Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

Prayer Ministry

March 2008

Dear Friend of the Oblates:

We all know the wonderful story of the Wizard of Oz. Every spring it seems to reappear on television to delight audiences young and old.

What if, this year we rewrote the ending. Instead of Kansas, Dorothy could click her heels three times and land in Iowa. And what if she became rich selling corn and raising cattle, and she lived happily ever after. Wouldn’t this be a different ending to a popular story?

What if, after the crucifixion, Mary and the disciples said goodbye and went their separate ways - Mary returning to Nazareth with John, the beloved disciple. Peter, James and Andrew continued their fishing careers. All would have missed the Resurrection, Pentecost and the beginning of our Church. Wouldn’t this be a different ending for another popular story?

However, the Easter story is not about “what ifs,” but “what is!” For Dorothy did go back to Kansas, and Christ did appear to His disciples, and during the Easter Season, we celebrate Christ’s great hour of glory.

As disciples, we live Christ’s glory in ourselves. We answer God’s call. We decide to marry or not. We choose to raise a family or not. We search for answers in joyous times and disappointing ones. We realize that faith is about “what is” and not “what ifs.” We experience Christ’s passion and resurrection and we say: “Yes, I believe.” We struggle to lead good lives so our last days will lead to a happy death. Our journey becomes a tribute to Christ’s glory all over again.

St. Francis de Sales insists that this attitude helps our departure from this earth be a real resurrection. He wrote:

The rule for a happy death is to lead a good life, placing our trust in the merits of the passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, without whom everyday would be a fearful and unhappy event.

We challenge our seminarians to live Christ’s glory too. This prepares them for their future ministry and companionship with Jesus. Your support helps them to live “what is” and embrace God’s calling.

Meanwhile, we pray that you live each day, placing trust in the passion and resurrection of Jesus. And when you do, your hour becomes Christ’s glory, too!

Peace,