March 2010 Family Newsletter GLOBAL CATHOLIC NETWORK By Deacon Bill Steltemeier “Lord and Father, grant that Your Holy Spirit may fill me with an awareness of Your Will in the present moment. I want to see Your Providence, Your guidance and Your grace in my daily life. Forgive me when I rebel because Your Will seems harsh at times. My light is dimmed by self-will and selfishness. May our Wills join into one Will so I may do in this life what I shall do for all eternity – perfectly united to Your Will.” – Mother Angelica Dear Family, I have been thinking a lot about the importance of saying “YES” to the Lord. It’s so easy to say “NO,” or to say “MAYBE,” or to mutter a half-hearted “TRY ME AGAIN LATER.” But to say a firm “YES,” without any clauses or stipulations, that’s not easy. How often in our day-to-day life do we respond with a “YES…BUT,” or a “YES…AND”, or a “YES…IF?” It’s much easier to say any of these phrases, rather than to say the all-encompassing detached “YES, LORD. HERE I AM. I COME TO DO YOUR WILL.” When Our Lord asks for our consent, He desires a “YES” that is full of trust and full of hope…a “YES” that is devoid of self-protection clauses. When He asks us to follow Him, He desires a “YES” that is fully aware of His vast love. Often we can be trapped in tunnel vision, only seeing the small and miniscule portion of His Will that can be difficult or demanding. We fail to see the love; we fail to see what comes after the cross; we fail to see with the eyes of faith. When this is where we are in our spiritual life, the clauses and stipulations are sure to be a part of our “YES.” Why? Because we desire to control the outcome – falsely believing that we can provide better for ourselves than can Our Lord. How mistaken we are! I enjoy meditating on Our Lady’s “YES,” which is so full of trust, child-like love, and humble honesty. When the Angel Gabriel announced the message of all messages to Our Lady, it was in a silent simplicity. First, he greeted her: “Hail, Full of Grace! The Lord is with you.” Our Lady was greatly startled and pondered what this might mean. Certainly, when Our Lord approaches us, it is not in such a grand way as sending the Archangel Gabriel. Yet, similarly, it’s quite natural to be startled by the nearness of the Divine, pondering what He desires. Then, the Archangel says those three words that put the heart at ease: “Be not afraid.” Does our guardian angel not speak the same words to us? Certainly! And don’t these words put our hearts at ease, as well! It’s as if a big sigh from the very depth of our soul escapes when these three simple words are spoken: “Be not afraid.” Then, the Archangel informs Our Lady that she will conceive and bear a Son. The Holy Spirit will overshadow her. And this Son will be Son of God. Those Archangels don’t mince words! There is a lot packed into his message – so much that the world would never be the same. Often, we can feel the same way when Our Lord asks for a life change, whether it is conversion, vocation, or deeper holiness of life. There is a lot packed into His command. Life will never be the same. Again and again we need to hear those words: “Be not afraid.” Then, like Our Lady, we must allow those words to sink into our very soul and to take root there. Then and only then will we be able to hear what God is asking and to respond with trust. Now, even in the midst of trust, we often have questions. The Lord knows this and wants us to voice these concerns. He waits to listen and to answer. Our Lady asked the Archangel how this could be. And, like her, we can ask our questions. That’s not a lack of faith. It’s faith that leads us to ask questions that are full of hope and wonder and humility. Then, in the still silence, we hear Our Lady’s resolute YES: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” She did not say: “YES, if, and or but.” Just simply “YES.” And the Word was made Flesh. Family, offer to God your simple “YES.” Then, watch as the wonders of His love begin to unfold right before your very eyes. I love you, Family. In Jesus and Mary, Deacon Bill Steltemeier Chairman