Two days ago, I had a chance to speak to the St. John Vianney Seminarians in the Twin Cities. Although I am not with Chris and Andrew down in Florida right now, I am still on AD GENTES from afar. United in solidarity with the missionary interns, I believe this road trip transcends many physical boundaries and its limitless expanse beckon's us to answer the question, "What can I do to resist the world and join the army of the New Evangelization in this the year of faith. In reading the past three reflections of Chris and Andrew, I am fired up by their youthful enthusiasm, zeal and optimism in the future of the Church because it is HERE! There is SO MUCH to be thankful for and seeing the seminarians a couple days ago, I was inspired by their zeal and ardor! I shared with them the vitality of faith that comes with discipline and docility. We must hold fast to the disciplines of our faith in order to be docile or receptive to the Holy Spirit. The seminarians are poised to leap from these foundations of faith.
Unfortunately, the administrative machinery of our Church threatens this movement of the Spirit and can often suffocate the young people's ability to respond to the movement of the Holy Spirit. It gives me great joy as a priest to see Chris and Andrew RESPOND, RESIST and follow the Holy Spirit on the road with the Popemobile! Keep going guys! Never give up. No retreats. No regrets. No returns. We move forward in faith. Pope Benedict says this of the threat of administration suffocating the Church:
The more administrative machinery we construct, be it the most modern, the less place there is for the Spirit, the less place there is for the Lord, and the less freedom there is. It is my opinion that we ought to begin an unsparing examination on this point at all levels in the Church.
Be FREE...on the road, unhampered by the shackles of bogged down Church!
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