Alleluia, Alleluia!

Picture this:

You're sitting in Mass. You hear the great music (or not so great music) giving off praise to God in His own house. You listen to God's Word. You receive His very Body and Blood. Then, after giving thanks to Him, you leave Mass. And then (...and here's the kicker!), at some point...whether it be that day or the next or the next, you may say: "Wow, I wish I didn't have to wait till Mass to give praise to God."

Well, folks, do I have some good news! YOU DON'T HAVE TO!

There. I said it. And there's nothing you can do about it. Well, actually, yes there is. You can praise Him!

And you can praise Him however and whenever you'd like! And, as if that wasn't easy enough, if you're having a lot of trouble giving God proper praise and honor everyday, ask for assistance. His saints and our Lady are amazing intercessors. But even try getting some help from music. There are so many beautiful musicians who spend their lives making music just for people like YOU!

Take this young boy, Jotta A, from Brazil. May he show us how to truly praise God in this Easter season!

And remember....He is risen as He had said, Alleluia! Alleluia!

Sing to God with your life!

     As a small gift from the Lord, our apostolates at Our Lady of the Valley were cancelled last Sunday because of the federal holiday on Monday. So the Lord chose to bless me in other facets:

#1 - Mass at Blessed Sacrament / St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church with Post-novice Brother Jared Anderson.

     Coming from a very lively city of New Orleans, I was so pumped to throw myself into the Catholic liturgy of the large African American community there. The choir, the participation of the congregation, the holiness with which the priest proclaimed the Word of God...all of it was incredibly beautiful. It had moved us so much so that by the end of the Mass when the visitors were asked to stand, we remained sitting. We turned toward each other and said: "When's the next holiday? We are definitely coming back here."

      Though I was very emotionally moved through this experience, a part of me couldn't help but wonder why every Sunday shouldn't be this way? What if all communities celebrated the Holy Sacrifice with such fervor?! So, my message is this: Sing your hearts out. Sing from your soul. Sing with your life. And God will never allow you to lose your voice.

#2 - Nets Basketball Game field trip with 20 young persons from the Don Bosco Youth Center.

     Of the amazing generosity of a recently graduated Don Bosco Prep student, we were able to accompany 20 students of our Friday Night Youth Center to the Nets Game. It was so awesome to see the excitement of the kids to be out and having fun together away from the youth center. They were truly able to enjoy themselves. It just so happened that two of the guys in formation attend the same gym as most of the entertainers at the game. So, the maskot paid a special visit to the kids towards the end of the game. It was a wonderful end to a wonderful evening. Thank you, Jay-Z, for your monetary investments in the Nets.

Today, on this first Friday of the Lenten season, my challenge to you remains the same as mentioned above: Sing your hearts out. Sing from your soul. Sing with your life. And God will never allow you to lose your voice.
For we need not wait until Easter to proclaim His Greatness. We know He is resurrected. Let us live accordingly!

"Today I desire to give you the joy of the Risen One..."

Today, my most beloved brothers and sisters, our Mother Mary calls us to that authentic joy of Her Son.

I believe this wonderful gift given to us in the Christian life can be well compared to the following scene from Sister Act 2. We can go on with our lives living in mediocrity, singing without meaning or passion. We can try to go on living on our own strength, cowarding under our own fear of inadequacy. But that won't get us far.

In fact, all it will get us are a bunch of sideways faces--persons with funny looks upon their faces, for they know that each of us was made for more. Their mind tells them, "you know, there's just something missing in those guys." And the looks on their faces help remind us to live according to who and what we were made for. So, being guided by our peers and community, we are calmed and relaxed.

Then, at the right time, with great triumph, all of us sing in harmony. Our lives connect in a great exultation of praise to the Father. Heaven meets earth when that high note is hit, when we receive our Lord and Savior in the Holy Eucharist! And, thus, our hearts are filled with great joy! But we continue to lift each other up even after. We do not stop singing. Rather, we carry that voice--the voice of God--with us wherever we go. This is the Christian joy. This is the life we are called to. And what a joyful life it is!

May you be inspired to live a life of authenticity and overwhelming joy!

Our Lady of Medjugorje, pray for us.

Posted by: Jared R.