Love changes everything:

Hands and faces,

Earth and sky,

Love,

Love changes everything:

How you live and

How you die.

The lyrics above are from one of my favorite musicals, “Aspects of Love,” by Andrew Lloyd Weber. They are meant to describe romantic love, yet they also describe what can happen when we realize the love God has for each of us and how God calls us to love others. 

Today’s readings each carry the theme of love. In the first reading Peter speaks cryptically, “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality.” Those listening to him did not hide their amazement at his words or that the Holy Spirit infused the Gentiles. That God loved the Gentiles came as a bit of a surprise to them. 

John writes, “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God” and in the gospel Jesus says clearly, not once but twice, “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.” 

What are we to do with all this talk of love? It is obvious that the world needs the renewal and transformation love can bring. The “how to” is the hard part. We might start by considering that there are people and groups of people quite pleasing to God even though they do not fit into our definition of beloved or accepted. 

We are called to love without exception, to love as God loves which does not mean just being nice to everyone we meet, although that helps. We are called to stretch ourselves and see others with the eyes of God. That is to find the good in whoever we encounter.

It is easy, most of the time, to love family and friends who share our common interests but what about those who are different from us? Are we called to love those we disagree with on matters of faith? What about those we consider committed acts of evil?

 Peter tells us that God shows no partiality which gives us the answer to these questions. Jesus said, “Love one another.” He did not offer exceptions. If he were sitting across from me and I started saying, “What about…” and then gave him my list of those unlovable in my eyes I imagine he would just look at me, smile and say, “Figure it out.” 

If we are to love each other as God loves us there might have to be some change in behavior and mind set to consider. Individuals and institutions might have to dig deep for these changes. 

The love that Jesus commands is a love that changes everything about the way we live and the way we die. This kind of love brings us into communion with each other and with those on the margins of our circles. It is not easy at times and it cannot be forced but if it is practiced it will over time soften our hearts and raise our awareness of the inherent goodness of all of God’s creation. 

Peace,

Anne 

Retreat Leader – Fr. Tom O'Neill, SJ

Fr. Tom O'Neill, SJ is currently on sabbatical after serving as an Associate Pastor at St. Ignatius Parish in Sacramento, CA. He entered the Society of Jesus in September of 1976 and was ordained in June of 1990.

Fr. Tom taught for many years at Loyola High School in Los Angeles and after receiving an M.F.A. in painting from the Pratt Institute in New York, worked in the Fine Arts department at the University of San Francisco. Prior to moving to Sacramento, Fr. Tom served as the Superior of the Jesuit Community at St. Ignatius Prep in San Francisco.

Beginning in 2006, Fr. Tom developed a deep love for the ministry of the Jesuits among the Lakota people of the Pine Ridge Reservation. He worked at Our Lady of the Sioux church in Oglala, South Dakota and served on the Board of Directors of Red Cloud Indian School – the Jesuit mission on the Reservation. In recent years, Fr. Tom has become involved in Recovery work, finding a deep freedom and grace in 12-Step work. At the conclusion of his sabbatical, Fr. Tom looks forward to returning to Loyola High School as Campus Chaplain in August 2024.

Watch for registration information coming soon!

Congratulations to our friend, Fr. Greg Boyle who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden on Friday, May 3.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is considered the U.S. government’s highest civilian honor. Awarded by the President, it is often presented to individuals to recognize a lifetime of significant achievements in the arts, public service, science, or other fields.

Father Greg’s work through Homeboy Industries embodies the transformative power of compassion, forgiveness, and second chances. His unwavering dedication to building bridges across divides and promoting understanding through compassion, kinship and tenderness underscores the importance of empathy and connection in creating a more harmonious society where there is no us and them, only us.

What Father Greg started 36 years ago at Dolores Mission, with what was first called Jobs for the Future, connecting with gang members in Boyle Heights, has now grown to the largest gang rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world, connecting with thousands who seek to redirect their lives toward healing and transformation.

Please consider sharing a congratulatory message with Fr. Greg, and/or making a gift to Homeboy Industries in honor of this distinctive recognition, please click here: https://homeboyindustries.org/father-greg-day/

If practicing meditation and being clear about meaning build resilience, then investing a few hours in composing one’s personal mission statement can strengthen and support discerning wisely. For more information click here.

“The glory of God is a human fully alive.” – St. Iranaeus

As we seek to become more present in the moment, to increase our consciousness of God’s presence in our lives, it’s helpful to articulate our MVP, our meaning, value, and purpose. Research indicates that being clear about the heart’s intent benefits health at the cellular level (telomeres). If practicing meditation and being clear about meaning build resilience, then investing a few hours in composing one’s personal mission statement can strengthen and support discerning wisely.  In the words of the psalmist, “Teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.” 

After a PPT of Annunciation images, and poetic lines of inspiration for opening the heart in daily lives, I will invite participants to engage in three exercises: a timeline, a core value list, and a mission statement draft. Time will be allotted for smaller break-out groups for sharing and offering feedback. In this workshop, we seek to deepen our ability to see and be seen so that we can experience vivacity as we circulate our gifts in service and joy. 

About the Speaker

Leah Marie Buturain Schneider, “Dr. B.” delights in teaching core requirements for LMU’s Department of Theological Studies. Dr. B.’s areas of engagement are the study of late-medieval mysticism and early Netherlandish Visual and Material Culture. Professor Buturain serves on USC’s Mindfulness Science Research Steering Committee and is Spiritual Director at Our Mother of Good Counsel. Dr. B. consults with individuals and social service agencies seeking to enrich the aging process with neurological research and spiritual resources. https://www.leahbuturain.com/

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