Readings:
Exodus 17: 1-7
Romans 5: 1-11
John 4: 5-42
Water is the most significant and essential element in our lives. There would be no life on earth without water. The human body consists of 75% water, and 2/3 of the earth’s surface is water. It is easy to see all of the things that depend on water for life and sustenance.
No wonder today’s readings use water for our reflection which is presented as a gift from God, the source of love and all life.
In the first reading, God provides water in the desert to sustain his people, a symbol of God’s constant care and presence not only for the Israelites, but for us as well.
The second reading tells that God’s love for us is poured out into our hearts even though we are sinners..and God will help us if we truly believe and trust in the immensity of God’s love for us. There is nothing that we can say or do that will take that love from us.
We are all familiar with today’s gospel story which tells us of the sensitive but controversial meeting of Jesus with the un-named Samaritan women at the well. This was a unlikely encounter, since a Jewish man would not be seen speaking to a woman in public and to complicate it more…to a non- Jewish woman with a reputation!
Jesus asks her for a drink but did not really thirst for water . Christ thirsted for her faith and wanted to awaken that faith in her heart by proceeding to tell her that he knows all about her tainted life. He offers her the Living Water of God’s love and boldly tells her that he is the Messiah, the one they are waiting for. She is amazed at his knowledge of all she has done and runs into town to tell the people what she has seen and heard. They also began to believe and invited him to stay a few days in Samaria, which he did, although against Jewish law.
Does this story give us hope and trust as well? Do we really believe in God’s loving care and concern for us? Can we likewise reach out in friendship and love to others to offer them the Living Water of Jesus, the good news of God’s unconditional love for them?
Lent is a special season of grace in the church and a good time for us to examine our own lives and nourish our souls with the Living Water of God’s love, which will transform us in unimaginable ways!
A happy and blessed Lent to you.
Sister Josita DiVita, F.D.C.
Lenten Reflection: The Second Sunday
March 12, 2017
READINGS: Genesis 12:1-4a
2 Timothy 1: 8b- 10
Matthew 17: 1-9
Light, Fire, Love, are transformative!
Light, Fire, Love, manifest the presence of God!
Light, Fire, Love, have fascinated human beings all through all the ages!
In today’s Gospel, Peter, James and John were overshadowed by the Transfiguration of Jesus. The light, radiance, and glory of the Lord moved them to respond to the miracle right before their very eyes. Albeit, their desire to build three tents wasn’t exactly where they were being led. But their insight, “Lord, it is good for us to be here” was a Eureka moment.
Here and now, this moment is where we encounter the Living God, the radiant face of God, in Jesus. Here and now, we are offered the fire of God’s love through the Holy Spirit. Here and now the power of God’s love (grace) will energize us to live this moment to the fullest. Every second of every day blesses us with a transforming opportunity, a miracle to see, and to know how “good it is for US to be HERE”. How awesome it is when sometimes in some of those moments we actually notice and are aware of the miracle working within us. How we long to hold on to those moments to keep them in our memory and within our hearts.
Perhaps this week and all throughout Lent we can pray for this graced awareness. Perhaps we can pray to be faithful enough to let God’s Light, Fire, and Love transform our hearts, so that our faces, our words, and our deeds, manifest the joy of our Risen Savior.
Be aware this Lent!
Sr. Gerrie Contento,M.P.F.
Lenten Reflection: The First Sunday
March 5, 2017
READINGS: Genesis2: 7-9, 3:1-7
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4: 1-11
Any Jewish or Christian person with a basic knowledge of the Scriptures is well familiar with this Sunday’s First Reading from Genesis.
Have you ever noticed that no matter how many times we hear this story of the creation, the blessing, and ultimately the sin of Adam and Eve, we tend to almost always be fascinated, captivated, and drawn into it? I have a suspicion that at some level we are aware that we are listening to an often repeated chapter of our own life story.
As Catholic Christians, our baptism has made us a new creation in Christ. The Holy Spirit has breathed the very life of God into our souls. We have been empowered to confidently live our lives as a beloved daughter or son of God. Furthermore our baptism has called us into a unique partnership with God, to continue his work of using, sharing and improving the gift of all creation. There are no limits to this work, this sharing, this partnership, as long as we remember from whom the power comes. Yet this is exactly what our first parents, and WE forget.
In the midst of our delighting in the beauty, the knowledge, the limitless possibilities that the created world, indeed the entire universe, offers to us, we lose sight of our Source, the Lord of Creation. Losing sight of the Real Source invites us to entertain the notion to eat the forbidden fruit, so that we too, can be like God. Adam and Eve, and each one of us have gone to that forbidden place, and have eaten the forbidden fruit. Like our first parents who made loincloths to cover their naked, vulnerable selves, we fashion an ego centered persona to cover our real , fragile, broken selves.
But how amazing is God’s grace, God’s love, God’s forgiveness!
When we become aware of God’s grace, and choose to accept it, we in one form or another voice the words of today’s responsorial psalm ” Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned”
Can we begin this Lent with one heart, and joined hands, and reach back to all humanity, indeed even to Adam and Eve, and humbly and joyfully pray the last two verses of today’s psalm:
“A clean heart create for me O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me.
Open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.”
Have a delightful Lent!
Sr. Gerrie Contento, M.P.F.
Our Sisters at Work at Saint Elizabeth Briarbank
A Christmas Celebration in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
There was great excitement in the air on this day, December 21st, the beginning of the Winter Solstice – the day which brings an increase of light. This day announced the O Antiphon, “O Oriens”, O Radiant Light, O Rising Sun, announcing the coming of the True Light, Jesus Christ, Our Savior!
On this evening, the Sisters of the Daughters of Divine Charity gathered with the Residents, Workers, and Volunteers of St. Elizabeth Briarbank for their annual Christmas celebration. Festivities began with a supper shared by all. The celebration continued with everyone’s favorite Christmas Carols, a few games of Bingo, and a visit from Santa Claus!
This joyful event, began with the “First Star”, as all await the arrival of First Star of Christmas Eve, shining forth the Good News of the Birth of Jesus. Fun and a good times were had by all. On behalf of the Daughters of Divine Charity, Merry Christmas!
May the joy, love, and peace of our Savior be with you all, always.
Feast of the Epiphany
Readings: Is: 60: 1-6
Eph: 72: 1-2, 7-8, 10-13
Matt: 2: 1-12
Today’s readings fill us with hope…the waiting is over…a star has appeared…a Light has shone in the darkness. God has manifested himself to us by sending his only begotten son.
The shepherds in the fields were inspired by the angels to follow the star to the stable. As they approached, they saw this tiny, unassuming child lying in the manger.
They fell to their knees in unexpected homage for they felt the sacredness in this humble setting.
Unlike the poor shepherds, the Magi persevered in traveling a great distance from the East on their way to Bethlehem. It was a journey of wonder and anticipation as they followed the star, in search of the child who has been born king of the Jews. When the star stopped over the stable they were astonished at what they saw, yet overwhelmed with joy. They bowed down , and like the shepherds , worshipped him. The gifts they brought were an expression of their faith and trust, realizing who this simple, little child was. They brought gold for a king; frankincense for someone divine ,and myrrh for anointing at his burial. These wise men from the East looked for nothing in return but received the awesome gift of an encounter with the divine.
Can we, like the magi, keep our eyes fixed on the star so as to recognize our Lord and Savior even when we encounter him in unexpected people and in the simple wonders of everyday life?
Expect to be surprised with an overabundance of God’s gifts in 2017.
Sister Josita DiVita, F.D.C.
CHRISTMAS DAY
December 25, 2016
Readings from the Mass at Dawn
First Reading: Isaiah 62: 11- 12
Second Reading: Paul to Titus: 3:4 – 7
Gospel: Luke 2: 15 – 20
The Mystery of the Incarnation, like the other mysteries of our faith, are often captured in the lyrics of a hymn. The well known carol, “ What Child is This” touches our hearts and spirits with the reality, that the Creator of heaven and earth, the King of the Universe, manifests his presence in the simplicity of a Babe resting in his mother’s arms.
“ What Child is this, who laid to rest
On Mary’s lap, is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping.
Haste, haste, to bring him laud,
the Babe, the Son of Mary .”
St. Augustine, in his Sermons, 189,3, deepens our understanding and the challenging implications of the Mystery of the Incarnation.
“His Mother carried him in her womb, may we carry him in our hearts;
the Virgin became pregnant with the Incarnation of Christ, may our hearts become
pregnant with faith in Christ; she brought forth the Savior, may our souls bring forth
salvation and praise.
May our souls be not sterile, but fertile for God.”
May we all become pregnant with the true Love, Joy and Peace of Christmas, and share HIM our whole life long!
Enjoy a Holy, Healthy, Merry Christmas !!!
Sr. Gerrie Contento, M.P.F.