The shiny shoes of the Fisherman.Simon Peter saith to them: I go a fishing to Germany.
(cf. Jn. 21:3)
The old, gnarled face of our Helmsman at 84.
Thou art Peter.A Helmsman's tears are concealed by the sea spray.
But he is not alone,
he shares in our time
the sorrows of the Sacred Heart.
Christ through Benedict steers the Ark of Salvation.
Pray for the Helmsman,
hold on for your life,
and thank God that
we who are with him
are in the only unsinkable ship on this wild sea.
And I say to thee: That thou art Peter;
and upon this rock I will build my church,
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
(Mt. 16:18)
Thank you Father for this beautiful post, especially the picture of the fisherman at the helm!
ReplyDeleteDear Fathers
ReplyDeleteIt has been reported that not all members of your community are in full communion with Rome. This saddened me and I will be grateful if you will comment.
I had forgotten that certain ancient authorities add "to Germany" at Jn 21:3. :-) God bless our German Shepherd.
ReplyDeleteDavid
Dear David
ReplyDeleteAll the members of our community are indeed in full communion with the Holy See and are subject to the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei.
At the time of our reconciliation, 18 June 2008, we lost several members who would not take the step of reconciliation with us, but these, our separated brethren, could not now be numbered amongst the member this community of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer.
In this we are reminded of the words of Our Lord: Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword. For I came to set a man at variance against his father etc. (Mt. 10:35).
It would be a great grace to have had the reconciliation of our entire community as it was at that time. This seldom happens.
Reconciliation is painful for those who make it and for those who, for whatever reason, will not make it.
In conclusion, if it were not for the obligation of being submitted to Peter, humanly speaking, nobody would make a reconciliation since the price is very, very high. But, by God's grace it has been made now; and by that reconciliation, the lines were clearly drawn; the sword of division cut in such a way that it left our community thoroughly united, one, submitted to Peter, in Full Communion with Rome and the Church. By God's Grace and the Perseverance won us by Our Lady, we peacefully maintain this inner and ecclesial unity. The cost was high; the smarting is over with; we have been given new life by Our Lord and we rejoice in it. 'Behold how good and how pleasant where brethren dwell in unity' (Ps. 132).
Fr. Michael Mary
23 September, 2011