From yesterday’s gospel: “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain . . . ."

From a reflection by Brother John Johnston, FSC: “John Baptist De La Salle wanted the brothers to consider these words on the first day of their annual retreat . . . We can imagine John Baptist De La Salle looking directly into the eyes of the Brothers and saying to them, “Brothers, God has given YOU such a ministry … You are the ones he has chosen." God is confiding to your care, God is entrusting to you, the children and youth that you have in your schools. . . God wants you torepresent Jesus Christ – to re-present – to make Jesus’ loving and saving presence a visible and effective reality in their lives. He wants you, in Jesus’ name and in his place, to touch their hearts and their minds. Lasallians, De La Salle addressed these words first and foremost to the Brothers . . . Today, however, Lasallians, I say that John Baptist De La Salle is addressing these words to each of you . . . In total accord with your primary life commitment, look upon your yourselves as God’s ministers, ambassadors, co-workers. Look upon yourselves as Jesus’ presence in the lives of the youth God is confiding to your care."

The next two weeks or so are challenging, filled as they are with events – reviewing, final exams, graduation, final grades – that are not normally found in the everyday rhythm of our school calendar. In this, however, we find opportunity. We have a new opportunity to be the presence of Christ, a voice of comfort and guidance, for all of our students. Maybe they are worried, scared, a little out of sorts with a change in routine, or just in need of the advice of the older sibling that encourages them to do what they already know needs to be done. We are called to touch their hearts and minds so that they will know that God does love them, and calls them just as he called us. During these weeks, let us not forget to bear fruit!

Live, Jesus, in our hearts!