Brother Andre’, the Millennium Generation and practice of faith

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today features texts with surprising twists. The Book of Exodus tells of Israel’s success over an enemy army by the apparently unrelated act of Moses holding up his arms as he sought the intervention of God. The letter of Paul to Timothy exhorts him to use Scripture for teaching and to be persistent rather than being caught up in scheduling, strategizing and planning. Persist in the action is the message in Luke’s Gospel as the persistent widow finally gets justice for the corrupt judge. Jesus comments on the relationship of this persistence to faith. Faithfulness is evidenced in persistence. Who “practices the faith”? The faithful grow in faith and understanding through persistent practice. The amazing story of Brother Andre, the door keeper of St Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal, who today is canonized as St Andre Besette, sought to enter studies with the religious order at St. Joseph’s Oratory and they “showed him the door”. From this place at the door, he brought healing, compassion and love to thousands. The great diversity, openness and social ability of the Millennium Generation as they move through their education to the work force generates hope that the problems of the world will fall to capable hands. The model of Brother Andre will offer the patience and faithfulness to complement the energy of youth.