From today's gospel: "[The rich man] said, 'Then I beg you, father, send [Lazarus] to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.' But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.' He said, 'Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' Then Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'"
From Lasallian Reflection 5 (2019-2020): Great Things are Possible: "Faith, together with zeal, identifies us. Without faith, we run the risk of fatigue, loss of meaning, and weakening of our commitment to change. Alternatively, supported by faith, we make room for God to come and change us. . . While respecting other religious traditions with which we share a path to God, we believe in the Risen Christ who invites us to follow Him and to continue His work."
The parable of the rich man and Lazarus, and the Brothers' General Council, both remind us to bring a singular focus to our efforts. We have programs, initiatives, new ideas, and all of these things are wonderful ways to bring beneficial change to our students. But they take effort and energy, which can be draining even as we keep our regular teaching efforts going. Our students, as continual positive change touches them, can become worn out as they also deal with growing up, as well as their own individual challenges. It is our basic focus, and not a desire for the newest or trendiest, that will sustain us: a focus on Christ who shows us our mission, changes us, and gives us a model of love for us and our students to follow. In all that we do, how do we nurture a life-giving relationship with God for ourselves? Our students?
Live, Jesus, in our hearts!