From today's first reading: "The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song. . . They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, say to those who hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God . . . he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing."
From today's gospel: "When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, 'Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?' Jesus said to them in reply, 'Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.'"
"Pupils in a Brothers' school found themselves in a school that was demanding, but which was there to help them. All attention was really focused on them. Everything was organised to help them to make progress, and they were able to see the progress they were making . . . The treatment the pupil received from the teacher was permeated with respect and love . . . As a result of such treatment, the artisans and the poor could be led to believe in a God of love and hope." (Bruno Alpago, FSC, The Institute in the Educational Service of the Poor)
If you have any doubt at all, even as you are grading finals and putting the final touches on semester grades (both of which sometimes disappoint), about the impact of San Miguel on the lives of our students, go and proclaim what you see and hear! Freshmen developing maturity and academic ability; juniors and seniors growing in leadership skills by leading retreats; sophomores immersed in research for National History Day projects; juniors growing in confidence in oral presentations; so many students and alumni helping to run a full-fledged robotics tournament; the Shining Star of the quarter evaluations for students at each grade level; and every individual success, known to each one of us in so many differing ways and students. In a county in which 73.8% of students graduate from high school, a state in which 74.5% of Hispanic students have a high school diploma, and 28% of children in Tucson live at or below the federal poverty level (42% of that total live in high poverty areas), San Miguel is a place where the good news is proclaimed and seemingly miraculous things happen. Because, as Brother Bruno points out, students are helped here, and students are loved here. Attention is given, and respect and love are seen daily. Thank you for the efforts that you make to bring the God of love and hope that we celebrate most particularly during this Advent season to our students!
Live, Jesus, in our hearts!