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LENTEN REFLECTIONS++ FIFTH SUNDAY ++REFLECTION FOR MARCH 21, 2021 THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

A Whole Lot of Trouble

“I am troubled. ” John 12: 27″Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” John 12:21″He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.”

Hebrews 5:9

Today throughout the Dioceses of the United States crosses and images are covered in the church. Crosses remain covered until Good Friday. Images and statues remain covered until the beginning of the Easter vigil. When this is carried out during lent, I always feel ill-at-ease. I am so familiar with the images surrounding the church, and not having the cross to venerate while meditating, praying the rosary, or the divine chaplet affects me. The cross gives me a sense of stability and rootedness in an otherwise crazy world. What does the cross mean to me? It is a sign of sacrifice, salvation, and a reminder that Jesus is the mediator between God and man. The source of eternal life.
I, like the Greeks in the gospel reading today, would like to see Jesus. The thought of not having Him is something I cannot comprehend. It gives me great comfort to bring my woes, hurts, problems, and love to the foot of the cross. Lent during the pandemic last year, left me spiritually wanting. It made me even more grateful for the church and especially the Eucharist. To be in His presence in the Tabernacle and being able to receive the body, blood soul and divinity of Christ during communion is such a gift.

The Greeks knew Jesus had the answer to eternal salvation and they sought Him out. Jesus was “troubled” because he knew what he would have to experience in his Passion. There was a price to pay and Christ paid it. Obedient to death on a cross.

In our own lives, we may be afraid, or dreading the pain or experience ahead of us in any given situation, Christ shows us to have courage and see it through, if it is indeed God’s will. Christ understands what being troubled is and that is why we can bring our own troubles to Him. Suffering and sacrifice is necessary to grow in the spiritual life.

In the second reading of Hebrews we are told that Christ was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him. Obedience, dying to self, discerning and doing God’s will is the way to perfection and everlasting life. This is the way of the saints. This is the way of Christ. Troubled or not it is the way we must follow if we wish to see Jesus

Happy Feast of St. Joseph

“All Sisters have an unending trust in our holy Father Joseph.  Besides the Mother of our Lord he was confident and is also our greatest advocate and protector.  May this love and this trust never be diminished in the Sisters of the Congregation.”    

(Chronicle, I., November 1, 1876)

 “Sisters, honor good Saint Joseph especially during this month, and commend the Society’s intentions to his intercession.”   (Mother Franziska Lechner, Circular 3-2-1885)

Memorare to St. Joseph

Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who implored your help and sought your intercession was left unaided.  Full of confidence in your power I come to you and beg your protection.  Despise not O Guardian of the Redeemer my petitions, but in your goodness, hear and answer me.   Amen.    St. Joseph, Intercede for us!   

God Bless and keep you in His loving embrace, 
Sister Mary and Sisters

LENTEN REFLECTIONS++ FOURTH SUNDAY ++REFLECTION FOR MARCH 14, 2021 THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

A Blooming Orchid

“And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light because their works were evil … but whoever lives the truth comes into the light.”

John 3:19-20

Today is the Laetare Sunday which comes from Isaiah 66:10 Laetare Jerusalem which means (Rejoice, O Jerusalem) in Latin. It is a day of celebration at the midpoint of Lent. The rigors of the penitentialpractices are relaxed as we wait with joyful hope for Easter Sunday which is only three weeks away. This promise of eternal life is the reason for our joy as Christians. The purple vestments are replaced with the color rose and flowers are allowed on the altar. Light, rebirth, and renewal are evident.
Sunlight floods St. Ann’s, my parish church, and the golden tabernacle behind the altar glistens under the stained-glass window depicting Christ’s Passion. His presence is evident to me and the light brightens my soul and comforts me. I never want to be without that divine light.

This year Laetare Sunday coincides with the return of Daylight savings time. Light and joy are ever present. The gospel reading from John recounts Christ’s own words that He is the Light who came into the world to illuminate our lives. Light and truth are one in the same. The light allows us to see the shadows blocking the light from reaching our souls and penetrating our lives. What see and transform the shadows with the help of God’s grace. This grace is received in the sacrament of Reconciliation the Eucharist, and through prayer, fasting, and conversion.

Jesus is quite clear. Light is needed to see the truth. Darkness obstructs the light. The more our souls and lives become dark by perpetual sin (which is missing the mark in our relationship with God, ourselves and others) the more difficult it is to see the truth of Christ. This is the hardened heart repeatedly referred to in scripture. Our souls need the light.

I have an orchid that sits on top of a wardrobe in my bedroom. The orchid is directly across from the window. The orchid’s growth is where the sunlight streams through the window. The orchid reaches for the sun and every day it becomes healthier and more beautiful as it buds and blooms in the sun. We are like that orchid. We will only become what we were created to be with the help of the light.

Are you in the path of the light?

LENTEN REFLECTIONS++ THIRD SUNDAY ++REFLECTION FOR MARCH 7, THE THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

“I’ve Got the Power”

Responsorial Psalm, “Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.” John 6: 68C1 Corinthians 1:24 “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”

Today’s Responsorial Psalm and the 2nd reading in 1st Corinthians asks us to ponder the question asked and answered by Peter, “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of everlasting life.” John 6: 68C. “Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:24

Peter with all his failings, knew that Christ was the answer. In fact, Christ is the answer to every question. What will bring us peace? What will give us hope? How do we live? How do we make decisions? Jesus is the way the truth and the life. 

Jesus, whose very name means God saves, saves us. He is called Emmanuel God with us; He is always with us. In his life we see the meaning of our lives; to love, follow, and be with him in eternity. We receive his power and grace through prayer, reading His word, and doing and obeying the will of His Father. 

By encountering Jesus we learn how to encounter others. In moments of silent prayer we enter into relationship with Him. His love for us enables our own love; touching each soul we meet with His love. This is God’s power. This is God’s wisdom. Love God, and by loving God we too can love our neighbor. This is embodied in the wisdom and teaching of the ten commandments in the first reading of Exodus 20. The Ten Commandments teach us the habits, values, and behaviors needed to love God, neighbor, and self. 

Perhaps Saint Teresa of Calcutta put it best, “We all have a duty to serve God where we are. It is the person that matters. I believe in person to person encounters.”

Do you have the power and wisdom for whom you will encounter today?

LENTEN REFLECTIONS++ SECOND SUNDAY ++REFLECTION FOR February 28, 2021

Will You Pass the Test?
Mark 9:7 – Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son.  Listen to him.”  
Genesis 22:16-17, “Because you acted as you did and not withholding from me your beloved Son, I will bless you abundantly.”
Romans 8:31-32, “If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but handed him over to us all.  How will he not give us everything else along with him.”

The Liturgy of the Word, prayed at every mass of the faithful around the world is a beautiful gift the Church gives us.  It is a present bestowed on us every day.  As we hear and meditate on the Word, we carefully unwrap this gift to discover what lies beneath.  The living Word speaks to our souls.  The Old Testament reading, the second reading, and the Gospel are all connected.  A spiritual truth is revealed.  It is the ribbon that wraps the gift that is presented to us.  

On the second Sunday of Lent, this is especially the case.  In the first reading, Abraham is called to a great test of faith, “the binding of Isaac,” referred to as Abedah in the Jewish commentaries.  This passage is a preemptive for Christ’s passion.  It shows God’s love for us by sacrificing his Son as the Lord for the new covenant.  Something he spared Abraham.  

Abraham withstood the task in his willingness to give his Son, Isaac, to God.  What is really the meaning of God’s request and the reason?  It is a test to allow Abraham to ask if there is anything in his life more important than God?  What is he attached to that is keeping him from following God and doing his will?  This is something we must ask ourselves if we are to progress in the spiritual journey.  It is a question that needs to be asked continually.  

The second reading is by St. Paul and he asks, “If God is for us, who can be against us? Roman 8:31.  What more do we need?    

What does God give Abraham for his faithfulness, trust and surrender?  He promises because you acted as you did and not withhold from me your beloved Son, I will bless you abundantly. 

This leads us to the Gospel reading of the transfiguration.  The Greek word, transfiguration, means metamorphosis in English.  This transformation is the spiritual journey we are all called to.  The Father shares the divinity of his Son and tells us how we, too, can share in his divine nature by “listening to him.”  Mark 9:7.  This is the abundant blessing we, too, can receive – oneness with God through Christ.  Archbishop Louis Martinez, spiritual author and the first official primate of Mexico, puts this perfectly, “Do you wish to look at the Father?  Look at Jesus.”  

This Lent ask: what am I withholding from God?  Is it my time, talent, money?  Where do I lack faith and trust?  Am I spending time with him?  Am I listening to him?  Am I obeying his commands and His will?  Will I pass the test?  It is a test we must not fail.

LENTEN REFLECTIONS++ FIRST SUNDAY ++REFLECTION FOR February 21, 2021THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

Join us on a Lenten Journey thanks to Anne-Louise DePalo.

DROWNING IN THE SEA OF LIFE

“I will establish my covenant with you that never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyed by the waters of the flood.” Genesis 9:11.

Do you ever feel like you are drowning? I often find myself being swept away by what seems like a tidal wave in the sea of life. There are times I feel as if I am gasping for air. Other times, I feel as if I am just treading water. I am not moving forward. In our lives, we encounter crushing waves, being dragged down into the deep, and just treading water.So, what do we do? Where do we turn when we receive crushing or devastating news? Perhaps we realize our marriage or relationship is broken beyond repair. Perhaps we have lost a loved one or lost a job. At times such as these, we are often filled with confusion, fear, and anxiety about the future. In essence, we are drowning. 

How does one stay afloat? 

1. Stop fighting and going against the current. Swim along the side of it. The more you fight, the further under you go, and the further you deplete your energies and resources. 

2. Allow someone to rescue you by giving you a life preserver to grab onto, buoying yourself up so you can get to shore.

3. Have a trained lifeguard, or strong swimmer, swim out to us and carry us to shore. 

Each of these can be applied to our own lives.The Sunday bible passage of Genesis, Chapter 9, recounts the story of Noah, and God promises Noah that He will never again destroy us by a flood. This is a covenant He has made with us. Christ makes a further promise that in times of trouble, seek Him and He will rescue us as He is our Savior.

So, when you are caught in a riptide, ask yourself, “Am I fighting, kicking and screaming, not accepting what is happening?” Are you going against the tide? Are you thinking you going it alone and not surrendering to His love and providence? 

When you need a life preserver are you asking for help? Are you praying for support, courage, discernment? Are you asking God to send people into your life who can help you and then accept their advice and helping hand? For example, are you seeking an attorney, a therapist, a health provider if you are ill, a priest, a financial advisor, a support group or a good friend? If you are you can no longer tread water and stuck are you looking for the lifeguard who is swimming toward you? Are you meeting him half-way. Are you aware of God’s covenant with you? Are you acknowledging Him? Are you participating in His covenant?

So, again, I ask the question, what do you do when you are drowning? Surrender, ask for help, take it, and pray to God. Look for the lifesaver. He is there. You need only to hold on for dear life. Do not let go, and Christ will bring you to shore.