First Day of the Assembly

July 17. We awaken in Aparecida. We are all together now. Late last night the representatives from Caribe and Peru arrived. In the morning, after breakfast, we went to the Basilica of Our Lady of Aperecida for the opening Eucharistic liturgy. During the mass Tino, the General Secretary, helped us reflect on the Assembly in the light of the proclaimed Word. As Lay Claretians we are seeds that should not to be strangled by the weeds of the world in which we live and are sown in. At the same time that we are seed, we are also sowers, evangelizers. We are called to proclaim the Kingdom and to transform the world. As a charismatic movement within the Church we bear a specific color: burning red. It is the color of love, the burning heart of Mary. In that burning fire we are forged as spears that are launched into the world. In this Assembly we are called to discern God’s will in order that we may know the direction in which are to be sent. It does not matter that we are only a few, or that we have difficulties or deficiencies. A little bit of yeast can leaven the whole batch, because the power of the Spirit and the Love of God is with us.

During the Eucharist we share a special remembrance of those who could not be with us, but whom we carry in our hearts. At the return to the retreat house we hold the first session of the Assembly to organize ourselves and to assign responsibilities. The working papers are given, the rights for voting are reviewed, the rules of procedure are approved, and internal assignments and commissions for the Assembly are created. After this we leave for lunch.