Where two or three are gathered together in my name...

Dearest Ones,

Many people love to plant seeds and watch what wonders emerge. Spiritual seeds grow in a manner similar to those planted in the ground. Attention, care and nourishment are required if a seed is to grow into something beautiful So, too, parents nurture the seeds of faith that God has planted in children. While their children are with them, parents are the keepers of their souls and at death they will be judged according to the example given."Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matt 18:20) This Bible quote has always meant so much to me. When families pray together before meals, they invite Jesus to be in their conversation and in their loving response to each other. How beautiful to invite Jesus, the unseen guest, to be a part of the family. I know a family who leaves one place vacant, reminding them that Jesus is there. He is truly there, just as He said, "There am I in their midst." He's not just an outsider, looking on, He's right in the middle of your family! How fitting when a small child, who has just learned the blessing before meals, is asked to lead the grace before meals. That's why a family is sometimes referred to as a little church - because Jesus is present when they gather in His name. When the family prays together before going to bed it makes a lasting impression on children. For the rest of their lives, they will always remember that bedtime means prayer time. Children learn that Jesus is a part of the family. They learn more from the example of parents praying together, rather than from preaching. Asking Jesus to be present is not limited to meal time and bed time - all throughout the day, when some problem comes up, why not ask Jesus to join the family in a prayer? Before children leave for school, when a family member loses something or in thanksgiving for a blessing, a quick prayer is always helpful. Jesus is truly "in our midst" in Catholic Churches because of the Mass. In the Mass, through the words of the priest, the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus - that's why the Mass is the most perfect prayer. Our human hearts can be as sacred as the Tabernacle, when we hold Jesus there after communion. If we allow Our Blessed Lord to enter into our hearts completely, He would walk the earth again through us and that's what we must do if our world is to be saved. It takes a lot of faith for me to believe that Jesus comes to us through the words of the priest. Then I think about the thousands of martyrs who gave their lives because of their belief in the presence of Jesus at Mass. I ask them to help my unbelief. I ask our Mother Mary, the angels and saints to help me when I am distracted. I ask them to bless all the people who come to my mind - those who have asked for prayers, those in danger of losing their faith or whose children have lost their faith. The Mass is Calvary all over again. Jesus gives His life for us at each Mass. I imagine myself beside Mary as she stands at the foot of the Cross and watches her Son tortured to death. No parent can endure anything harder. Talk lovingly and gently to each other in your homes. Smiling and saying "Good morning" when you don't feel like it, thanking someone for a job well done, compliments, forgiveness - these are all ways of spreading peace instead of violence. No family member ever gets tired of hearing the words, "I love you!" My dears, there is so much violence out there in the world. What a joy for Our Lord Jesus to find a place in the hearts and homes of His children, who invite Him inside. He needs homes where love opens the door. It is through the little acts of kindness and understanding that your home will be blessed. Open your hearts to those who come - this is far more important than new furniture. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill your home with peace. Without the Holy Spirit, there is no peace. All families suffer and experience the cross; whether it is physical, emotional, loss of a job, loss of a loved one or whatever it is...it is what we do with the suffering that is important. If parents suffer and unite their sufferings to those of Jesus, then suffering actually becomes a blessing, instead of a curse. God can bring good out of suffering. But if parents do not accept suffering, turn against God and become bitter, then everything is lost. Children need to learn at an early age what to do with suffering. They will learn by watching their parents.

My peace and my love are with you always,
Sister Francelle