"In all their journeys" (Exodus 40.38)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Carmel;

The season of Lent and the Easter season can be enlightened by the reading of the Book of Exodus; and rightly so. This Book starts by describing for us the way the Jews settled in Egypt, and how God has delivered them from their enslavement and brought them to the Land of Peace, the Land of Milk and Honey.

What I want to share with you is a short reflection on why this Book makes this comment of "Journeys" when in actual fact it was one journey !

First of all, the Midrash speaks about the Book of Exodus as a description of how the Jewish people departed from darkness to light. When the Book of Exodus speaks about "journeys" it refers more to "the encampments between the journeys" rather then the journeys themselves. Because as Rashi comments, the Jews journey from one encampment to another, and also because until they really entered the Promised Land they could not be properly said to be "Liberated"; then journey after journey made up these journeys that Ex 40.38 speaks about.

It can rightly be said that every stop that the Jewish people experienced, was a sign that the journey was put on hold, and this behaviour prolonged the liberation that God was determined to give them.

Because the word of God is light, every time the people listened to God's word, they were enlightened and encouraged to pull out of the darkness and dwell into the Light of the Glory of God's children. Easter is indeed the Feast of Our Freedom. It liberates us and helps us to walk as Children of the light.

As we enter this month of April, Easter shines upon us manifesting God's steadfast and unconditional love. May every one of us radiate this light so that those who are in darkness be enlightened to follow the light that dispels all the darkness.

It was very encouraging to see so many ocds members at the Day of Reflection in Kitchener. There were members who travelled over three hours to be with us and the hospitality was great. Fr Lopsinger and his parishioners were very welcoming. May God reward them for their hospitality. The Community of Our Lady of Victory worked hard to make every one of us feel welcomed and relaxed in the Lord.

During these past months we were also honoured with visitations from Fr Provincial, Fr Alfred Grech, and also by the visitation of Fr Stephen Watson, Second Definitor, who was with us for a short while. After the visitation of Fr Provincial, Fr Manny came to London to spend some time on holiday and then he was called to Malta to continue his apostolate there. Fr Victor, the Pastor at Our Lady of Fatima, is doing a great job, and the Bishop and myself are very happy with his dedication and hard work.

God willing in May I am away for few days, going to Malta to assist at the Wedding of my niece Sue Elen, and on my return having a day of reflection with the Communities East of Toronto. I also want to take this opportunity to congratulate Bob Farmer, the husband of Carmel Farmer, on being called to be ordained and serve as Permanent Deacon (May 9th, Penbrooke). May the Good Lord help him in his ministry.

I cannot conclude without reminding you of the General Chapter which will be taking place in Fatima, Portugal, in April after Easter. Please keep all the Fathers present and the Order in your prayers. Continue to pray for Vocations so that the Lord will send more labourers into His Vineyard.

I had a nice and most welcoming visit to our Sisters at St Agatha, and our Sisters in Zephyr are doing very well planning to continue their landscaping. Your contributions towards the Centre are most welcome so that as early as possible we will procure a piece of land.

Fr Victor, and myself, together with the ocds are planning to organize a few spiritual talks on the Saints of Our Order to the ocds. These talks will be open public. As soon as the dates are settled we will let you know.

Please keep me in your prayers so that His Word will become flesh in me too.

May all of you enjoy a Joyful and Prayerful Easter. May God shower you and yours will His Blessings of PEACE !! Continue to work hard for HIS GLORY and may He reward every one of you who strive to do His will.

"Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, 'Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things." (Luke 24. 45-48)

Happy Easter!

With gratitude and prayers,

In Carmel,

Fr Dominic, OCD