By Mary Rohe

Fr. Francis gave a meditation on the importance of personal growth as well as the growth of the Body of Christ, the Church.  We are called to bring people to Jesus especially through the Mass. He gave us vivid images to ponder this reality.  

Drops of Blood

First, we should see ourselves as drops of blood.  Full of oxygen, blood cells can go everywhere, healing and nourishing the whole body!  But blood gets tired because it gives everything to the body. So it travels back to the heart (which is the Church). The heart first pumps these depleted cells to the lungs to be refreshed. This refreshment is what happens during the Eucharist. We are brought up to the holy of holies to participate in the triune love of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Now fully revived, the blood is pumped out again on mission.

Flowing Out

Next, like an adult has more blood cells than a child, an adult Church has a need for more disciples.  Blood cells are multiplied in the bone marrow- which is a very comfortable place to be.  Our retreat room and encounter teams are also comfortable- full of charity and protected places to live our faith.  However we do not remain there safe and isolated.  When we are ready, we join the flow of the body of Christ for the salvation of the world.  

Happy Tornado

Finally, the image of grace as a happy tornado with a diameter as wide as our humility. Our spiritual life is challenged to grow this tornado to become more of who God created us to be.  Humility is accepting the love of God.  The closer we are to God, the closer we are to ourself and consequently the more ready we are to enter heaven.  

Each person has their own tornado and all of these tornados together form the Church’s tornado.  In order for the Church to grow in sanctity, the members must grow in sanctity.  When each person’s tornado touches someone else’s — they can help get them spinning!  Our Regnum Christi motto is “Thy Kingdom Come!”  This can be delayed if we don’t grow our own sanctity and help bring others to Jesus to also grow in sanctity. 

Simple Apostolate 

We were blessed to have Theresa Peach as guest speaker!  She allowed God to stretch her to grow through ministering to young adult women.  No stranger to apostolates, having run many “apostolates in a box” throughout her life as an RC member, she found herself being called by the Holy Spirit to reach an age group that is very hard to reach.  Finding no programs in existence, her first year consisted in praying and gathering names of young women who might be interested. Knowing as Regnum Christi members we are called to be contemplative and evangelizing, she waited for the Holy Spirit’s prompting. When it came – she started simply by inviting them to Panera’s for dinner and discussion.  She opened every meeting with a gospel reflection, and allowed the women to take ownership of the books they would read together. She became the consistent presence for an inconsistent group.  What an inspiration!