the Presence of God. You are not being asked to believe in God; that is a given. What binds us together is that we are Christians who believe in God. To live in the presence of God is much different. It is to be aware that God is with us throughout the day and in the events of our lives. It is to invite him to be with us and to guide us as we seek to do His will.
I am sure that in our busy lives we can find some time when we are alone – any time, any place (it may be a stop light on the way to work, on the LIRR, on the Tram, on the way to Play Group, in the elevator on the way to class or the office) at that moment you can place yourself in the presence of God and know that he is with you during the joys and difficulties we face each and every day.
Listen to Isaiah (43): Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not over whelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord Your God, the Holy One of Israel, Your Savior….Because YOU are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I LOVE YOU.
Isaiah tells us that because God loves us that He is with us. An interesting thing happens as we grow in intimacy with the Lord – we become transparent. We learn more about ourselves as well as about the Lord. We become more and more fine-tuned and sensitive to our own inner state and thus have more and more to “say” to the other. I put the word “say” in quotes because often enough as two people become more and more intimate, they communicate as much without words as with words. This is especially true of our relationship with the lord.
Well that is it for now. Let me know what you think about this new addition to the newsletter. Till next time then… May God Bless you and may Mary Watch over you and your loved ones.
Bro. Patrick Hogan Phogan@molloyhs.org, A.M.H.S. Alumni Spiritual Director
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