By: Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C. on June 17th, 2019

Not in Vain: Family Reflection Video

What does Saint Paul mean?

Today’s Gospel is the pivotal fifth chapter in Matthew’s Gospel and brings out the meaning of the beatitudes in our daily lives. Jesus says not to respond to violence with more anger or hatred. This extraordinary call to non-violence coupled with the call to love others revolutionized society.

Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Dorothy Day, Martin Luther King Jr., and Pier Giorgio Frassati all worked to promote love and caring as the solution to the challenges they faced. Letting the grace of God work through each day of our lives and our actions means we are receiving the grace of God in fullness, and not in vain.

How have you been receiving God’s grace?

Let us pray for the peace and love the Lord inspires to fill the hearts of those in need.

About Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C.

Father Wilfred J. Raymond, C.S.C. (Father Willy), a native of Old Town, Maine, is the eighth of 12 children. He joined the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1964 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1971. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Stonehill College in 1967 and a master’s in Theology from the University of Notre Dame in 1971. He served in ministry at Stonehill College (1979-1992), Holy Cross leadership (1994-2000), National Director of Family Theater Productions, Hollywood (2000-2014), and President of Holy Cross Family Ministries (2014-2022). In addition to English, he is conversant in French and Spanish. He remains a diehard fan of the Boston Red Sox, even though he has served as Chaplain for the Los Angeles Dodgers.