Fr. Dan Riley, ofm, finds warmth in the words of Mark's Gospel.
The sun breaks through the clouds on a recent morning at the Mountain.
Even with a thaw or two, spring is not yet "in the air!" However, there is something fresh and new coming to life. It feels like it is a promise still hidden in the earth and in our hearts for this New Year of 2017. It is an ideal time to open the "eye of our heart" and all of our senses, with hope for new life; for that which might be budding out even in mid-winter.
With the turmoil and distrust in our country and our world, a keen eye for life, as it shows itself in relationships, and hope, as we manifest it to one another, I believe are our most essential resolutions. They give us the very "ground for the possibility" of new lives, new initiatives. and renewed commitments to bring health and healing to others.
We have lived more than a month since Christmas, when we heard in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew the beautiful ancient stories of the nativity. They unfold a very poor and intimate setting during a time of oppression and political turmoil when Joseph and Mary had to leave town for another place in order to register. And yet, as most of us probably remember, the choirs of angels (a possible cast of hundreds) who showed up with the shepherds, lit up a cold night and sent them off to find the Christ, the incarnate heart of our loving God.
As I offer this reflection, Mark's Gospel is proclaiming these days. St. Mark and his community step right by the nativity and bring us into the beginning of Jesus' ministry. He does not hesitate in bringing the Messiah to a world that so badly needed our saving Lord ...READ MORE.
Winter at the Mountain
Top left: The St. Bonaventure women's swim team gathers at the Mountain Dec. 21. Top right: Fr. Lou celebrates an Advent Mass at Holy Peace Chapel. Bottom: The St. Bonaventure men's rugby team comes together for an overnight at the Mountain Jan. 20.
Picture From Our Past
Br. Joe Kotula, ofm, and Fr. Dan Riley, ofm, at the raising of the House of Peace in fall 1994.
