“Like the community of Jesus’ friends in the days after the Ascension, we may find ourselves comfortless, vulnerable, helplessly ignorant of any of the possibilities that God might have in store, faced with gargantuan challenges and daily choices that could have consequences far beyond our own imagining—both for good and for ill.”

Br. Sean Glenn finds wisdom for coping with today in the Scriptures describing how the disciples navigated the uncertain days between Jesus’ Ascension and the day of Pentecost.

“God’s generosity is so overflowing, that he longs for each one of us, whoever we are, whether we feel like a stranger, or unworthy, God longs for us to ‘come home’, to come and live with God forever. You could say that the whole Gospel is about God inviting and welcoming each one of us with these gracious words, ‘Mi casa es su casa’: ‘my home is your home.’”

In this time of isolation, Br. Geoffrey Tristram invites us to consider how we have known hospitality and how we can share it now.

“All of us have experienced pain in this time of coronavirus.  Many have experienced significant loss and grief.  The experience of suffering is an unavoidable part of the human condition.  And yet, even in suffering, we can look forward to the joy of deliverance.”

Br. David Vryhof encourages us to lift our eyes above the suffering of the present moment.

“If the present time is making you feel stir crazy, bored, or listless, don’t put your life on hold! Instead, consider whether this might be an invitation to you from the Spirit, to live life abundantly: now… today.”

Br. Geoffrey Tristram invites us to ask the Spirit’s help in discovering and experiencing abundant life, even in the midst of pandemic.

“God’s love surrounds you on every side and in every circumstance of life, and that love can never fail, or be taken from you.  You are loved unconditionally, now and forever.  Abide in that love, draw strength from it every day, rest in it every night.  Whatever you’re going through right now, of this you can be sure: you are deeply loved by God, and always will be. God will never forsake you.”

In these times of trial, Br. David Vryhof encourages us to draw on Christ’s strength, trust in his power, claim his steadfastness, and embrace his promise of life.