THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

NOVEMBER 17, 2024
Before beginning the reflection on today's readings I can't help but mention the wonderful words of today's opening collect, the prayer Father recites at the beginning of the Mass. The opening words of today's prayer are quite remarkable. They truly touched my heart. They read, "Grant us, we pray, 0 Lord our God, the constant gladness of being devoted to you ... "It is a gift that God has given us the desire to hear and understand His Word. That opening sentence could be a full day's reflection before we even turn our attention to the readings of the day. How often am I truly glad that I am in a relationship with a loving and faithful God?
The first reading that the Church gives us today is taken from the prophet Daniel, and it foretells a time of great distress. At the same time it assures us that those who are wise will shine in splendor. Daniel encourages us to strive to remain among those who are faithful to God despite the difficulties they face.
The Psalm response continues this same positive theme, reminding us that "With the Lord ever before me I will not be disturbed." The Psalm calls us to be joyful even when we face hardships.
The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews continues this theme. It encourages us to reflect on the love of Jesus who offers Himself as our healing sacrifice. Through Him we have forgiveness of our sins and assurance of God's faithful love. The words should be a great consolation to us.
In the Gospel of Mark Jesus promises us that even when we face difficulties in life we are not alone because a loving God is always protecting us.
The readings of today call us to trust in a loving God and to be filled with hope and joy even as we face the difficulties that life can send us.
-Sister Elizabeth Buchala

THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

NOVEMBER 10, 2024
Mark 12: 38-44
As I read the Gospel for Sunday I was reminded about an incident that occurred while in Salamanca, Chile. One day several women appeared at our door advising me that there was a family in their area in need of help. The mother was still recovering from an illness and the children were getting desperate for some food. The women wanted to go door to door to ask neighbors for whatever anyone could contribute. Needless to say I was deeply touched that they were not only aware and genuinely concerned about their neighbor’s need but willing to take their time, energy, and resources—poor as they were too—to help.
In my opinion, today’s Gospel has little to do about money as such, but everything to do with generosity that comes from the heart. Jesus condemns the Scribes not because they are rich, but because in reality they are poor in what counts: They lack self-giving. The widow is praised not because she is poor, but because she is rich in what counts: self-giving. The Scribes seem to have it all now: status, power, clothes, seats of honor, wealth, but will lose everything. Contrary to this, the widow has little and surrenders even that, so will end up gaining everything.
The widow models for us what true discipleship entails. There is no generosity without personal cost of time, energy, or money. And recognition and openness to another’s need sparks generosity. It’s all about seeing with the eyes of the heart. In our society in which many pass by while rushing to somewhere, or talking on their phones, it’s quite challenging to even notice faces much less their needs. And so I pray with you: ‘Lord, keep us aware of the needs of others and help us to respond generously.’ -Sister Ann Marie Grasso

THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

NOVEMBER 3, 2024
All of Scripture is the story of God’s love for us. It is our salvation history, the story of our redemption through Jesus Christ. All that is asked of humankind in return is that we love God and one another, and follow God’s way. Today’s readings say that quite explicitly. But there are so many passages from Scripture that speak of God’s faithful and merciful love that, perhaps, we just take it for granted. Or, we tend to live as we please, trusting that God’s loving forgiveness will ultimately be our salvation. When we look at the world around us, and focus on human relationships, from families to international relations, do we see evidence that we have achieved love of neighbor? We might know what is expected of a Christian, but have we achieved it? How do we love?
Excerpts from Elizabeth Barrett Brownings famous Sonnet 43, “How Do I Love Thee” might teach us something about how to love: How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach . . . I love thee freely, as men strive for right. I love thee purely, as they turn from praise. I love thee with the passion put to use in my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith. I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears, of all my life . . .
These words are presumed to have been addressed to the author’s husband, but if human love can be so strong, can we not, should we not, love God with even greater intensity? Perhaps we can pray our own sonnet to God: How do I love Thee? Let me count the ways . . .
-Regina Murphy, SSMN

THIRTIETH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

OCTOBER 27, 2024
Jer 31:7-9 Ps 126 Heb 5:1-6 Mk 10:46-52
Today’s reading from the prophet Jeremiah focuses on the fulfillment of God’s Promise to deliver his People from their exile. God will deliver a remnant, the anawim (the lowly ones who remained faithful to God). This remnant is made up not only of the poor, but of the blind and the lame, etc – not people whom you would expect to be among those called to reclaim their homeland. But with the heart of a father, God protects those he has called, setting them on a level road so that no one will stumble, not even the least of them.
In the gospel we see Jesus choosing to heal another of the anawim: a blind beggar. Bartimaeus will not be silenced as he calls out to Jesus to have pity on him. Jesus then praises his faith, and Bartimaeus ultimately follows Jesus. It is a story of Faith, of a person who knows that Jesus has the power to heal him, and he won’t let the naysayers silence him. He may be blind physically, but spiritually he sees more clearly than many of those Jesus walked among.
Sometimes we are tempted to reduce our faith to a set of principles, and we forget that it’s really about how much we believe in Jesus and cling to him. It’s about Who we believe Jesus is, and what that means in our lives. It’s about sensing that God cares about each of us individually; he cares about the problems that plague our lives, and also about the condition of our heart. God cares when we get discouraged because the struggle is long and difficult… God cares, and he walks with us through those difficulties. Sometimes he miraculously breaks through them and opens the door to healing and wholeness – but sometimes he doesn’t. At those times, we need the Faith of Bartimaeus, to be so convinced that God is on our side that nothing can discourage us and cause our faith to slip. Jesus is Emmanuel, God who is always with us – and nothing should be able to shake our faith in him. The famous hymn “How can I keep from Singing” proclaims:“No storm can shake my inmost calm
 While to that rock I'm clinging;
 Since Love is Lord of heaven and earth, 
How can I keep from singing?” By Robert Wadsworth Lowry Video: Sung by NYC Virtual Choir and Orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLPP3XmYxXg
As Christians, we should always keep on singing. Our hearts should never get discouraged or bogged down, because the God of Love walks beside us through every difficulty, and will bring us through to the other side. May our hearts remember this, and never forget how to sing…
 -Sr. Patrice Yarborough

TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

OCTOBER 20, 2024
Isaiah 53:10-11 Psalm 33: 4-5, 18-19, 20, 22 Hebrews 4:14-16 Mark 10: 35-45 As I visualize the words in today’s Gospel, I imagine children in a playground, competing against one another, wanting to be chosen for a certain team, wanting to be the leader, wanting to have the most friends. Is this competition only a part of childhood or is it ingrained in each of us since the origins of the world? In this time of numerous international wars, of drastic climate change, and of human insensibility, we ask “Where is God? Does God have the power to bring healing and peace to us and our world?” Mark presents James and John, simple fishermen, as coming to Jesus, the Teacher, to ask a huge favor of him. Maybe they think that by calling him “Teacher”, they will have an “in” with him and become powerful! Like little children, they ask for what captures their imagination: To be first. After all this time of following Jesus, do they not know that the throne of Jesus the Christ is the Cross? But James and John are not the only ones whose vision is skewed. The other disciples, the “ten” become indignant probably because they feel left out of the request for “splendor and glory”. Are we also in this group? The inspired Word of God in the excerpt from Isaiah and from the Letter to the Hebrews, plainly invites us to put our trust in the loving presence and forgiveness of our God. We are invited time and again to ask for the forgiving love of God and of one another. We can admit our compromises and our deafness of heart. How? By simply accepting the love of God who has first loved us. Jesus has opened his heart and his arms on the Cross in the great gesture of love and forgiveness. We are embraced by the forgiving love of our Savior. Will we try to embrace ourselves and others in that love? Will we who are forgiven time and again by our God not share that forgiving love with others including creation? Our God is the incarnate love who forgives and heals. All we need do is to “let go and let God”. After all is said and done, our baptismal ambition is not to sit on a throne!
 -Sr. Mary Laura

TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

OCTOBER 13, 2024
In our first reading today from the Book of Wisdom we hear the words:“I prayed and prudence was given me; I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.”
Then Mark tells us: “As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Clearly this man is searching. Many things (sometimes conflicting things) are going on inside whenever any of us is searching. The good and best part is questioning – but there is also fear, perhaps self-interest, or some other things of which the person is not even aware.
If we ask what Spiritual wisdom is, it can be defined as the understanding and knowledge that comes from a deep connection to one's inner self and the divine. It is the ability to understand the interconnectedness of all things. Understanding this interconnectedness is not easy, yet it so central to answering the question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” This is why it is so important to pray for Wisdom, so that God is leading us on our journey.
I am reminded of this Cherokee tale:
Two Wolves

 One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
This is the central question, “Which wolf are we feeding?” It is a choice we make each day.
We ask God to fill each of us with the Spirit of Wisdom – not just to know in our hearts, but that we also have the courage to act upon the insights which the Spirit gives to us.May we have the courage to make the choices needed to feed the right wolf.
 -Sister Corinne Yarborough

TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

OCTOBER 13, 2024
Mark 10:17-30
Jesus doesn’t make it easy on people. The rich young man in today’s gospel certainly saw that. “Go, sell what you have…then, come follow me.” How much am I willing to “sell”… to give up…for that treasure in heaven? Do I have an idea what that might mean for me, and so, do I sadly place myself alongside the rich young man, both of us with fallen faces?
There is something in human nature that likes to cling, to cling especially to things or to being praised, appreciated, valued. It’s so easy to make of any of this our treasure. Another time Jesus pointed out an important truth: “Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” What do I center my heart on? Treasure can mean many different things to different people. But, no matter what it is. We can’t possess it. We have to live in a constant state of freedom of heart, of letting go, of selling what we have so that the Kingdom of God remains clearly fixed in our hearts and lives. In Mary Oliver’s poem “When Death Comes” we read these powerful and poignant lines at the end:
”When it’s over, I don’t want to wonderif I have made of my life something particular, and real.I don’t want to find myself sighing and frightened,or full of argument.
I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world.”
We’re here to do more than visit. We’re here to live our lives and prepare for “the” treasure.So, we take Jesus’ words to heart and seek to “sell” what we have, let go of it, not make possessions of any kind our “Kingdom of Heaven”. If we can do this, then there will be treasure in heaven waiting for us. We will see the Kingdom of God on the horizon and someone waiting there with outstretched arms.
 -Sr Patricia Brady

TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

SEPTEMBER 29, 2024
Mark: 9:38-43 45-47, 48
It was an extremely hot and humid summer day as I walked around the neighborhood of All Saints Parish for ‘door to door’ visits. An elderly man sitting on his porch noticed and called out. As I approached he questioned: ‘What are you doing?’ Following our conversation he asked me to wait while he went inside his home. Returning with a bottle of cold water he explained: ‘I usually give this to the mailman each day, but I think you need it now. I’ll give him something else’…..and Jesus said: ‘Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to me will surely not lose his reward.’
I think that in the first part of this gospel Jesus is warning his disciples and us not to box in his power. He reasons that a person liberating another in his name can’t also speak evil of him. He’s claiming broad middle ground with the saying: ‘whoever is not against us is for us’. Middle ground is where someone else’s experience can broaden and transform our own. We are challenged to look at attitudes that need changing in order to not exclude those who too seek entrance into his kingdom. Hospitality and compassion are the ways that God’s freeing and healing love are revealed.
The second part of the gospel emphasizes the fact that each day you and I are faced with choices to be for or against Christ. And there is a cost to discipleship: losing some things and cutting them out of our lives. Jesus uses the hyperbole: ‘cut it off’ to challenge us to get to the root of whatever causes us to sin.
Following Jesus then means taking on his single-minded focus (willing to pay the price for the sake of the kingdom) and an open-minded acceptance of all the good works and all the good people who are bringing this kingdom about.
 -Sister Ann Marie Grasso


TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

SEPTEMBER 22, 2024
Wisdom 2:12,17-20 James:16-4:3 Mark 9:30-37
“If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all” then Jesus taking a child, he placed it in their midst, putting his arms around it, and said “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me… A child at that time was the least honored member of society. Why did Jesus do this and what does it mean for us today?When I was a child we walked to school every day, and my Mom was the traffic guard at the corner of the school. My Mom treated every child who came to the corner to be crossed as though it was her own. If one was happy, she rejoiced with her or him. If one was sad, there was always a piece of candy in her pocket to give him or her. Sharing, rejoicing or giving counsel, I saw in my Mom to these little ones. Her life also extended to the adults in the neighborhood, where she looked out for the lonely, the sick or just someone who needed to talk about something over a cup of coffee. She was truly an example for me to follow Christ in my life. Perhaps Jesus is showing us in a way to be aware of the little people, the poor, homeless, deprived, the stranger, someone who needs us to listen, and as we do, we might have to let go of our desires at the moment, for “whoever receives one of these little ones in my name, receives me.” I like the letters of James as he is so practical. Listen: “Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and foul practice.” TRUE OR FALSE? But Wisdom from above is pure, gentle, peaceful…full of mercy and good fruits. Enough, James speaks of how we should live.In the Dominican Republic, in our town our Sisters had a school for 2,3,4 years, and I was the principal. One day I was watching the children play a circle game, and a Haitian boy and a Dominican little girl were not holding hands. I went over to ask why, and the Dominican girl told me that her father said that the Haitian people are only half human. Even though I did have a meeting with the father who thought it was true, the little girl left our school.Let us this week look how we welcome people into our lives as Jesus would. - Sr. Rose Ann

TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024
Mark 8:27-35 If you’ve ever wondered who people think you really are, meaning do they really know you, then you can certainly relate to the question Jesus asks in today’s gospel. “Who do people say that I am?” The disciples tell Jesus that people think he’s one of the prophets; in other words, someone else. But Jesus wants to push them to recognize the truth of who he really is. “But who do YOU say that I am?” Then comes the response which is at the heart of the mystery of who Jesus is: “You are the Christ.” You are the one. You are everything. You are the one we have waited for.
But what follows is not what the disciples are expecting to hear about Jesus. Suffering, dying, rising! What is Jesus talking about? He shouldn’t be saying these things and so Peter does what only Peter can do. He scolds him! And Jesus turns right around and scolds him back! How hard it can be to hear the truth about someone, especially if we think we know that someone. And yet, we can sympathize with Peter and how he was thinking. The Christ, the “one” was not supposed to suffer and die. But Peter forgot the Old Testament prophecy about the Suffering Servant. Jesus was that Suffering Servant.
What Jesus seems to be doing is revealing what is to be the path we must all take. No one is to be exempt from taking that path. Deny yourself (don’t let yourself get the better of your better self!), take up your cross (in other words, take up your life) and follow the Christ, the “one”. In the process we have to lose our lives. How do we lose our lives? For this is what Jesus tells us we must do. We let go of our lives. We let go of everything that would hold us back. We let go!
For me, a poem of the poet Apollinaire has at the heart of it a kernel of this gospel message: “Come to the edge”, they said. No, we can’t, we’re afraid. “Come to the edge”. No, we’re afraid. “Come to the edge!” We came to the edge. They pushed us. And we flew!
So, may we follow the Christ, with full and daring heart, right to the edge. And who knows? Maybe we’ll fly!
 -Sr Patricia Brady

TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024
Since this Sunday falls on the first day of September, we not only celebrate the 22nd Sunday of Ordinary time but also the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, inaugurated by Pope Francis in 2015. Although today’s scripture readings are specific for the 22nd Sunday, we can also glean some insights from those readings regarding our relationship with, and responsibility for, all that God has created. Every culture in the world has been awestruck by the marvels of creation, and all have tried to explain its origins. Creation myths abound. Ultimately, almost all cultures ascribe the work of creation to divine intervention of some sort. In the Judeo-Christian religion, we believe that God is the author of all life, the world and all that is in it. It is the obligation of humanity, the “firstfruits of creation,” to care for the natural world. Hints of what is expected of us can be found in today’s readings. In the first reading, Moses reminds the Israelites that observance of the laws and statutes that they have received from God, a God who is so close to them, will give evidence of their wisdom and intelligence. Do we use our wisdom and intelligence to help sustain the world around us? In the first letter of James, he says that every good gift is from God, and we are a “kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” Do we view ourselves as creatures among all the created, part of a universal whole in which all are mutually dependent – on one another and on God? In the gospel, Jesus condemns hypocrisy and seeks disciples whose hearts are formed by God’s commandments. Do we acknowledge in our hearts our obligation to care for creation, and actively find ways to contribute to the betterment of our environment? Are we, in the words of St James, “doers of the word and not hearers only”? We would do well to emulate those cultures (native Americans, for example) who so revere the created world that they feel a true bond with both creation and the Creator God. Even very busy people caught up with worldly concerns have managed to find a communion with nature that leads to a communion with the divine. This is what Pope Francis refers to as having an “incarnational faith.” The late Dag Hammarskjold was someone who seems to have achieved this. He once wrote: "In a dream I walked with God through the deep places of creation; past walls that receded and gates that opened, through hall after hall of silence, darkness and refreshment – the dwelling place of souls acquainted with light and warmth – until, around me, was an infinity into which we all flowed together and lived anew, like the rings made by raindrops falling upon wide expanses of calm dark waters." May we, too, seek to live a life “that becomes a song of love for God, for humanity, with and for creation, and that finds its fulness in holiness.” (Pope Francis) -Regina Murphy, SSMN

TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

AUGUST 25, 2024
Josh 24:1-2a, 15-17,18b Eph 5:21-32 Jn 6:60-69
Jn 6 shows us the disciples’ evolving understanding as they follow Jesus and discover who he is along the way. Their early curiosity gives way to admiration, and finally to awe. Who is this man, and what will it mean for them to follow him? Will it bring them esteem or danger if they are associated with him?
Even at this early stage, some are choosing to leave Jesus and the close association of his followers, because his words and the implications of his words are “too hard”. After some of his followers had walked away, Jesus even asks the Twelve: “Do you also want to leave?” He gives them (and us) a choice – he does not soften his words, but wants them to feel free to decide whether or not to fully embrace the Way he opens before them.
Peter’s response reveals the struggle going on in each of their hearts: “To whom [else] would we go? … We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” (Jn 6:68-69) Peter may not have fully comprehended the meaning of his words, but in his heart he seems to recognize that there is no alternative except to remain connected to Jesus. Somehow Jesus alone offers the sense of direction for their lives that they are seeking. In spite of the challenge that Jesus’ hard words present, Peter still senses that only Jesus can lead them to what they are yearning for… The question is not just “Who is this man Jesus and where is he leading me?” It’s really: “Who am I, and what will happen if I attach myself to Jesus?” Even more: “Who will I become if I don’t follow him, if I don’t resist the temptation to leave…? What will that choice mean for me?” Peter seems to sense that his life can turn on the answer to these questions.
And so can ours… Following Jesus with all that he stands for can mean embracing far more than we may have realized at the beginning. In a way, following Jesus is like a slippery slope. There is so much more than meets the eye in the simple truths he often utters. Even before they fully see where Jesus’ choices are taking him, they already sense that there could be problems – serious problems. Our first reading, Joshua advises the people: “Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve.” (Josh 24:15) Decide today – don’t delay any longer. It’s so true that any situation only gets more complicated the longer we put off deciding where we stand.
While none of us can foresee the future, we can often discern in broad strokes where embracing certain values will take us. We need to decide what we will stake our life on, what we are ready to sacrifice everything for… Jesus did, and he offered the Twelve a chance to do the same. What matters is that we recognize when the moment for making a decision has arrived. As Robert Frost has said so eloquently: “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” (The Road Not Taken)
-S. Patrice Yarborough

TWENTIETH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

AUGUST 18, 2024
This is the fourth week that we are presented with readings that invite us to be fed and nourished by the bounty and the generosity of our God. It is as if God cannot extend the invitation enough times to really touch our hearts. This week we are invited by Lady Wisdom to eat and to be nourished. In fact, we are warned that if we do not eat of the bread that is offered we will not continue to have fullness of life.
We are given the incredible opportunity to be nourished by the bread of God each day. We are, in fact, doubly blessed as we are nourished by both the bread and the word of God. When our spirits hunger for fullness of life, we are invited, not only to receive the gift of the Eucharist, but also to open the Scriptures and encounter the Word of God that touches both our minds and our hearts. Each day we are also invited to receive the Bread of God which comes down from heaven to nourish us in miraculous ways. Let us not fail this week to express our deep gratitude to our loving and graciously life –giving savior. -Sister Elizabeth Buchala

NINETEENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

AUGUST 11, 2024
We are in the midst of Gospel passages from what is known as the Bread of Life discourse in St. John’s Gospel. These chapters give us an early insight into both the gift and the mystery of Eucharist. Our segment this week highlights the crowd’s murmuring as a result of Jesus’ declaration that he is the bread come down from heaven. Murmuring is a trigger word for those who know the story of Moses in the desert. The Hebrew people, discontent due to hunger and thirst on their journey from slavery to freedom, began to murmur and grumble against God. God, through Moses, then provides for their needs in miraculous fashion. Manna each morning, quail each evening and water from a rock is provided to them for forty years! God’s angel summons Elijah to get up and eat in today’s first reading, in the Ephesians reading we are reminded not to grieve the Holy Spirit with which we’ve been sealed and Jesus assures us in the Gospel that he is the living bread come down from heaven for the life of the world. Throughout these readings we see an active, involved God. This is God who prompts us, instructs us and gifts selflessly with a nourishment of body and soul like no other.
-Sister Lori High [email protected]

EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

AUGUST 4, 2024
Exodus 16: 2-4; 12-15 Ps. 78: 3-4, 23-24, 25, 54 Eph 4: 17, 20-24 John 6: 24-35 Today the readings focus on Jesus, the Bread of Life. In the Exodus reading the people are grumbling. They were complaining to Moses and Aaron about being led into the desert to die of famine. Their hunger led them to remember their “fleshpots” in Egypt. They were looking back and longing for the luxurious living…The Lord heard their complaining and offered them the “Bread of Life. They still grumbled. Their eyes and hearts were closed. They wanted to know what kind of bread this was. The Lord was calling them to a deeper faith. This message is also in today’s Gospel. They came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. Jesus questioned them as to why they were looking for him. He told them to look for food that endures for eternal life. This is the work of God to believe in the one He sent. I offer for further pondering this message from the Theologian Diana Hayes. “Since the beginning of time there have been women and men who persevered in the midst of injustice grumbling, suffering and persecution.” Their song was “Give me Jesus” They were able to nurture their faith. They came looking for the bread that would sustain them. “We are called to receive Jesus the “Bread of Life”. We are fed so that we can do the works of the Lord. Our God will not abandon us as we spread the good news in the valleys, deserts, over the rivers and among the poor. It takes faith to believe that all who eat this bread will not be hungry or thirsty. Like those in the Gospel today, we walk forward with faith to receive Jesus, the Bread of Life. Let our living not be complaining, but declaring to all that our God is in our midst and what a blessed assurance. - Sister Roberta Fulton, SSMN https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=youtube+jesus+the+bread+of+life+grayon+brown&mid=633B44A52750AB63C6FB633B44A52750AB63C6FB&FORM=VIRE

SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

JULY 28, 2024
2 Kings 4:42-44 Ephesians 4:1-6 John 6:1-15 BREAD, BLESSED & BROKEN The first and third readings have the theme of sharing bread. Bread that we need to live, to grow, to be nourished. In 2 Kings, Elisha says to a man who has 20 barley loaves of bread, “Give it to the people to eat”. But the man says how can 100 people eat from 20 loaves of bread? They ate and there were leftovers. In the Gospel – Jesus also ask the disciples to give the 5 barley loaves and 2 fishes to the people and there were leftovers. God tells Moses that there will be manna in the morning for the people to eat. Theses 3 events are a symbol of the Eucharist, Christ giving his life for us that we may live and have life. Bread, blessed & broken for all humanity- as St. Paul says in his letter to the Ephesians –we are one body, one Lord, one faith, one baptism. We are all united in the Eucharist which gives us life, unity and a bond of peace. Pope Francis says; “It would be good to ask ourselves every day. What do I bring to Jesus today?” He can do a lot with one of our prayers, with a gesture of charity for others. This is how God loves to act: He does great things starting from those small things.”One of my favorite songs is: Bread for the World- The Refrain: "Bread for the World: a world of hunger. Wine for all peoples: people who thirst. May we who eat be bread for others. May we who drink pour out our love."
 - Sr. Rose Ann

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

JULY 21, 2024
Gospel: Mk: 6: 30-34 What first catches my attention in this gospel passage is the excitement of the apostles returning to tell Jesus ‘what they had done and accomplished’. It reminds me of those teams of parishioners working in a neighborhood that I mentioned in my last reflection. Miracles weren’t performed, but good was definitely accomplished by our caring presence. Jesus always blesses whatever we do in his name. And those blessings are mutual between the visitors and the visited.
In this particular text we also see Jesus inviting his disciples to take time to rest and pray. Balancing care for ourselves and others is certainly a challenge especially in today’s world. Most likely we all struggle with this one. However Jesus does give us good examples by his own life. In the reading of any gospel we often see that he takes time to go apart to pray, especially before important decisions. This is important for us too and for the day to day living, I find it most helpful to simply ask the Lord to help me make good choices as that day unfolds.
 Further on in this gospel the compassion Jesus shows for his disciples gets transferred to the crowd when ‘moved with pity’ he takes time to teach them. It’s the teaching that will lead them to salvation. They’re looking for miracles, but he teaches them that which will last longer…how to find God. Jesus is here for us too. As shepherd and teacher he is present in our daily situations, always here to guide us to new ways of thinking and living. And to bring us to this, he never rests.
-Sister Ann Marie Grasso

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

JULY 14, 2024
Mark 6:7-13
What we witness in today’s Gospel is the beginning of the spreading of the message of Jesus. Many things happened in Mark’s Gospel before this moment: the Father calls Jesus his “beloved Son” when he is baptized by John the Baptist, Jesus works miracles, he calls men to be his disciples and now comes a pivotal moment. Jesus shares the responsibility of his mission with disciples in whom he has faith and trust. He makes them companions on the journey, going forth two by two, and trusting totally in the goodness and kindness of those whom the disciples would encounter on the way. You can almost imagine the reaction of the disciples when told not to take anything with them but a walking stick and sandals! The mission calls upon those receiving the disciples to be generous and unselfish but this is not always the case, much as we might wish it to be. This reminds me of a thought-provoking series I saw some years ago called “The Kindness Diaries”. It was a documentary about a man of means who decided that he would travel from Alaska to the tip of Argentina in a small car and take with him no money or credit cards. He wanted to see how much he might be able to count on the kindness of strangers to help him out, provide lodging, fill the tank of his car with gas and befriend him. A videographer traveled with him but far enough away so as to not be seen with him and under no circumstances could he help him out in any way, not even when his car broke down or temperatures were freezing and there was no heat in the car. The man, Leon, met many kind and generous people as he traveled, and some who simply brushed him off and didn’t believe him. Many people would share their stories with Leon, stories that often revealed how good and caring they were to others. Every so often, Leon would then tell them how he was going to provide financial help for a ministry of service in which they were involved. The reaction to this news was very moving. Leon met many wonderful people on his travels. I find a lot of similarities between Leon and what Jesus is asking the disciples to do. What he’s also asking us to do. We are asked to “be” for others, sometimes with very little, sometimes experiencing little gratitude, kindness or understanding. But we are called. So, we go forward wherever we are called, with our proverbial sandals and walking stick, putting our trust and hope in the God who will always journey with us and show us the way. -Sr Patricia Brady

FOURTEENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

JULY 7, 2024

Hardness of heart can have some very bad consequences. Those whose hearts have become hardened are usually closed-minded, afraid to take risks, suspicious or untrusting of others. They are usually not open to new ideas or new ways of doing things. They resist change and tend to cling to the status quo even if it ultimately might be harmful to them. They are not a receptive audience for prophets! In the scriptures that we read today Ezekiel is sent by God to preach to the Israelites, a people “hard of face and obstinate of heart.” St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians about a physical problem he was suffering while also enduring “insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints.” And Jesus, in his home town, found that his neighbors “took offense at him”, and Jesus “was amazed at their lack of faith.” Often, these readings are used to encourage people to spread the good news of the gospel and to continue their good work despite any hardships that they endure. They should strive to be like St. Paul: content with weakness and persecution for the sake of Christ who is our strength and consolation. A worthy message. But this weekend, let’s not put ourselves in the place of the prophet who is being encouraged to remain faithful, but rather as the hard-hearted listener being addressed by the prophet. How often do we recognize the prophets among us, much less heed their words? The people in Jesus’ home town certainly did not recognize Jesus as a prophet. They knew him and his whole family. (We can imagine them saying, “Who does he think he is?”) How often do we say the same thing about the “prophets” among us? Contemporary prophets do not always have a specifically religious message, but they may warn about evils in society, or promote those things that could bring health, peace, or harmony to humankind. I think of people like Oscar Romero, Desmond Tutu, Pope John XXIII, Ralph Nader, and Dr. Anthony Fauci. Even though they had a national or international impact, many people still resisted their teachings, and treated them poorly. Many ordinary people are also prophets. Sometimes we may encounter a prophet in our own family, or among our friends, someone who speaks words of wisdom to us, or simply words of truth. Do we pay any attention? As we age or become infirm, is our heart open to suggestions from people who advise us about our own future? Today let us reflect on our own openness, our own listening skills. Are we able to accept new ideas, walk a new path? Or, are we among the “obstinate of heart”? When we hear a prophetic voice, do we fear moving out of our comfort zone? Do we have an open mind and an open heart? Let us try to find God’s voice speaking through another. And, let us treat the “prophets” with kindness, even if we choose to reject their advice.
-Regina Murphy, SSMN

THIRTEENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

JUNE 30, 2024
Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24 II Cor. 8:7,9, 13-15 Mark 5:21-43 I am not sure how the episodes of “The Chosen” portray the events of this Sunday’s Gospel, but I am sure that we are hard put to dramatize all the emotions and deep faith that are portrayed in this Sunday’s Gospel text, a drama in four acts. The casting for the roles is simple and the dialogue is focused: Part 1, a synagogue official, Jairus by name, comes forward to ask Jesus to heal his daughter who is physically dying. A crowd follows. What did Jairus believe about Jesus or was his coming to Jesus a “last ditch” effort to try anything for his daughter’s healing? What was so precious to him about his daughter’s life that he would publicly humiliate himself in asking for Jesus’ healing touch? To what lengths are we willing to go, despite the naysayers around us, so that someone maybe even ourselves, may be healed and live? Part 2, a hemorrhaging woman, who for 12 years had gone from doctor to doctor for healing. Imagine the indignity of that experience. Just hearing about Jesus inspires her. She only needs to touch his cloak! And Jesus feels the power go out from him. Aware that someone in the crowd had touched him, Jesus asks the disciples for the help they cannot give. But the courageous woman approaches him in fear and trembling or would we say “amazement and awe”? What do the words “she told him the whole truth” invite us to for our personal and even communal healing? Jesus acknowledges her deep faith and missions her on to live the journey of her life in peace. Part 3, the arrival of “people from the synagogue official’s house” who have come to gloat or to talk Jairus and Jesus out of letting God be at work in the girl’s life. Is it that they could not imagine that God could work wonders in this situation? Was it better give up than to hope? Had they forgotten all that the “God of their ancestors” had done in the past? Part 4, Jesus and the “Three” along with the father and mother came into the room where a sort of transfiguration was to take place. Now it is Jesus’ voice, in the Aramaic words given by Peter to Mark, who reveals the loving will of God for this girl’s life—and for ours: “Arise.” Imagine the mixed emotions when, in their astonishment, they hear Jesus give “strict orders” not to share what he had done, and then, hear him invite them to give her something to eat! What a strong testimony this passage is to God-through-Jesus inviting us to ask for life, to take actions for life, to celebrate Jesus’ triumph over death in all the many events in our lives and in our world. Do we have the courage of Jairus and the hemorrhaging woman to reach out in faith? Do we believe that even in the unplanned but urgent situations in our lives, that God’s healing, transforming Spirit can be at work, “if we let go and let God”? -Sr. Mary Laura Lesniak Namur, Belgium

TWELFTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

JUNE 23, 2024
Job 38: 1, 8-11 2 Cor 5: 14-17 Mark 4: 35-41
Faith often eludes us. Sometimes it’s hard for us to believe, even when we know something is true. God moves his hand over the waters, or over the sores of a leper – and a miracle happens. God has just re-written a story of despair, and brought love and hope into a dark world.
Job experienced this first-hand, and so did the disciples of Jesus. While Jesus slept, their situation grew more and more dire. And so they panicked. Not only that, they even accused Jesus of not caring about what was happening to them! We have probably all felt like that at times. Life experiences can crowd in on us, and make us feel like everything is out of control. This frightens us, and even when we look to God for help, he can seem silent, or asleep. And so we panic…
Yet, in an instant, everything can change. God can move his hand over our heart, and healing can happen which allows us to begin to trust again. We recognize that God is not distant but very near, and that his love surrounds and protects us. Then peace returns. To be honest, we probably deserve to be reprimanded like the apostles: “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” God knows our human frailty, and he doesn’t blame us. Rather, God invites us to a deeper level of faith. He wants us to know without a doubt that his love will never abandon us, and his protection will never fail us. There is never a valid reason to fear. Jesus is in the boat with us, and nothing can ever make him get out and leave us. We are safe – we have his promise.

 -Sr. Patrice Yarborough


ELEVENTHTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

JUNE 16, 2024
Last month I bought a small green plant at a high school plant sale. I’m not sure why I bought it, except for the fact that it was only $3.00, and I was at a fund raiser. I’ve tried keeping plants in my room before, but they’ve always withered and died. I don’t get much sun in my room, or perhaps I don’t care for plants adequately. For some reason, this plant has done surprisingly well. . . dark green sturdy leaves reach for the little sunlight that comes into my room very early in the morning. There is no sign of wilting or dying. And today a beautiful pink blossom appeared. It made my day. You might wonder why I am telling you this. . . I just opened my scriptures to read the given passages for this weekend’s liturgy, and I was amazed at what they told us. The passages are, of course, another gift from a generous God. In the first reading the prophet Ezekiel tells us that God “lifts high the lowly tree” and “makes the withered tree bloom.” The Psalm response encourages us by telling us that the palm tree will bear fruit even in its old age. And finally Mark’s Gospel assures us that the smallest seed of all becomes a large plant and the birds of the sky come and dwell in its shade. It would be difficult to find more positive passages even in a well-written book of encouraging phrases. Our God, who provides us with all we need, provides us today with readings that can give us courage and hope. Our spirits can thrive on the gracious words that we are given. As we age, it becomes harder to imagine ourselves being the sturdy green tree that provides others with shade. We may even question whether we still bear fruit. The temptation is to see ourselves in danger of withering. This week’s readings are words of hope for people of all ages and all ministries. 
Let us rejoice this week in the beauty that surrounds us and in the life that God so generously gives us. -Sister Elizabeth Buchala



TENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

JUNE 9, 2024
Mark 3 :20-35 After much traveling around, how good it must have been for Jesus to arrive home. But the crowds follow him and the gospel tells us that Jesus and those who were with him couldn’t even sit down to eat! An interesting detail from Mark! Once again, Jesus is besieged by the crowds who have heard about his preaching and his healings, and his relatives think he is crazy to let himself be treated like this. Their reaction does seem a little crazy, too. Their relative seems to them to be possessed! But he’s not possessed by the prince of devils; he’s possessed by the Holy Spirit. Remember earlier in the gospel account when Jesus was baptized in the Jordan by John and the Spirit descended upon him, and he heard the voice of the Father saying: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” There was nothing of the prince of demons here!
Jesus makes a good point by saying that evil cannot cast out evil, only good can do that. If he were filled with an evil spirit why would that spirit want to cast itself out? Only one who is filled with the Holy Spirit can cast out an evil spirit. If we look at our world today, we can see the power of evil everywhere. What does it take to stop it, to eliminate it? The only way to do it is to see the power and the presence of God in good and caring people continuing to spread goodness and love throughout the world. Only love can overpower evil and wipe it out.
Jesus doesn’t give in to the criticism leveled at him and tell the crowds to go away. Even when his mother and family arrive and ask for him he continues and speaks words that could appear harsh but only really express the extent of his love. His mother and family, whom he loves, are now also everyone who enters into the Word of God and live it. The words leap off the page of the gospel and reach all of us who hear the Word and are invited to follow the voice of God in our lives. How do we do that?
Who becomes the mother and family of Jesus? All who work for justice, all who oppose war and cruelty and hatred and racism and revenge. All who offer “food” to anyone who hungers in any way. All who care for creation. All who see the other, not as “other” but as family. Does this make us “out of our minds” because we listen to others and don’t want to send them away? Would Jesus say “ yes” or call us mother and family? -Sister Patricia Brady

NINTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

JUNE 2, 2024 THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST
Sister Nancy Charlesworth shares a passage from her favorite theologian, Fr. Xavier Durrwell, CSSR, published in English 1960 from the his book, "Resurrection:"

EIGHTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

MAY 26, 2024 THE MOST HOLY TRINITY
John 10: 11-18
One of my fondest memories of working at Holy Angels Parish was the zeal of the Hispanic Community who took the command of Jesus to ‘go forth’ to heart. Each and every summer I was asked: ‘when’ not ‘if’ we would be organizing ourselves for the door to door visits in the neighborhood. Their enthusiasm was contagious! Today on this beautiful feast of the Holy Trinity, Jesus, once again invites us to reach out. But who are ‘the nations’ to whom we are sent? For those of us not graced with a missionary vocation we are sent to our friends, families, anyone who is part of our lives. These are the ‘close at hand nations’ we gather into the loving embrace of the Trinity.
 And there are many ways that we carry on the saving work of the Trinity. There may be a time when we need to bring the creativity of the Father into a situation that seems hopeless; or the forgiveness of Jesus to a friend who is overwhelmed with guilt. Perhaps there is an important decision to be made and we are asked to share the Wisdom of the Spirit. In all these ways and more the God who is love goes forth to all nations.
We are able to accept the great commission because we have been baptized in the name of the Trinity. And receiving God’s very life, we have become one with God’s ‘going forthness’. A challenging mission? Yes! Possible? Absolutely! Because we have Jesus’ promise: ‘I am with you always.’

 -Sister Ann Marie Grasso



SEVENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

MAY 19, 2024 PENTECOST
Acts 2: 1-11 1Corinthians 12: 3b-7, 12-13 Gospel: John 15: 26-27, 16: 12-15 The Gospel message today is about Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is poured out. Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you.” “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Like the disciples who pondered what Jesus was saying, we stand in the midst of this mystery and speak in different tongues. Pentecost is the feast of amazement, confusion and amazing grace. Today we celebrate this magnificent feast of Pentecost. Images that come to mind are strong winds, tongues of fire and people from every nation. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak peace to one another in their own language. As the African American hymn says, “What a Mighty God we Serve”. “Spirit of the living God Fall Afresh On Us”. This feast of Pentecost, the fifty days of Easter is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Let us stand with a renewed hope, love and peace. The day of Pentecost is a great celebration. We come together again to hear the story of the birth of the Church. Around the world, there are violent winds, fires and people speaking in different languages. We are asking is the Spirit moving us toward peace and justice? Where is the wind and fire today? Do we have that excitement of that first Pentecost? Why not? The Holy Spirit is here right now. The Holy Spirit gives us a variety of gifts. We are called, blessed and sent. Take the word of God and the Holy Spirit with you as you go to spread the Gospel. Listen to “Every Time I Feel the Spirit” in the link below. Perhaps it will spark a new flame! People are waiting to hear Gospel news from each one of us. -Sister Roberta Fulton, SSMN https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=youtube+everytime+I+feel+the+spirit&mid=E960064221665ABF875BE960064221665ABF875B&FORM=VIRE

SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

MAY 12, 2024
REFLECTION ON◦ Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
◦ Acts1:1-11 Eph. 1:17-23 Mark 16:15-20


 Today, (or this past Thursday, depending on your location) we celebrate, the Ascension of the Lord, the last day that Christ was on the earth. However His involvement in the lives of the people goes on through the Holy Spirit.

 In the first reading in Acts, St. Luke describes Jesus last days on earth as the Risen Christ, teaching and preparing the apostles for His departure. Jesus promises His Holy Spirit that will be with us until the end of time.

 The second reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, continues the idea of Jesus ascending into heaven by stating Jesus’s spiritual accomplishments and giving Him glory that Jesus deserves by fulfilling His mission of salvation for all.
We can partake in these honors and glory if we remain in Christ and fulfill our mission on earth.

 The gospel speaks of Jesus’s farewell instructions to His disciples. These are instructions transferred to us in our commitment and our mission, for we are the disciples of today.
As Pentecost draws near, let us pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit in a special way this week. Remember if Jesus does go back to the Father, the Holy Spirit does come in a powerful way.

 Today is Mother’s Day and so we ask that all Mothers have a wonderful day and that the Lord give each one a special blessing. 
 -Sr. Rose Ann

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

MAY 5, 2024
There is no question about the theme of today’s readings, they are all about love. This is, of course, the most essential message of the Christian faith – the greatest commandment, the mandate of Christ, the expected reciprocity to a God who has shown us such great love. That being the case, it is amazing that we seem to do such a poor job of loving, especially loving in the way intended by Christ. Christ’s teaching is to love one another as he has loved us. We cannot love others simply because it gives us joy and comfort, or because it is something warm and supportive. To love as Christ loves us is a demanding and altruistic love that must be centered on others.
Last December, following the death of Sandra Day O’Connor, there was an article in the NY Times that focused on some lesser known aspects of her life, one of which was in reference to her love for her husband. She retired from the Supreme Court after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and she wanted personally to care for him. When caring for him at home was no longer feasible, he was transferred to an assisted living facility where Sandra visited him daily even when he no longer recognized her. Before long, he found romance with another woman who lived there. O’Connor continued her visits and rejoiced that her husband had once again found love. To love another even when it costs us dearly is to love as Christ has loved us. Mark Twain once said that “if you want love and abundance in your life, give it away.” That is true Christian love.
 One particular phrase in today’s gospel that we might focus on is Christ’s request that we remain in his love. God’s love is not ephemeral, it is not changing, it is constant and it is demanding. Christ is asking that we immerse ourselves in his love and stay the course. Do not turn back when love makes demands on us, do not run ahead searching for something easier or more personally gratifying. Remain immersed in God’s love, and allow that love to transform you.
-Regina Murphy, SSMN

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

APRIL 28, 2024
Acts 9:26-31 1 John3:18-24 John 15: 1-8
Today’s readings focus us on the followers of Jesus, and God’s desire that they be fruitful. We begin in Acts with Paul, who even following his miraculous conversion remains suspect to most early Christians. They need proof of Paul’s sincerity, and they need the witness of someone as trusted as Barnabas who would put his reputation on the line as he vouched for Paul. It’s not easy to move past Paul’s actions, and building trust takes time. Paul kept his eyes and his ministry focused on Jesus, and not on what others thought of him. Eventually those with open hearts and minds were able to see that God could use even him – because God’s vision of the man he had called him to be never wavered. Yet, it was a process… Today’s reading from 1 John reminds us, that “even when our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts…” Even when our hearts condemn us, only God’s Truth matters…
Jesus said that when a vine needs pruning, only the Vinedresser can prune it, with his expert eye and skilled hands. God looks on in love, and sadly recognizes the earliest signs that our hearts are not totally grounded in him. God gently gives us signs that all is not well, but it is easy to ignore them, and to allow weeds to slowly infiltrate the garden he has been cultivating. It is a sign of God’s unwavering love for us and confidence in us that he continues to lead us to the truth that will set us free. Pruning can be a painful experience, but without it, no growth can happen, no fruit can endure.
Our Lenten journey should have opened our eyes to our own need for pruning, and helped us to recognize the love with which God directs that process. As we continue to celebrate Easter, like Paul, may each of us blossom into the gift for the Church that we are meant to be. God’s desire is always and only resurrection: LIFE erupting in unexpected ways.

-S. Patrice Yarborough


FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

APRIL 21, 2024
St. John 10: 11-18
How many ‘good shepherds’ have you met in your lifetime? Perhaps it was your eighth grade teacher who took extra time to help you and other classmates prepare for those dreaded ‘Regents Exams’. Maybe it was the local grocery store owner who accepted an I.O.U. from your family whenever needed. Or was it that group of youth who helped you change a tire when you were stranded off an expressway?
I imagine your list is as endless as mine for there are countless shepherds trying their best day in and day out to imitate the Shepherd who gave all…Jesus. The cross summarizes his whole life for others. And it’s the symbol drawing us to the same way of living. The cross and shepherding can’t be separated.
The challenge of the gospel is that Jesus, Our Good Shepherd, doesn’t save us from the hard work of the gospel call. Even in this Easter joy, we are reminded that discipleship has two faces: dying to self and rising to new life in Christ.
How do I lay down my life? Some questions I often ask myself are: Am I paying attention to the opportunities in any given day? Do I truly listen to another’s opinion or insist on mine? Do my words lift people up or tear them down? Am I sowing seeds of unity or division?
In the world in which we presently live often the focus is on all the bad shepherds creating darkness. But I like to think about all those good ones scattered throughout the world working for the One who brings Light. This keeps my faith and hope alive.
 -Sister Ann Marie Grasso





THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

APRIL 14, 2024
Acts 3:13-15, 17-19 Psalm 4: 2, 4, 7-8, 9 I John 2:1-5a Luke 24:35-48 “The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way, and how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.” These disciples, known for their travel to and from Emmaus, witnessed the Risen Jesus in word and in the breaking of the bread. They shared their experience with the Eleven and their friends who were gathered together. And then the Risen One appears in their midst and wishes them peace. The group reaction is to be startled and terrified! Until each of us experiences and accepts the forgiving presence of the Risen Christ in our lives, there will only be questions, doubt and fear. Which is not to say that even after having an experience of God’s healing love in Jesus, that we will not hesitate and question the presence of God again and again. In the excerpt from the Acts of the Apostles, Peter excuses his listeners who “acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did, in putting to death the author of life. BUT (emphasis mine) God has brought to fulfillment what he had announced beforehand.” The Christ, the Anointed One, who suffered and died, is present in our lives and in our world when we repent, that is, when we acknowledge our unwillingness to believe God’s love, when we acknowledge our failure to recognize and to realize God’s healing presence in Jesus today and every day. When, by the grace of God, we believe and accept the other as gift from God. In the Act of Listening, in the Choice to Ask for Forgiveness and to Forgive, in the Breaking of the Bread, in Meeting the Christ in Need, we are strengthened and made whole time after time. This is the message we try to believe and to share with one another and with the anxious, suffering, poor, besieged and lonely people of our lives and of our world. We are the living messengers of God’s presence and peace: Tell the world He is Alive! -Sr. Mary Laura Lesniak

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER

APRIL 7, 2024 DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
John 20:19-31
“Peace, I leave with you my friends, peace the world cannot give.” There is no question that “peace” and “the world” are not synonymous today. One of the greatest hungers of people today is for peace and it seems to be further and further away from happening. How many human hearts long for peace and ours probably do, too. Peace of heart is a great gift and one for which we need to pray for ourselves and for all of humanity. This is the great gift that Jesus, the Resurrected Jesus, wishes for his disciples as he appears to them again and once again. “Peace be with you.” “Peace be with you.” “Peace be with you.” 3x we hear these words in today’s gospel. The message is urgent and clear. Jesus knows that so much fear and turmoil were inhabiting the hearts of his disciples. How could anyone have even tried to explain what had taken place the past few days? As I’m rereading this Gospel I think of people who were told, or who believed, that someone they loved was dead. The grief and the sorrow that invade the heart at those words are painful to imagine. And then, if they discover that this was not the case, but that the loved one is alive, the joy they feel is unimaginable. Images of people in Gaza and in other countries where tragedy has occurred come to my mind. People being found under mountains of rubble after days of searching. We’ve seen this on TV. We can feel the joy of the disciples coming through the pages of this Gospel. But Thomas doesn’t want to believe his friends. He wants proof! How often do we ask for proof! But it’s so hard to believe something without it. We doubt someone’s word because we didn’t hear it ourselves. We doubt a story is true because we haven’t experienced it. We doubt…we doubt…we doubt. Show me! Let me see! How can I be sure! How much we need to pray for the gift of faith..faith in God, faith in others, faith in ourselves. We are promised this: we are blessed if we believe without seeing. -Sr. Patricia Brady

EASTER SUNDAY

MARCH 31, 2024
John 20:1-9
In the Gospel for today’s feast, Mary Magdalene and the 2 disciples go to the tomb. They are all looking for Jesus. Easter is about life – Jesus is alive, He has risen. They knew he had died; but now, just as deeply and miraculously, they know he is alive.
One writer says, “Easter is an exercise in ‘yes,’ this slip-side from winter to spring, from dark to light, from Lent to Resurrection. Yes to today; yes to tomorrow; yes to life again. We all come out of the tomb of winter new and bright with promise. It is ‘yes’ to our life now, however old, however jaded we may be. It is the rediscovery of possibility again.” -author unknown
This writing us so filled with hope and energy. It is all about life. May we absorb all of it into ourselves.
Thinking of the mystery of Easter, the great St. John Chrysostom wrote an Easter sermon which expresses so much. Here are some excerpts:
“Whoever you are, come. Celebrate this shining happening, this festival of light.You, the devout, God’s unshakeable lover.Come, walk into the joy of your Lord…”
St. John Chrysostom is calling everyone to come – EVERYONE! Come and celebrate, come experience the joy which will pour in and give you the new life you need so desperately.
He later continues: “Whether you were a success or whether you only tried, he will greet you, make much of your effort, extol your intention.Let everybody, therefore, crowd into the exhilaration of our Savior.You the first and you the last: equally heaped with blessings.You the rich and you the poor: celebrate together.You the careful and you the careless: enjoy this day of days.
You that have kept the fast, and you that have broken it: be happy together.The table is loaded. Feast on it like princes….No one need think he is poor, for the universal empire is emblazoned, wide open for all….”
 New translation by Paul Roche America, April 5, 1980

Let us experience together the holiness and joy of this day, which is totally beyond anything we can fathom.
Song: Holy Ground - Monica Brown
You are here, so this is holy ground.In all that is, You are here.This is holy ground, the ground of my being now.My spirit bows to You upon this holy ground.
 -Sister Corinne Yarborough

SIXTH SUNDAY OF LENT

MARCH 24, 2024 PALM SUNDAY
Mk 11:1-10 Is 50:4-7 Phil 2:6-11 Mk 14:1 – 15:47
The four scripture passages for today’s liturgy are so rich that each one deserves a long reflection. I will however focus on the 2 Gospel accounts. In the first we see a crowd of people full of joy and expectation. Yes, they want a king, but their kind of king: one who will come in glory, with power. They seem to be saying: “Come and reign over us – but do it our way…” When it becomes obvious that Jesus will not acquiesce, they want no part of him, and even prefer Barabbas. Jesus did come to be king, but he defined kingship a new way: in lowliness and self-sacrifice; in a readiness to suffer for those who are lost in order to draw them back to God. He preferred to come in meekness and not in a show of strength. Why this “way”? Because it’s God’s Way… It’s always God’s Way.
Mark’s Passion account shows us Jesus’ Way. He was not deterred by the Hosannas of the boisterous crowd, nor by the pain and suffering of his ultimate rejection. He had come to Jerusalem with a mission, and it mattered little to him whether others approved of it or not. Jesus never changed direction just to gain approval or to make things easier for himself. Nor did he waver as his closest friends refused to stand with him and ran for their lives.
We watch as Jesus is stripped of everything: not only of his garments, but of every form of human support. He is stripped even of the consoling sense of his Father’s presence – and yet he presses on… Jesus hung there, suspended between heaven and earth, rejected by those he was sent to save, abandoned by all. Even creation seemed to understand the horror of the drama being played out. Finally, Jesus breathed his last and his body hung there, lifeless. Ironically, it was a pagan centurion who proclaimed in faith: “This man was truly the Son of God!” After the Sabbath, some of the women would attempt to anoint his body – but no one could have predicted how the Father of Jesus would respond to this self-offering of his beloved, obedient Son.
Today we begin the holiest week of the year. Our gospel ends with the death of Jesus, his removal from the cross and his burial. (Reflection on the resurrection is deferred until next Sunday.) We are asked to simply stand at the foot of the Cross and before the tomb, to contemplate the inexhaustible depths of this mystery. The liturgy stops the account here, at the edge of the abyss… There are no words for this moment. St. Paul proclaimed: “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Cor 15:55) God is victorious here, in spite of appearances.
Today, let us each take our place at the foot of the Cross, caught up in the realization of God’s unwavering, limitless love for us. May we ask that the blood and water which flowed from Jesus’ pierced side would flow over each of us and wash us, until only purified hearts remain: hearts on fire with Love; hearts ready to stoop low and sacrifice everything so that others may live.
Amen. Amen. Amen.

-Sr. Patrice Yarborough

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

MARCH 17, 2024
Jeremiah 31:31-34 Psalm 50 Hebrews 5:7-9 John 12:20-33
Today we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and the fifth Sunday of Lent.We know that St. Patrick had a very hard life and suffered much being a slave in Ireland but then returned as a Bishop and truly taught the people about Jesus. We all remember about the shamrock and the Blessed Trinity. In the prophet Jeremiah, we see the climax of the Old Testament. The covenant with the Lord is renewed. A covenant written on our hearts.A covenant which is very individual as at the last supper Jesus says, this is “the covenant in my blood for the forgiveness of sin”. The bond is between God and the individual.The psalm 50 goes along with this idea of forgiveness as we say, “Create a clean heart in me O Lord”.
Paul, in the letter to the Hebrews states that Jesus raised up prayers and supplications to his Father as we should follow his example. Jesus was obedient until death to do the Father’s will. We all have had the experience in our lives as we move for one place to another or one ministry to other. Many times we have suffered for one reason or another, health or misunderstanding, etc. We know that as the Father heard his Son so God hears us.
I think that the Gospel speaks for itself. John goes along with this idea of suffering with the parable of the “grain of wheat that must die in order to bear fruit, whoever losses his life…, whoever serves me must follow me… Jesus prays, I am troubled now…but it was for this purpose that I came to this hour”.
Let us prayer this week as we approach Palm Sunday to be truly united with Jesus in his suffering, dying and Resurrection. - Sr. Rose Ann

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

MARCH 10, 2024
If you reflect of the events of our present day and conclude that the world is “going to hell in a handbasket”, you will learn from today’s readings that the apparent demise of spirituality and civility is nothing new. The Book of Chronicles speaks of the ancient Israelites as “adding infidelity to infidelity” and “mocking the messengers of God”. God punished the people – for a time, until a God-fearing King of Persia was inspired by God to foster righteousness and worship. The second reading from Ephesians speaks of God’s mercy, and how we have been saved by grace through Jesus Christ. John explains this further in the gospel: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him . . . may have eternal life.” Today’s readings are all about grace, something that we often speak about even if we find it difficult to define. Biblical scholars speak of grace as a reciprocal relationship between God and his chosen people. God’s limitless love and mercy, his graciousness and acts of favor, establish a relationship of mutual obligation. It was expected that the Israelites who remained faithful to God would express their gratitude and faithfulness through goodness and kindness to others. Generosity and justice in human relationships were obligations imposed on them by God as a fitting response to God’s faithful love and compassion. The greatest salvific act of God was to send his only Son to reconcile the world to himself. In response, those who believe in Christ are now to return grace for grace by bearing witness to God in a hostile world, and by assisting one another through love and service. The reciprocal nature of grace is a religious belief held by many Christians as well as some non-Christians. There is a Native American tribe, the Yurok Indians, who have only one Yurok law: to be true to oneself. For a Yurok, that means to honor the Almighty by giving their best to help a person in need. During Lent let us find ways to return grace for grace through acts of kindness, by responding to the needs of others, and by being a voice for truth and justice. May you walk with grace and may the light of the Universe shine upon your path. - Yurok Blessing -Regina Murphy, SSMN

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

MARCH 3, 2024
Exodus 17:3-7, Romans 5:1-2, 5-8, John 4:5-42 I must admit that I reflected quite a while on the readings of the commandments and the angry Jesus before I decided that I had no ideas worth sharing on the passages. I turned instead to the alternate readings for the third Sunday for Lent, hoping you find them as meaningful as I did. The first and the third readings today are about water and the human need for it, but the stories surrounding this need are quite meaningful. In the book of Exodus the Hebrews have been wandering through the desert for some time and they have grown quite thirsty, but there is no water nearby to refresh them. Since Moses led them to this dry area, it was very easy to blame him for their thirst. After all, he was supposedly being led by God who was their provider and their security. It’s very easy, when we believe we are following God’s path, to expect life to be free from hardships. But that is not always the case, as most of us have learned in one way or another. We all follow the Hebrews in that regard. The Gospel of John picks up on the theme of thirst, and it is Jesus Himself who is thirsty, revealing His humanity. It is noontime, the hottest part of the day, and the disciples have gone to buy food. Jesus’ thirst does not remain His focal point for long. A woman comes along to draw water from the well and Jesus’ attention focuses on her. Although He asks her for a drink of water, he is really beginning a relationship. Women do not normally draw water at noon, it is much too hot; water is drawn at daybreak. She is avoiding the rest of the women who hold her in contempt because of her lifestyle. Jesus does not disregard her because of her many husbands and she doesn’t disregard Him because He is Jewish. Their conversation leads her to recognize him as a prophet who knows all her faults and does not hold her in contempt. She, in fact, reaches out to all the neighbors who had judged her lifestyle, so that they too can become followers of Jesus. They listen to her and become believers. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our thirst always led to the spread of the Good News.
 -Sister Elizabeth Buchala



SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

FEBRUARY 25, 2024
“Here I am! he replied.” Then God said: “Take your son Isaac, your only one whom you love…” As we begin this season of Lent, the Liturgical Calendar brings us back once again to the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection. We are reminded that God is the creator, sustainer and sanctifier of all human life. In the first reading from Genesis, Abraham’s trust and faithfulness to God is tested in the call he hears from God to offer up his only son, Isaac, as a holocaust. After Abraham shows his willingness to obey, God gives Isaac back to him. Anyone who enters in a relationship with God is called to love the Lord his/her God with their whole heart, mind, soul and will and to love their neighbor as themselves. We, like Abraham, are called throughout our lives to grow up into the dimensions of the love and trust of Christ himself. Does this act of putting God first and surrendering whatever it is that God asks of us; is this a reality in our lives? Of ourselves it is not possible but with God all things are possible.
In the second reading from Romans, we are reminded that since our God did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, God will also grant us everything that we need in Christ Jesus. “God made us, God loves us, God keeps us.” Julian of Norwich.
 The passage from the Gospel of Mark reminds us that Jesus was transfigured in the very life of God the Father through his journey of obedient Sonship. We too are called to surrender our lives to the ongoing invitation to conversion and transfiguration experienced in our obedient response to discipleship.
Obedience is a choice. It is also an act of trust and love for the God who created us, sustains us and fulfills us in His life and love. Just as Christ illumined the path of Peter, James and Johnthrough His transfiguration, we also are called to do the same for those around us. How this happens for each one of us is unique, but the summons to love with our whole heart, mind, soul and will remains the root and nourishment of that call.
 “In the practice of our days, to listen is to lean in, softly, with a willingness to be changed by what we hear.” Mark Nepo, Poet and Writer

 - Sr. Catherine Taberski

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

FEBRUARY 18, 2024
Mark 1:12-15
The first words of today’s Gospel give us a good inkling of the power of the Holy Spirit…a power we can’t even begin to understand. The Gospel says the Spirit “drove” Jesus into the desert. “Drove”…pushed, impelled, forced, shoved. But also we could understand that this Spirit power was a force that Jesus felt within him to convince him that he absolutely had to go into the desert. Maybe at the time he didn’t know why but eventually the Spirit reveals the call of God.
Have you ever felt so convinced of something, a feeling so powerful that there was nothing to do but act upon it? You might have felt “driven”to do something or change something or become something. Jesus felt that feeling and many prophets of the past had it and prophets of today have that feeling that just impels them to act. When this forceful feeling is the Spirit, then people will risk their lives for something good; they will do all they can to help to drive away evil and selfishness.
When the Spirit of God is present, very often the spirit of evil is present…tempting, objecting, dissuading. The spirit of Satan was present with Jesus in the desert but the Spirit of God was stronger because Jesus would not give in to evil. God never fails those who call upon God with trust.
After the prophet John the Baptist was arrested, Jesus the prophet began to proclaim the Good News, telling the people then and telling us now, that the time is here, the time is now for fulfillment. How do we become fulfilled? We pray to have hearts and lives changed and we long for the kingdom of God. “We believe in the Gospel.” We let ourselves be driven into the “desert” and we reject the power of evil, not matter how it manifests itself to us. How blessed we are that God sent Jesus into our world to bring us this message of salvation. May it cause us always to be driven into the very heart of God.
 -Sr. Patricia Brady

SIXTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

FEBRUARY 11, 2024
Mark 1: 40-45 I don’t think I fully realized just how important the sense of touch is especially for someone ill or dying, until my mother lay unconscious from a massive heart attack. The medical staff was about to try a procedure in an attempt to save her life and gave us a few moments to be with her. Each one of us spoke words of love as she lay motionless. I started to stroke her head and although her eyes never opened again, a smile crossed her lips. She felt that last touch of love!
In today’s Gospel, Jesus ‘filled with compassion’ reaches out to ‘touch’ the leper kneeling before him. He does not concern himself with the law of the time that treated lepers as outcasts, not to be approached. His focus is only on this person suffering from both an illness and isolation. The leper had said: ‘If you wish, you can make me clean’. Jesus responded: ‘I do will it’!
Perhaps a response to this Gospel could be to say to Jesus: ‘I will do it’! I will reach out to the outcasts of my time, whoever they may be. It could be someone from a different religion, political party, new in the neighborhood or country, or even a member of our own family.
Sometimes we too experience isolation and alienation and need Jesus to touch and heal us and there are times when we are this Jesus who touches and heals others.
 -Sister Ann Marie Grasso

FIFTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

FEBRUARY 4, 2024
Job 7: 1-4, 6-7 Psalm 147: 1-2, 2-4, 5-6 I Corinthians 9: 16-19, 22-23 Mark 1:29- 39 February has barely begun and yet, in 10 days, we will celebrate the beginning of the 40 days of Lent. Does it seem like the last few weeks have been a post-Christmas let-down so that with Job, we are fatigued, depressed, disoriented? What can change this mood before we begin to prepare for the great forty days? The Gospel text gives us some insight and some direction telling us about events that fill Jesus’ day. Not knowing what he did earlier in the day, we see him taking part in the Jewish communal evening prayer in the synagogue with his inner circle of disciples. Going afterwards to Simon Peter’s house with his friends, Jesus is greeted at the door with the news that Simon Peter’s his mother-in-law is sick. Jesus goes to her, takes her hand and helps her to get up. It is just that simple! Restored to health, she of course continues her daily routine and fixes a meal for them all! But the day’s work for Jesus does not end at sunset. Instead, a stream of people seeking healing from God are brought to him. He cures those who are afflicted while the “whole town is watching at the door.” What were they hoping to see, to experience? What did they feel called to do? After getting some rest, Jesus rises in the morning and goes away to pray. This time though, he is by himself with his Father. Peter interrupts Jesus’ prayer to remind him that “everyone” in town is looking for him. But Jesus reminds Peter that there are more people “out there” who need his love and healing. And so, his ministry will continue but in a different place. How will they participate in his ministry? What are some of the invitations that these Scriptures offer us for our prayer and our reflection? ➢ We are called to communion with our God in community and also privately in prayer. ➢ We are called to share the love, healing and our work with those around us. ➢ We are called to have a broader vision than the relatively small world of our individual lives, for the sake of life for others. ➢ We are called to believe that as members of a community of faith, our God does not abandon us when difficulties arise, as they will. In these times of so much world-wide violence and dissension, of natural disasters and human inability to discern what to do and how, let us pray together and individually for the strength that can only come from God working through our daily lives.
 -Sr. Mary Laura Lesniak

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

JANUARY 28, 2024
Listen! Today’s readings focus on hearing the word of God. In the time of Moses, as recounted in today’s first reading, Moses told the people that God would send them a prophet, and God’s words would be in this prophet’s mouth, and “to him shall you listen.” In the Gospel, we find that prophet, Jesus, teaching in the Synagogue “as one having authority.” And the psalm refrain admonishes us: “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”
 In our contemporary society it is rather striking to realize how poorly human beings communicate, and how few people really listen. In any communication there are really two things happening simultaneously: a message is being delivered, and it is being communicated by a human being using tone, emphasis, and emotion. Sometimes a listener is so distracted – or put off – by the delivery, that the objective message is never heard. A good listener hears and understands both the message and how it is, as it were, “packaged.” A good listener hears with discernment. The author Simon Sinek wrote that “Hearing is listening to what is said. Listening is hearing what isn’t said.” Jesus seems to have been both a good communicator and a good listener, understanding the person as well as the message, listening to the voice of the heart as well as to the spoken word.
It is comforting to know that when we speak to God, he will listen to whatever we say, and despite whatever emotion has prompted our prayer. The Psalms are surely proof of that. The psalmists expressed every emotion – joy, praise, anger, bitterness, violence - always confident that God would listen without judgement because he held them in a covenant of love. In Psalm 17 the psalmist prays, “I call upon you for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. Wondrously show me your steadfast love.” We, too, are loved by God unconditionally and God will listen to our prayer, and speak to our hearts. We will encounter God in a myriad of different ways, in various circumstances, and through the intervention of many different people. Are we listening?
-Regina Murphy, SSMN

THIRD SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

JANUARY 21, 2024
We are all called to follow Jesus namely to be his disciples.  All of us, no matter what we do or where we live have been called by Jesus to proclaim the Good News.  St. Francis says, "Proclaim the Good News and if necessary use words."
All the readings today speak about saying yes to God.  Jonah tries to run away from God, and is swallowed up by a whale and he is spit out on the shores of Nineveh.  Then he begins to walk across Nineveh calling for them to repent.  His message was heard and the people repented.  They took his message to heart.  He responded to God, even though at first he didn't want to.The responsorial psalm is a prayer for us to say each day:  "Teach me your ways O Lord" if we are to follow the Lord.
The first letter of Paul to the Corinthians speaks of the ending of the world. The people thought that the end was coming soon.  It wasn't so much that the world was ending as to get the message out to the people and to answer to the call of God.
The Gospel of Mark speaks of the calling of some of the 12 disciples.  We are also called to answer the call.  It's the call, response and the companionship, working together which is important.  The call isn't easy at times and neither are the sacrifices.
Recently I received a call at the end of October to go to Texas for a year.  i was shocked and thought maybe I didn't understand the call.  I was only back from my last mission of 29 years in another country.  I started my new mission of 4 years working in the parish, tutoring and doing a service for my community and now what off again??  Yes at times it is hard to say yes to the Lord but he gives the grace to do the mission.  So I left my community, my service, my mission and set off to another state not knowing what I was to do.  I have faith, many times little but knowing that the Lord is in Control.
Let us always have hearts open to the Lord to do His will and not count the cost even though it is hard.  god always gives his grace.  Blessings as we start a new year. 
 -Sr. Rose Ann

SECOND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

JANUARY 14, 2024
The readings for the 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time are anything but ordinary.  They have very powerful messages that, I believe, God is sending us.
 The first reading is from the Book of Samuel (1 Samuel 3:3b-10,19).  The Lord called Samuel, but Samuel did not recognize him.  He then receives advice from Eli who is already a prophet for the Lord.  Samuel follows Eli’s instructions and listens to the Lord. 
 Our second reading is from St. Paul's letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 6:13c-15a,17-20.) In this reading, Paul is telling us that the body is made for the Lord.  Jesus redeems all humanity, and the Holy Spirit dwells within each person.  
 The gospel passage for the second Sunday of Ordinary time (John 1: 35-42), gives us the purpose of John the Baptist who is to point the way to Jesus, and then Jesus gives Peter a new name. “You are Simon, son of John, you will be called Cephas”. Both names, Simon and Peter, have significance and meaning.  It is the combination of the two names together that really gives the full significance.  
 The original name Simon in Hebrew means 'listen’ or ‘hear’.  The Hebrew name Cephas means ‘rock.’ .  So - when one reads the name Simon Peter it literally means ‘listening rock’ or ‘hearing rock.” Could Jesus be pointing out the primary role of a disciple - to listen to the Word of God? 
Could this be a good reflection for us this week - to listen to God because God has something to say, and we don’t want to miss it.  But how does one listen?  Listening involves quieting our minds and giving our full attention to what God wants to tell us.  This reminds me of the passage in Mark’s gospel where Jesus spoke to a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4: 39).  Jesus said “Quiet! Be still.” How about these two words: ‘listen’ and ‘silent’ - is it a coincidence that these two words have the same letters??
 Perhaps these readings for this week are telling us that if we want to hear the voice of God, let us make sure that we practice the silence, and listen.  Only then can we hear what God has to say.
 -Sr Sandra Makowski

FIRST SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

JANUARY 7, 2024 EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
Isaiah 60:1-6 Ps. 72: 1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 Ephesians 3: 3a, 5-6 Matthew 2: 1-12 “This day is the feast of the blessed pilgrimage of people who are looking for God while on their journey through life, and the feast of those who find God because they have been looking for him” (Karl Rahner). It is the feast of the announcement and revelation of the Savior and redeemer of all people, not just his own people but also the Gentiles and everyone in the world. God wants to be known and this event is the disclosure of God (1 Timothy 3: 16). Toward him is directed the process of changing and finding what they seek. The Magi set out to explore. They see a star rising in the sky. Their hearts are filled with light. Their restless longing spurs them on. The star is still there. The heart perseveres. They arrive in Bethlehem and kneel down to offer up the gold of their love, the incense of respect, and the myrrh of pain and sacrifice to the Child. As quietly as they came, they disappear. They have risked everything, have given their royal hearts to the invisible eternal Light. Let us go on this journey of the heart toward God in our time. Our Holy Father Francis in March of 2021 on his visit to the Catholic Church in Ur of the Chaldees, the dwelling place of Abraham and Sarah, had this to say to the nations and to the Church of the Orient and of the West: “Look up into the heavens and see the stars. Remember the promise made to Abraham and his descendants. God is faithful to his covenant.”
 -Sr. Nancy Charlesworth
*excerpts from Karl Rahner and Romano Guardini

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

DECEMBER 17, 2023
The 3rd Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday.  Gaudete is the Latin word for rejoice.  The candle is pink which is the symbol for Joy.We pray, read, reflect on joy.  All the readings today speak of joy.  Isaiah 61 truly refers to Jesus - "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because....anointed me.... sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, heal the brokenhearted...."  Jesus gives us the same Spirit to do the task - to heal, bring good news to the poor....
The psalm which is the Magnificat - is one of rejoicing.  My soul rejoices in my God.
In 1 Thes. 5, Paul continues the idea of joy.  "Rejoice always - give thanks...  We await the coming of Christ at Christmas.  Paul's final blessing here is that we be safe until the coming of Christ.
In John's Gospel - once again we have John the Baptist who gives testimony to the Light (Jesus).  John sees his role as a messenger who cries out to "Make straight the way of the Lord."  During this time, we need to look at our lives to see if we are on the right way of the Lord.  Our hearts need to rejoice that the Lord is near.  Change our stony hearts of flesh and Rejoice that the Lord is near.
Let us in these last days of Advent be open to the Spirit and follow his ways.  Rejoice in the Lord always.
 -Sr. Rose Ann

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

DECEMBER 10, 2023
We are greeted this morning with the prophet Isaiah’s cry to “prepare the way of the Lord!”. And, in the very first lines of Mark’s gospel, John the Baptist is introduced with these same words of Isaiah. Isaiah had foretold the coming of a Messiah. John the Baptist announced the need to receive a baptism of repentance and forgiveness aspreparation for the Messiah’s imminent arrival. Each Advent we, too, prepare our hearts for the celebration of the mystery of the incarnation. How does our preparation compare to that of the people of Isaiah’s time, or to those who went into the desert tobe baptized by John? What does it really mean to “prepare the way of the Lord”? In both the Hebrew and Greek languages, the word for “way” has multiple meanings. It can mean a path one travels, or it can have a broader meaning such as the overall direction of a person’s life, or living according to the way of God. It would be easy for us to tell ourselves that we will prepare the way of the Lord simply by avoidingsin and being repentant for out faults. But that is really not enough. Some insight into this can be found in Luke’s account of John the Baptist, since Luke adds a bit more detail than is found in Mark’s account. According to Luke, Johnthe Baptist not only told the crowds that they needed to repent and be baptized, but he also warned them against being hypocrites, telling them that they needed to bear fruits worthy of repentance. The crowds then asked John: “What then shall we do?” John responded very simply: If you have two coats, give one to a person who hasnone. Whoever has food must do likewise. Several other practical examples follow. John was clearly indicating that the baptism he offered demanded a radical change of heart that would indicate a new “way” of life conforming to the image of the Messianic kingdom of justice, peace, and mercy.
John’s words need to be heeded by us, also. Only with this kind of preparation will the Kingdom of God be realized. -Regina Murphy, SSMN

THIRTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

NOVEMBER 26, 2023 CHRIST THE KING
Ez 34: 11-12, 15-17 1 Cor 15:20-26, 28 Mt 25: 31-46
Today’s Feast names Jesus our “King of Kings, and Lord of Lords” (as Handel’s “Alleluia Chorus” acclaims). In the Gospels of all 3 cycles for this Feast, there is a focus not only on Jesus, but also on those who choose to follow him: those who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb, who have been purified, and who now bear his mark on their foreheads” (Rev 7:3,14). They are now invited to follow him in the grand procession into the eternal Banquet.
Today’s gospel, taken from Matthew 25, cites the parable of the shepherd who separates the sheep from the goats, so that only those found worthy can follow him. Jesus is the shepherd who knows his sheep, and who is able to distinguish genuine goodness from every mask of deception and self-interest. While God may have allowed “the weeds and the wheat” to grow together before, the time has now come to separate them, and to admit only the pure-hearted into the Banquet.

The Feast of Christ the King is celebrated at the end of the Church year as the culmination of our understanding of who Jesus is. Yes, he is the gentle shepherd who nurses the wounded lambs in his flock. But at the end of time, he assumes his role as Lord: the One who gave his life for his sheep, and now calls those who have been faithful to their eternal reward. God always intended for no one to be excluded from his banquet – the choice was always ours, and no one has ever been forced to follow the Lamb. But now is the time for the Great Separation.
In this Feast, we celebrate the Lamb, although slain, who still lives, and who finally reigns. He alone is worthy to be worshipped. God’s victory over evil is final and is visible for all to see. And the Church rejoices ecstatically. If we have eyes to see the great procession now forming behind him, will our hearts be free enough to let go of everything that hinders us, and race to join it (cf Heb 12: 1-2)? Will we allow Jesus to take our hand and accompany us, to lift us up when we fall, and to carry us whenever necessary? Will we allow him to be the One who sustains us and strengthens us, who feeds us and heals us, who loves us into existence every step of the way?
All that he asks is that we do the same for one another: that we walk together, supporting one another in this great procession… Like Jesus, we must embrace any who begin to slip and fall along the way. It is necessary that we arrive at the great banquet hall together, where we will discover that for each of us, our soiled garments have miraculously become white as snow… TOGETHER: God wills that this not be a solitary journey, but that, no matter how late someone joins the procession, they be welcomed in and embraced. Only then can we truly be a People who mirror the face of our God. Only then can we be worthy to join the procession of the Lamb. Perhaps our movement toward our brothers and sisters is what really determines the outcome of the Great Separation… Will we choose to walk together and support one another – and thus become People worthy of the Lamb??
 -Sr. Patrice Yarborough

THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

NOVEMBER 19, 2023
Proverbs 31: 10-13, 19-20, 30-31 Matthew 25: 14-30
Today’s readings are a wonderful source of reflection. In the first reading from Proverbs we ponder the worthy wife, who has “value far beyond pearls.” We learn that her husband has indeed found a treasure, and “entrusts his heart to her.” These words show a very tender relationship between husband and wife. The reading continues, “She beings him good and not evil… works with loving hands … reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her hands to the needy.” She is certainly someone special who spreads blessings to all she meets.
In this reading we find a woman whose value is not just that she does good things for her husband, like a servant. What she does flows from who she is. Thus he entrusts his heart to her. He appreciates her goodness and loves her deeply. Their relationship is to be treasured.
The Gospel story from Matthew is about the man going on a journey and entrusting his talents to his servants. Later, the man says, “Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.” The servant receives more responsibility but also joy, the “master’s joy.” This joy is a gift, unexpected.
Further on we see another servant who hides his talent out of fear. This shows that his relationship with his master is not one of trust. He sees the man as a tyrant. He has been given a responsibility to make that talent grow. Instead, all he does is bury it, to “keep it safe.” Feeling the need to keep it safe is the response of a person filled with anxiety.
The word “entrust” is a strong word and was used in the Proverbs reading as well. “Entrust” comes from the word trust. It implies a relationship and has its basis in caring. When you trust someone, you also empower her/him, you build this person up. You show confidence in her or him. In both readings such empowerment is displayed. Entrust also means to put something into someone's care or protection. This has beautiful connotations for both the person giving and the one receiving. [I think of placing a baby into the arms of a loved one.]
In the gospel parable, Jesus is speaking about talents. This suggests our abilities, given to us by God. So I would ask: what do I do with my own talents or abilities? How do I use them for the greater good? Who benefits from my talents? To me it is very important to be aware of who benefits from my talents. I want to use them in ways that benefit those most in need. I want to be God’s faithful servant.
Let us pray to become more like the faithful wife and the faithful servant, ever more able to receive the gifts God has given and to use them to help others.
 -Sr. Corinne Yarborough

THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

NOVEMBER 12, 2023
Matthew 25: 1-13
I ‘m convinced that somewhere in the DNA of ‘brothers’ is the irresistible urge to tease their unsuspecting siblings. And they’re good at it! Some years ago while in conversation with my youngest brother, he unexpectedly looked at me and with all seriousness, or so it seemed, declared: ‘You’re my ticket to heaven’. Foolishly I took the bait and reacted to such an outlandish thought, responding: ‘It doesn’t work like that!’ ‘I have no such power! The broad smile on his face spoke volumes: ‘Got you!’…again!
Unfortunately, in today’s Gospel, the foolish virgins seem to expect the wise ones to be their ‘ticket to heaven’. They apparently didn’t understand: ‘If we are notready for Christ’s coming, we can’t count on anyone else to cover for us.’ Preparedness is the responsibility of each one. And having enough oil in our lamps is a must. But what does this mean? Some say the oil represents our good works. While I believe they are important, being prepared must encompass much more. Surely Faith and Hope need to accompany any good I do. And what about my relationship to Jesus? Do I nourish it with prayer, Eucharist, the Word?
Christ is always coming toward us. And so I ask myself: How often do I see the hand of God in unexpected events? Am I conditioned to expect the unexpected? I am a person of routine and now and then get out of sorts with sudden changes, but when I reflect on them I realize how those surprise moments were really filled with God’s grace and presence.
We are living in a crucial time of spending our lives being open to Christ’s comings in the here and now. We don’t know when Christ will come again, nor if he will come for us beforehand. Our preparation is to live each day as if it was the day our Bridegroom does come inviting us to the feast.
 -Sister Ann Marie

THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

NOVEMBER 5, 2023
Malachi 1:14-2:2, 8-10       Psalm 131:1-3       1 Thessalonians 2:7b-9,13       Matthew 23:1-12

On this, the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Church cries out to God "Make haste and come to my help!"  In response to our cry we hear some puzzling words of Jesus,  "The greatest among you will be your servant."  Jesus turns things all upside down as he sometimes does.  That's not the help we are asking for!  Puzzling as these words may be, I believe they are a key to understanding the admonitions that the prophet Malachi addresses to the Old Testament priests in our First Reading, and to the scribes and pharisees who are listening to Jesus in today's Gospel scene, as well as the testimony that Paul gives us about his service in the Thessalonian communities.
 These precious readings touch each of our hearts and lives today in the violent and chaotic world that we read about in the newspaper and actually see with our own eyes every evening on the news.  A world that is torn apart by war and poverty, and at the same time held together with the actions of brave people seeking peace.  Upside down, isn't it?We may find ourselves sometimes among the "greatest" and sometimes among the "least."  This possibility is both an ancient and a current reality.  Matthew encourages us to pay attention to the controversy, the chaos, the puzzles of our lives in the world today.  Where are we - greatest or least?  There was a harsh controversy in his world and even in the crowd following Jesus.  He warns his disciples that the Jewish leaders can not be their models in facing the current controversy because they "do not practice what they teach."  He questions their desire to look important and enjoy the privileges of being on the "right side" in their society.Centuries before Matthew, Malachi warned the spiritual leaders of his time about the danger of the same thing.  He tells them that the only meaning of their position as teachers is "to listen and take it to heart what they hear and to give glory to my name, says the Lord of Hosts."
 And isn't the prophet speaking also to each of us as we try to find our place in the chaotic world we live in today.  He tells us that "giving glory to God" means first listening carefully to hear God speak and then putting God's Will into practice - actually doing it! 
 Jesus is the model of this listening and doing.  The very meaning of his life was to do his Father's will in everything and to show the world the signs of God's presence with us, however chaotic that world may be.  
I am reminded of a sentence from our old Directory (1958 edition) "The Sisters have a unique model, Christ, only one Master, Christ.  This perspective of faith illumines their lives."  By their words, their attitudes, and their consistent living in peace, they remember who is the only teacher and the only model.  Jesus actually summarizes these readings for his disciples and for us when he says., "the greatest among you will be your servant."  And as each of us strives to live this "summary" or paradox with love and humility, we will bring to our upside down world today, what Paul brought to the communities in Thessalonica - not a human word of peace and encouragement, but God's Word.

 -Sr. Caroline

THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

OCTOBER 29, 2023
Exodus 22:20-26 1Thessalonians 1:5c-10 Matt. 22:34-40
Some of us found it hard to remember the 10 commandments as kids; whereas the 2 commandments that Jesus taught were much easier to remember and included the 10. Let's give thanks to Jesus today for the 2 commandments.
Exodus takes on the second commandment. “Love others as well as you love yourself”. We are to take on the widows, orphans, refugees, those seeking asylum, the hungry on the street corners, all those who can't pay us back. Let us be generous to them.
Paul's letter to the Thessalonians is part of the first commandment to love God. God should be our first priority. Once someone asked my father what his first priority in life was. He said God then his wife and his children. Truly God is our first priority, so Paul says to the people, “You have turned from idols to serve the Living True God. You're the message to serve the Lord with your lives. “
In the Gospel, Jesus sums up the 10 commandments with 2. In one translation it says, " Love the Lord with all your passion and prayer and intelligence. God's love takes on our life, how we live, work and pray. There is a story that I heard this week about a boy in the second grade. The teacher was giving a science lesson on the planets. She asked the children if they thought there was life on the other planets. The little boy jumped up and said: “Of course” The teacher asked him why. He said that God loves us so much why wouldn't he put others on the other planets. Yes, Gods love is real, great, all encompassing.Let us go forth this week and live theses 2 commandments.This week we celebrate All Saints Day and All soul's day. Let us remember those who truly lived the commandments with their lives.
 -Sr. Rose Ann Cappola

TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

OCTOBER 22, 2023
Isaiah 45: 1, 4-6 1 Thessalonians 1: 1-5b Matthew 22:15-21 The Gospel message today is from a well-known saying. “Render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” Recently, I learned something about a phrase that’s being used, “gaslighting”. I sense some of that here with the Pharisees and their plotting to engage Jesus in some kind of trickery. They are in Jerusalem and Jesus has just come into town. This is the time leading up to the Passover. They sent their disciples to Jesus with the Herodians saying, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and you teach the way of God”. “Tell us what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” A reflection I read said they went to a form of “gotcha” question. No matter which way Jesus answers he’ll get into trouble. Another reflection said they were trying to figure out a way to turn the crowds away from Jesus or get the authorities to come down on Jesus.Jesus responded by asking “Why are you testing me?” “Show me the coin.” The Jews were divided about paying taxes to Caesar. The coin had the image of the current Roman emperor, and the inscription gave his title: “Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus.” He was considered by some to be divine. Perhaps their underlying question to Jesus was whose image do you bear? Jesus is standing right in front of them. The crowds are following Jesus. For them Jesus was a healer, the one who forgives, the one who feeds the crowds and loves everyone. Jesus challenged the leaders and called them to repentance.Here's Jesus’ answer, “Render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” I leave you with this thought from the psalmist to ponder: “What shall I render to God?” Jesus is the Messiah. -Sister Roberta Fulton, SSMN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqU_32v0R_I

TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

OCTOBER 15, 2023
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. (Ps. 23:1) This opening line from our Psalm today sets the scene for all we hear in the Scriptures chosen for the 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time, year A. The beautifully poetic passage from Isaiah 25 is familiar to many as a funeral mass reading. It offers the comforting promise that death will be destroyed and all tears will be wiped away. Paul’s letter to the Philippians proclaims that God will fully supply whatever we need and, in the Gospel passage, the King invites us all to the lavish feast for the wedding of his son. Faith and a relationship with the Divine is our wellspring for hope, strength and courage. God provides for us; our unique planet is blessed with air to breathe, water to drink, plants and animals to nourish us. Humans in particular have been gifted with a consciousness of self and others, with the ability to cherish and love and with the freedom to choose our pathways and actions. In more hopeful times, we were encouraged to “live simply so that others may simply live.” Our present day world with its ever-growing divisions between those who have too much and those who have too little is not as God desires. The stress this disparity causes is expressed throughout civilization. Those with less grow in resentment and anger. Those with much seek security through exclusion and the exercise of power. We are far from the restful waters promised in the Psalm. In our personal lives, it is our task to seek the verdant pastures and the restful waters; to accept the King’s invitation to the feast; to ascend God’s holy mountain; to do all things in Christ who strengthens us.
-Sister Lori High [email protected]

TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

OCTOBER 1, 2023
As we read the gospel, do we think about the fact that this vineyard, maybe we could call it our world, or our earth, has been entrusted to us, to people all throughout history up until the present time. What have we done with it? What are we doing with it? God has said to us:  “Here is my world. Care for it. Watch over it, until I come. Watch over my people, until I come”. We could ask ourselves if Mercy has really been shown to our world, to our earth, to our people throughout the world. What would our answer be?  Would we be like the wicked tenants of the gospel who, because of greed and selfishness refuse to give the produce of the Vineyard back to the owner?  What have greed and the lack of mercy done to our world, to our people?
And then, one day, God sends his Son, the one who will show the people how to care for the earth, and for God‘s people.  We know what selfishness, and evil did to him. As I think about this gospel, and about what happened to those who care for the Vineyard, the earth, and Jesus, the heir to all of it, I think about those in the world who have tried so hard to be representatives of Jesus, by their work, and by their lives. People who try to save the Amazon. People who struggle to try to improve farmers’ rights and the rights of migrant workers. People who recognize what is happening to our world, to our climate and know what needs to be done and shout all of this out to deaf ears. This is our vineyard. We are the tenants. The heir, the universal Christ is with us in this vineyard, in this world.
Let us remember what has been entrusted to us, what we are to care for: our world and one another. And we also remember that: “God so loved the world that God sent his only son.” What a gift to treasure and to cherish.
 -Sr Patricia Brady

TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

SEPTEMBER 24, 2023
Isaiah 55:6-9 Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18 Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a Matthew 20:1-16a This Sunday’s Gospel reading continues the emphasis on forgiveness but with a twist. The section of the Gospel we ponder this Sunday stumps our human imagination, our ideas about fairness and justice. What is even more to the point, it describes the ways of God as beyond anything our human imaginations can naturally accept. As little children, we asked the question “how much do you love me?” and we learned to spread our hands wide as a way of accepting this generous love. On the other hand, “It’s not fair” has been repeated by each one of us since the time we were little and wanted a greater share of a parent’s love or of a teacher’s praise. “It’s not fair” when a loved one is able to be more generous with his or her praise, time, mercy or understanding than are we. At Passover, during the Seder service as the story of God’s fidelity is told once again, the refrain “It would have been enough” is repeated: It would have been enough if God had only created the universe, it would have been enough if God had called Abraham and Sarah to parent a nation, it would have been enough if God had brought the people of Israel into the Promised Land. It would have been enough! What is my RSVP today to God’s invitation today to accept and to share God’s limitless love in my own life and in the lives of the people of our world? Will there be less love in the world if I share it? When Pope Francis reminds us that we are “fratelli tutti”, he states the obvious. We are called to share the love of God without limit---with the boat people who survived and came to Lampedusa, with the men, women and children who have walked treacherous miles to come to the US border, with the persons who make our lives “miserable” because of their sense of justice or humor or self-pre-occupation or generosity of time and talent, or… Hannah Arendt, a German-born philosopher of the 20th century, wrote that a human person is most God-like when he or she forgives. Is there any more difficult human activity than for me/us to attempt to temper our sense of fairness with over-powering love? And yet this is precisely what the Scriptures proclaim to us: God loves and in loving us, God forgives. Will I, will we try to love by forgiving and loving in unimaginable ways?
 -Sr. Mary Laura Lesniak, ssmn

TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023
The first sentence of today’s reading from the Book of Sirach leaves no doubt about the theme of the day: “Wrath and anger are hateful things . . .”
During my junior year in college, I spent one afternoon a week visiting an institution for children who were taken from their homes by the court or by social services. Most of my time was spent in the Day Room of the infirmary, helping to care for children recovering from childhood illnesses. One day, while I was holding an infant with a bad cold, a boy about six years old became belligerent toward the other children. When he ignored my requests to behave, I found someone to hold the infant for me and I took the boy by the shoulders and asked him why he was behaving so badly. His unexpected response was to dive into my arms and sob. He was not really angry, he was simply in need of love and attention. Since that day, whenever I encounter “angry” people, I wonder what has prompted their anger; or, are they really “angry” at all, and is anger only an outward expression of a deeper problem.
 The Book of Sirach reminds us that only a sinner “hugs” wrath and anger tightly. Those who walk in God’s way and are faithful to God’s covenant of love will show others the same mercy and forgiveness that God has shown to them. St. Paul reminds the Romans of that same reality: Christians live not for themselves, but for the Lord. And the Lord, in the words of Psalm 103, “is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.”
The parable that Jesus recounts to his disciples in today’s gospel vividly describes what will happen to the person who does not treat others with the same love and compassion that God shows to each of us. If we claim to be Christian, we must live the gospel life, and we must forgive one another from our heart. In response to Peter’s question about how many times we need to forgive others, the response of seventy times seven was Jesus’ way of saying that forgiveness must be limitless.
 Anger is, unfortunately, a common human emotion that can have terrible consequences. Understanding the origins of our own anger is the first step in finding personal reconciliation and internal peace. Anger in others will only be mitigated with compassion and forgiveness. Love is stronger that hate, compassion more powerful than anger. Let us pray that God will remake our own hearts in the likeness of Christ, so that we may love and forgive others as we ourselves have been loved and forgiven.
-Regina Murphy, SSMN

TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

SEPTEMBER 10, 2023
Ez 33: 7-9 Rom 13: 8-10 Mt 18: 15-20
Our gospel for today probably makes most of us uncomfortable. We don’t like to confront people about their behavior or attitudes. We would prefer to just shun them, and leave them in their wrongdoings. But today Jesus confronts us in our wrong attitude. He asks us to act out of love for the other person. As Ezekiel says, we are responsible for them, and if we don’t warn them, we bear the responsibility for their spiritual death. How do we handle a situation like this? First we must face our own negative reactions. If we are not full of love for the person, take the whole situation to prayer, and pray to be able to love the person as Jesus does, even with their faults; to care about what they are doing to themselves by their actions. That is what should sadden us.
Then when we are coming from a loving place, we can ask for the wisdom to know how to confront this person with the truth. If we do it in a loving way, even though it is probably embarrassing for the person, hopefully our genuine concern for them will win out, and they will be able to admit their wrongdoing, and we can pray together about the situation and how they can make positive changes. You will have deepened your friendship and saved your friend.
But if he/she refuses to accept your understanding of the situation, Jesus doesn’t let up. He says to get 2 or 3 other witnesses who can verify what you have said, and you must try again. All of this is to be done in a loving way, solely out of concern for the good of the person and any others being hurt. It requires a lot of prayer to reach such a level of love – a miracle of grace, in your own heart and in the heart of the other person. But Jesus promises just such a miracle. The reading from Romans reinforces this command of Jesus to act only in love.
What a wonderful world it would be (the Kingdom would have arrived!) if we could all treat one another with such love. Mistakes and more serious sins will inevitably happen, but how we respond to one another requires a miracle of grace – over and over and over again. It shall always be given – we have God’s promise – if we only ask wholeheartedly. Today’s gospel contains one of those “hard” sayings of Jesus, and he knows what it will cost us to follow his advice, but he will be with us, accompanying us as we try to do the right thing, in a spirit of love.

 -Sr. Patrice Yarborough

TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

AUGUST 27, 2023
Isaiah 22:19-23 Romans 11:33-36 Matthew 16:13-20 The question that Jesus asked Peter: “But who do you say that I am?”Peter answers: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”Then Jesus puts him at the head of the Church, thus the Church begins.Let us reflect on how we would answer the question of Jesus. Who is Jesus for me? Perhaps at different times of our life, Jesus is different for each of us. Jesus is my Shepherd who takes care of me, protects me.Jesus is my brother whom I can talk to when I need help or consolation.Jesus is my map who leads me along the right path.Jesus is my friend to whom I can express my thoughts too.Jesus is the door which is always open.Jesus is my light when I walk in darkness.Jesus is my truth when I confused and need direction.Jesus is my way when I am lost.Jesus is my nourishment to follow him in the Eucharist.Jesus is my hope when things in my life hit rock bottom.Jesus is my first love.Jesus is my Savior who died and rose for me.Jesus is my Rock when I'm too weak to stand.Who do you say Jesus is for you?May we live this week thinking about how much we need Jesus in our life.
 -Sr. Rose Ann

EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

AUGUST 6, 2023
FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 Psalm 97:1-2,5-6,9 2nd Letter of St. Peter 1:16-19 Matthew 17:1-9 “We behold the splendor of God, shining on the face of Jesus…”In preparing this reflection, I came upon a commentary by Tom Wright in his book MATTHEW for Everyone*, where he writes:“If you want to see Jesus’ divinity, the early Christians would tell us, you must look, however surprisingly, at Jesus’ suffering and shameful death. …it’s a puzzle the first Christians insisted we should live with.In fact, the scene at the transfiguration…offers a strange parallel and contrast to the crucifixion (Matthew 27:33-54) … Here (Mt.17) on a mountain is Jesus, revealed in glory; there (Mt. 27:33-54), on a hill outside Jerusalem, is Jesus, revealed in shame. Here his clothes are shining white; there, they have been stripped off, and soldiers have gambled for them. Here he is flanked by Moses and Elijah, two of Israel’s greatest heroes, representing the LAW and the prophets; there, he is flanked by two brigands, representing the level to which Israel had sunk in rebellion against God. Here, a bright cloud overshadows the scene; there, darkness comes upon the land. Here, Peter blurts out how wonderful it all is; there, he is hiding in shame after denying he even knows Jesus. Here a voice from God declares that this is God’s wonderful son; there, a pagan soldier declares, in surprise, that this really was God’s son.…Learn to see the glory in the cross; learn to see the cross in the glory; and you will have begun to bring together the laughter and the tears of the God who hides in the cloud, the God who is to be known in the strange person of Jesus himself.…Jesus isn’t just a prophet; he is God’s own son, the Messiah, and God is delighted with what he is doing. The word to the disciples then is just as much a word to us today. If you want to find the way—the way to God, the way to the promised land—you must listen to him (cf. Mt. 16:21-23).”Some other points for reflection and prayer:Where do I see a daily need for more attentive listening to God, to others, to the earth, to myself?How do I respond in word and in action to the transforming love of God?“Transparent hearts give reflection of Tabor’s light within…”
 -Sr. Mary Laura Lesniak, SSMN *Tom Wright, MATTHEW for Everyone, Part 2, Copyright © Nicholas Thomas Wright 2002, Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, spckpublishing.co.uk.

SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

JULY 30, 2023
1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 Matt 13:44-52
In the first reading from the First Book of Kings there is a wonderful scene: In a dream God tells Solomon to ask for something (anything). And Solomon asks for an understanding heart. Given a choice, this is what he really desires.
It pleased God that Solomon did not make a selfish request and so God promised him wisdom, with a heart “so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you” (now or to come). What is given is a superabundance of wisdom, rich and overflowing… It is always this way with God’s gifts. Our God can never be out-done in generosity.
However, we later see that even though God had given Solomon wisdom, he was not faithful to God as his father David was. He began to worship the gods that his wives worshiped. He even built shrines where his wives could worship their false gods. This displeased God and eventually the Kingdom split.
Solomon had free will, and at this point chose not to use his gift of wisdom. This is an important part of God’s relationship with each of us. Our free will is always there. God entrusts us with gifts, but gives us the freedom to use them or not.
In Matthew’s gospel we find several short stories: about a person finding a treasure buried in a field, a merchant searching for fine pearls, and a net cast into the sea with fishermen hauling in a superabundance of fish. These stories have a common theme.
What is truly significant, and the point Jesus is making, is that the man goes and sells all he has to buy the field. The next one does the same to buy the pearl – and all are working hard to haul in the load of fish. They realize that what they have is of great value and do not want to lose it. No cost is too high to be able to keep and hold on to their treasures. Each of us has also been gifted with unique treasures. In using our free will we make the choices needed to find and nurture the treasures we have been given.
In the light of today’s readings, perhaps we could ponder these ideas:
How often are we aware, deep in our hearts, that we have a treasure within our grasp? What is our treasure at this moment?
Sometimes a treasure is “buried,” is not in plain sight, and we must search for it.What have we missed [or failed to see] that is really important, that is valuable – perhaps not realizing its value until it is too late and is lost?
What do we treasure, hold dear? What price are we willing to pay?Conversely, we might refuse to let go of something that is not good for us. What has that cost us?
Let us pray together that we allow God to work in our hearts, to give us the gift of wisdom. We pray also for the courage to use our gifts, whatever they are, for the good of others.

 -Sr. Corinne Yarborough

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

JULY 23, 2023
There is a line in today’s First Reading from the Book of Wisdom that seems to put all the rest of today’s readings into focus. The line reads “in those who know you, you rebuke temerity.” There seems to be two parts to this quote. First, the qualifier – “those who know you”. Secondly, an action – “you rebuke temerity”. Knowing God is both a simple thing and an unachievable reality. God is everywhere. God’s life giving Spirit animates us from within and awes us in our surroundings. Gifted with eyes to see and ears to hear in Baptism, we must actively disavow God to be unaware of God’s presence. A definition of temerity offers a variety of synonyms: audacity, boldness, nerve, effrontery. Hearing that God rebukes temerity ought to give us pause. Many of us fall into the mistake of thinking we are always correct or that we are somehow in charge of things. In doing so, without a thought of God, we border on temerity! Notice how this line then challenges us throughout the readings of the day.God’s mastery allows God to be lenient. You, O Lord, are slow to anger, abounding in kindness. The Spirit comes to our aid. If you pull up the weeds, you might uproot the wheat as well. The smallest of seeds produces the largest of plant. A little yeast can leaven the entire batch. Let us work to be mindful of letting God be God and knowing ourselves as part of God’s creation. -Sister Lori High [email protected]

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

JULY 16, 2023
Matthew 13:1-9 Jesus loved to tell a good story and this Sunday’s gospel of the sower couldn’t be a better choice. Jesus knew how to pick them! The image of a sower sowing would have spoken volumes to Jesus’ listeners. They saw this kind of image all the time. When I read this gospel, Van Gogh’s painting of the sower appears before my eyes. The sower’s seed flies through the air and falls in many different places. Some of the places described in the gospel don’t lend themselves to a fruitful harvest: rocky ground, among thorns, places easily spied by birds where the seed is gobbled up. And then, we hear about the seed falling on rich soil and bringing up an abundant crop. This is the scenario before us. The listeners of Jesus’ words could picture it all.
Since a parable is a story with a message, it also asks you: What do you see in this story? What kind of ground are we? Does a message from the Scripture fall on a rocky or barren heart? Or does it fall upon a fertile heart, open to receive the message? We are invited to ask ourselves these questions. Sometimes we may think we know the answer to what the Scripture is telling us but then discover that it can come from unexpected places. I will share with you an example from my own experience.
When I was a missionary in Brazil, one of the pastoral experiences that I was responsible for was a group sharing on the Gospel of the coming Sunday. I was in a rural area and people would come in from the countryside for this sharing. It so happened that the Scripture reading for the coming Sunday was the Sower. I prepared all I could so that I would be able to explain to the people the meaning of the parable. Most of the people didn’t read, so after I read the Gospel to them I said: “Now we can see what the parable is telling us.” As I opened my mouth to give forth my carefully prepared explanation, one of the farmers stood and said: “Now I will tell you what this gospel means.” I closed my mouth and listened. I couldn’t have given a better explanation, even after all my book preparation. This farmer spoke from the heart of told the people what Jesus could be saying to them. It was perfect. I could not have done as well. I never forgot this experience.
The farmer explained how it was all a question of the heart. It isn’t what is in books that will change the heart but what a person sees with the eyes of the heart and tries to live. May our hearts be fertile ground, open and ready to welcome the seed of God’s message, ready to have it take root in our hearts and bring forth fruit in our lives.
 -Sr. Patricia Brady

FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

JULY 9, 2023
Zech 9:9-10 Rom 8:9, 11-13 Mt 11:25-30

“I give praise to you Father… for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned, you have revealed them to little ones.” It’s so often true that the “wise and the learned” aren’t always wise, while the “little ones” who have less education and status can be far wiser… In this passage Jesus infers that his Father is pouring out the gifts of the Spirit on everyone. But that the unwise refuse to accept them.
Would that each of us had the wisdom to accept the gifts of the Spirit so lavishly doled out by our loving Father… Would that our hearts had the simple openness of God’s cherished little ones, to treasure those gifts. Sometimes we fritter them away and then blame God for not giving us the gifts which we want but God knows that we don’t really need. If only we had the wisdom to follow God’s lead and appreciate the gifts that he does give us. Then our ministries and relationships would bear the fruit that God wishes, and we would have joy instead of frustration. If only we each had the heart and trust of a “little one”.
We especially appreciate the final paragraph in today’s gospel during times of stress: “Come to me all who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest…” It’s a tender promise from the One who knows our hearts and our needs. It’s not a promise of bliss, but a challenge to take up the Lord’s yoke, to find his Way in the midst of our struggles; to see our situation through his eyes… Then peace can enter our hearts, even if nothing in our circumstances changes.
How can we find God’s Way, which is often so different from our own? How can our vision change so that we can see with God’s eyes and understand our situation as God understands it? We need a miracle of grace. Only in prayer can our eyes be opened, as we rest in him and allow God to move in us, to shed light on our darkened understanding, to expose especially any emotions which might be distorting our perceptions. So often we can misperceive a situation, and when God enlightens our minds with the truth, it becomes more manageable. Discernment is the key.
Today’s gospel encourages us to have open hearts like the wise little ones who are so beloved of God. Let us pray for humble hearts, able to receive the gifts God tries to lavish on us.

-Sr. Patrice Yarborough

THIRTEETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

JULY 2, 2023
This weekend our readings involve the intertwined themes of prophecy, hospitality, thankfulness, and discipleship.
One of the miracle stories involving the prophet Elisha is the subject of the first reading. Elisha lived about 850 years BCE, and he was revered as a man of God. A woman who greatly respected him regularly offered him hospitality. Wanting to repay her in some way, Elisha asked his servant what could be done for her – an interesting act of humility for a great prophet – and the servant suggested that since the woman was without children perhaps she could have a son. Elisha then told the woman that in a year’s time she would have a son. The first reading ends there, but that is really only half of the story. Several years later the boy becomes very ill and dies, the mother finds Elisha and begs his help, and Elisha brings the boy back to life. The words of the responsorial psalm (Psalm 89) could have been her expression of thanksgiving to God – both at her son’s birth and when his life was restored: “The promises of the Lord I will sing forever, through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.”
 The gospel is Matthew’s account of Jesus teaching the apostles what it means to be a disciple, a man of God, worthy of walking in the way of Jesus: take up the cross and follow, lose your life in order to find it. The righteous ones will be those who receive others as they would receive Christ, and those who show kindness to the disciples of Christ. Discipleship will not be easy, but it will ultimately be rewarded.
 St Paul, in his letter to the Romans, sums up the meaning of discipleship: thanks to the death of Christ, we, too, are dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.
 It is our responsibility as Christians to be prophets in a new age, to be men and women living for God in Christ, speaking to others messages of admonition and compassion. We lose our lives in many separate moments each day, and live in Christ as those moments are transformed in our pursuit to “live in newness of life.” To paraphrase Psalm 89: Blessed are the people, O Lord, who walk in the light of your countenance. At your name we will rejoice all the day, and through your justice we will be exalted. -Regina Murphy, SSMN

TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

JUNE 25, 2023
Matthew 10: 26-33
In today’s gospel there are several themes, but I will focus on only two words: ‘fear not’. In my opinion being afraid can prevent us from having the courage to share our faith, another theme of today’s scriptures. How many times have we read these words spoken by Jesus to reassure his disciples of his presence. Like a mother who tenderly and repeatedly tells her child: ‘I won’t let anything happen to you!’ ‘I’m right here!’ ‘Don’t you know how precious you are to me?’
And yet how many times do we forget these comforting words and fall into that death dealing trap called ‘fear’. Fear is an emotion that has the ability to paralyze us in so many ways. Giving into it can keep us from using all our God-given gifts, or perhaps from expanding our hearts and minds to embrace different ways of being, living, or even people.
Not so long ago, I was going ‘door to door’ in a housing project, distributing materials on behalf of a parish. Being September, neither children nor adults were out and about. As I walked in an alley, three youth were suddenly some yards behind me. And for a moment I allowed ‘fear’ to begin its’ nasty work of rash judgement. Unexpectedly, one of the youth called out: ‘Ma’am, what are you passing out’? I turned to face my fear and replied: ‘Church information’. The reply humbled me: ‘Oh! could I have some’? Needless to say I was delighted to share all that I had but also ashamed for letting fear in, brief as it was.
In this gospel text, Jesus provides us with even more reasoning for not fearing by declaring how valuable we truly are that even the hairs on our heads have been counted!! So precise is his knowledge, so careful his love as he turns his eyes on us. A lover knows every detail about the beloved, and notices every change. And so does God with us. So why should we be afraid? The power of anyone is limited and can only attack our earthly life. No one can destroy our true worth, our hope of heavenly life. Perhaps when fear seems to be creeping into our lives, we can remember one of our favorite psalms or songs. Mine would be: ‘Be not afraid, I go before you always’.
 -Sister Ann Marie Grasso


ELEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

JUNE 18, 2023
Exodus 19:2-6a Romans 5:6-11 Matt. 9:36-10:8
Today is Father’s Day, which is an occasion to thank all fathers who support and love their families. In the old school of thought, hopefully in the new school, we see the Father as a person who is one of the bread winners of the family. A person who is a leader and follower of Jesus and projects good values and wisdom to his wife and family.
 The first reading from Exodus speaks about us. Through our baptism, we are make a holy nation, a king, prophet and priest. We are asked to follow the Lord and keep his commandments. God forms us, corrects us and brings us close to Him. These are characteristics that we can attribute to a Father in a family.
Palm response: We are his people, the sheep of his flock – a nice image for a family.
The second reading from Romans: Jesus loved his Father and was willing to suffer, die and rise from the dead for our salvation. A father of a family gives himself for the love of his wife and children. I remember when my father died and my brother gave the eulogy. He said my Dad gave us an example what it means to honor, respect and love until death does us part.
Jesus calls each of us to follow him. He sends us out to share the good news. Jesus was concerned for his people. A father is called to guide, protect, care and be a good example for them to bring them into the Kingdom of God.As we honor our Fathers today living or deceased, let us pray for them to know the Father’s love for them.
There is a song called On Eagle’s Wings (see first reading) let us make it our prayer this Father’s Day.And he will raise you up on Eagle’s wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to share like the sun, and hold you in the palm of his hand. -Sr. Rose Ann


SOLEMNITY OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST

JUNE 11, 2023
Deut. 8: 2-3, 14b-16a Ps. 147: 12-13, 14-15, 19-20 I Cor. 10: 16-17 John 6:51-58 This Feast has a special significance for us as Sisters of St. Mary because it was begun by St. Julianne of Liege, Belgium. 50 years ago on this feast, we would process through the streets of the cities of Belgium, led by the Blessed Sacrament, and pray for all the peoples of the world and their needs. Now people are more apt to gather in adoration chapels to express their devotion to the eucharist. When I had the privilege of preparing children for First Communion, I was confronted with the fact that they did not like the taste or texture of the host. What to do to get them past that so they could accept Jesus’ desire to share his life with us in this way? I did find a prayer celebration that seemed to enrich their experience of eating “different” bread. After setting the table with a special cloth, candles, flowers, plates and napkins, the children were invited to sit at the table and to look at the different kinds of bread. There was pita, matzo, tortilla, rice cake, bagel, rye bread, hosts, etc. As each bread was held up by one of the children, we prayed for the people who ate that bread and then, in silence, we ate the bread. After praying with all the different kinds of bread, the children were invited to taste the host. The children could actually accept and appreciate this “special bread” which would become the body of Christ during the eucharistic prayer and in their living the way of Jesus. Context makes a difference. Experience makes a difference. St. Thomas in the hymn “Lauda Sion, tries to enhance our understanding and appreciation of the mystery of the Eucharist. Unfortunately, the translation is less than helpful. St. Paul simply says to the Corinthians and to us, that we become what we eat. In the Gospel passage, Jesus invites the Jews to “look beyond the bread you eat”. We who eat the bread of Christ and drink the cup become Christ and so we are invited to let ourselves be given to others, consumed by others in life-giving love and service. Isn’t that the key to life in today’s culture and in today’s world? We choose to want and to work for being bread for the world, a world of hunger.
 -Sr. Mary Laura Lesniak, ssmn

TRINITY SUNDAY

JUNE 3, 2023
Exodus 34:4b-6, 8-9 1 Cor. 13:11-13 John 3:16-18 Trinity Sunday is the feast that I think we are genuinely glad to welcome but at the same time, the depth of its meaning is hard to grasp. What does clearly surface, however, is the reality of relationships that is modeled for us in the Trinity of our godhead. In glimpses and in prayer we meet our God who is beyond our understanding yet wedded to the fiber of our being. In the first reading, God reinstates the covenant with Israel, after they worshipped a golden calf in the desert. God demonstrates to Israel that mercy, kindness, patience and faithfulness is the very nature of God. In the second reading from Corinthians, Paul suggests that God our Father extends grace to us, Jesus offers us love and the Holy Spirit binds human kind together in fellowship. The Gospel affirms that God gave the greatest gift to humankind in the person of His Son. The Son is described as doing the work of His Father.
I think that this comment from Saint Augustine on 1 John 4:7 gives an important emphasis on the meaning of God’s love: “This passage shows clearly and sufficiently how this brotherly/sisterly love that we love each other with is proclaimed on the highest authority not only to be from God but also simply to be God. When therefore we love our brother/sister out of love, we love our brother/sister out of God.” That is why the gift of true love is so very precious to us. We recognize that it is holy and it is a gift beyond our own capacity to give to another. The grace and power of God enables this love to exist among us. When we experience this love, our hearts are pierced with something so deep that it is difficult to put it into words. Love’s effect is the realization that it will last forever beyond this world. It is the mystery of God.
So for me, this feast is a call to be aware of the quality of our hearts, knowing that God designed our hearts according to his wisdom. Our hearts are made for God, for all humanity and all creation. It takes a lifetime to grow into the realization and the grace of what it means to receive and be a loving presence in our world. May our hearts be filled with immense joy in the presence of the mystery of our Triune God.
 - S. Catherine Taberski

SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

MAY 21, 2023
On this Seventh Sunday of Easter, we find ourselves, liturgically, in the time between the Ascension of Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Imagine yourself as one of Jesus’ disciples: dismayed and discouraged after the crucifixion, having your faith restored at the resurrection, and totally unsure of your future after the ascension. You know Jesus will not return, there will be no earthy kingdom, and you have been left with the mandate to go to Jerusalem to “wait for the promise of the Father,” and to be Christ’s witnesses “to the ends of the earth.” What does it all mean? The disciples returned to Jerusalem, probably not only because Christ had asked them to, but because it was where they had been staying, and where their friends were. There they and some others, including several women, “devoted themselves to prayer.” How human: to go to a safe “upper room”, be with those you know well and with whom you share your faith, and to pray together to discern God’s will. Psalm 27 – which is both the entrance psalm and the responsorial psalm – expresses what must have been the prayer of those in the room: “O Lord, hear my voice . . . hide not your face from me . . . You are my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid?” Their prayer was sustained by a singular focus: “One thing I ask of the Lord; this I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” How often in our own lives are we like the disciples in that upper room, seeking both comfort and guidance, and praying words similar to today’s Collect, that “we . . .may experience, as he promised, until the end of the world, his abiding presence among us”? The following prayer by a 19th century Anglican theologian, William Bright, echoes the same sentiment and might be our prayer when we seek refuge in our own ”upper room”: O God, grant us in all our doubts and uncertainties the grace to ask what you would have us do; that the spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path we may not stumble.

 -Regina Murphy, SSMN

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

MAY 14, 2023
Acts 8: 5-8, 14-17 Resp Psalm: Ps. 66: 1-3, 4-5, 6-7,16, 20 1 Peter 3: 15-18 John 14: 15-21 The readings of this Sunday can lead to some questions to ponder.What is Jesus saying in today’s Gospel? What does it mean to be an orphan? Who will love and guide me? Where do I go? What do I do now? The Gospel begins with “If you love me, you will keep my commandments…” Jesus has set before us leaving and coming. Presence and absence. We are being called to hold these in tension. Jesus is in our midst. Yet, Jesus will not leave us orphaned. We are called to live a life of love. Be assured that I will not leave you orphans. Like Philip in the first reading from Acts, we go out with the boldness of the Holy Spirit to our places of ministry and proclaim Christ. The Lord is calling us to generously respond to what it means to be disciples. Be ready to give an explanation of why you are hopeful. In the midst of our worn torn cities, people being displaced from their homes, the devastation of the earth, violence and hate, there are miracles happening. Unclean spirits are coming out of those with racial hatred. Drug addicts are telling their stories of being lifted from their paralysis. Those who are involved with human trafficking are finding shelters for life. Many paralyzed with racial and cultural diversity hate embrace in acts of love and forgiveness. The challenge before us remains. Yet, we believe that loving like Jesus did is a great cause for our joy. We have that blessed assurance that Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit. Yes, there are moments of life when changes, tragedies and abandonment can leave us feeling like orphans. The promise is coming and leaving. Presence and absence. We hold this grace that Jesus will not abandon us. This is cause for great rejoicing. -Sister Roberta Fulton, SSMN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqU_32v0R_I

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

MAY 7, 2023
The short passage from Acts in today’s liturgy reveals several important realities about our faith and our Church. Tensions rise, ministry becomes overwhelming, choices are made and unity is sought. The challenge presented in this passage is quite simple and human: how to distribute food fairly to the needy. Far from the high theological questions of Jesus’ humanity or Divinity, the early Church faced a problem of bias and equity. It is a marvel to then proceed with the Second Reading where the image of believers as living stones is offered. Called out of darkness into God’s wonderful light as a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people of praise, we are to offer spiritual sacrifices. In the practical example of Acts, the Apostles realized they could not remain the only ones in leadership of this ever-growing community. Their spiritual sacrifice was to share authority for the benefit of others. In an image of absolute inclusion, Jesus proclaims in today’s Gospel that there are many dwelling places in the house of God. Jesus goes to prepare a place of welcome for everyone in the house of God. Confusion and misunderstanding persist among the Apostles and throughout the history of the Church but the promise of Jesus as the way, the truth and the life is steadfast. With faith in Jesus, we have the courage to address inequities as we encounter them. With faith in Jesus, we can trust the inspiration of the Spirit to guide our decision-making. With faith in Jesus, we can hope for times of reconciliation, peace and unifying love among all peoples.
-Sister Lori High [email protected]

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

APRIL 30, 2023
Acts 2:14a, 36-41 Psalm 23 1Peter 2:20b-25 John 10:1-10
Today’s theme in all the readings is the Good Shepherd. He knows us my name and guides us always in our life. We are on a journey of 90 days. 40 days of Lent and 50 days until Pentecost. As we journey let us be aware of the presences of the Good Shepherd.
We belong to the Lord as Peter explains in the Acts of the Apostles. Once we are baptized, we are one with Him. We must lead a new life, follow the way of Jesus. We have received the Spirit of Christ and have become a new person in Christ.
Psalm 23 the Good Shepherd is familiar with all of us. As we walk this journey, he guides me in the right paths. Even though we might walk in a dark valley, I fear no evil for you are at my side.He spreads the Table before me in the sight of my foes. Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life. It truly is a refreshing and powerful psalm.
The gospel tells the story of the Good Shepherd who is the gate. He leads us and directs us in and out of the gate. There are times when we need to return to the fold to be nourished, take rest, be quiet and listen to the Lord. We must be replenished by the Lord in our journey to Pentecost so that we will be able to proclaim the Lord to all the world.
There is a story about a shepherd boy in Scotland who lived with his grandfather because his parents had died. The grandfather taught the boy many things in the bible as the boy could not read. The grandfather taught him in a simple way to remember five lovely words about the Good Shepherd from Psalm 23:1”the Lord is My shepherd.” He took the boy’s left hand’ and as he said each word he would point to a finger. The boy seemed to take special pleasure in the fourth word ‘My’, and held his fourth finger tightly. There was a snow storm and the grandfather went looking for the boy. He pushed away the snow and there he saw the little shepherd lad frozen to death. He noticed that his hand was firmly gripping the fourth finger of the left hand. There was no doubt that the finger the lad was holding stood for the word “My”.
Maybe we can say Psalm 22 this week and confirm that the Lord is truly My Shepherd.
 -Sr. Rose Ann

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

APRIL 23, 2023
Today’s Gospel reading tells the familiar story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. We hear that, even with a knowledgeable companion explaining the scriptures to them as they journeyed, it is not until the breaking of the bread that these two disciples are able to recognize Jesus. We know that as the story begins the two are conversing about the events of Good Friday and appear downcast. They admit to the stranger that they had been hoping in Jesus as the redeemer of Israel. They are debating about the news the women brought early in the morning that Jesus was alive. How could this be and what would this mean? If we were to use this story to assess our faith lives, we might gain some insight into our strengths and weaknesses. Traveling with a companion and welcoming others to join us along the way seem to be wise choices. Searching for the meaning of events is a process requiring effort and patience. God may reveal to us sometimes that we are foolish and slow of heart to believe. At other times, we find the courage to plead with God to stay with us. Our willingness to gather at the table with others is a key component of our faith life. The food that is Eucharist will open our eyes to Jesus, it will nurture the fire of faith within us and will bring us joy. Then, just as in the story, the moment of recognition may pass but the insights gained impel us outward to share the Good News with everyone!
-Sister Lori High [email protected]

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER

APRIL 16, 2023
Divine Mercy Sunday Gospel: St. John 20: 19-31
In today’s gospel account we find the disciples cowered behind locked doors, fearful that Jesus’ fate would be theirs. I can certainly sympathize with them, for I too have been behind a locked door, locked mind, locked heart on more than one occasion, fearing to step into the unkown.
How fitting that we name this Sunday: ‘Divine Mercy’. And where would any of us be without this gift of Jesus. He appears to these frightened men not uttering demeaning accusations, but speaking life-giving words: ‘Peace be with you’. He loves them! And stands before them to fill each one with hope and joy, bestowing his spirit. And even Thomas who is unsure to believe his companions, gets a special visit….for Jesus will not leave anyone behind.
While it seems astounding that Jesus, Son of God, would return a second time to help just one unbelieving disciple, yet what else would we expect? Do we not proclaim that our God is a God of unconditional love? He knew Thomas’ heart. He knows our hearts. He knew Thomas’ weaknesses. He knows our weaknesses. He is always ready to forgive, to heal, and to bestow his peace. We only need to humbly acknowledge like Thomas: ‘My Lord and My God’.
So let us take courage from this gospel and know that Jesus will return, and return, and return to us as often as we need, guiding us through those locked doors, locked minds, locked hearts. And ‘blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed’.
 -Sister Ann Marie Grasso

EASTER SUNDAY

APRIL 9, 2023
Mt 28:1-10
I chose to use the Gospel of the Easter Vigil for my reflection. We can notice that it’s all about the women… Jesus came to them, because they had been with him to the bitter end. And on this holy morning, He comes, but first there is an earthquake – as if to announce that something earth-shattering has taken place. Then an angel appears, rolls back the stone, and announces that Jesus isn’t there – he’s risen just as he’d said. The angel tells the women to come and see the place where he lay, and then go quickly and tell his disciples. As they go, Jesus comes himself to them. It’s as if he says to them: “See me! It is I.” They don’t even have to touch the wounds to believe. They know in their hearts that it is he – that he lives (not the theology, but the reality). Jesus is alive! And yes, they will go and tell his heartbroken brothers (Jesus specifically calls them his “brothers”). They will tell everyone – their hearts are so overjoyed.
The women are the perfect witnesses. There is no doubt or confusion. There is only faith, only conviction: “Jesus is alive!”
Easter is all about this certainty that Jesus lives, that he has not been conquered by the power of evil. Perhaps in our own lives, when we encounter evil, we need to be as convinced as the women were that Jesus is victorious and that evil does not win (in spite of appearances). What will it take for our hearts to experience that same conviction that the women have? We must prayerfully enter the Gospel reading, and allow our hearts to be touched by the words of the angel, the sight of the empty tomb, and finally the sight of Jesus himself. We must allow our hearts to experience the wonder of the resurrection, and be as overwhelmed as the women were. Then we too will be forced to go out and proclaim by our lives that Jesus lives. Such good news cannot be contained.
Let our hearts be gripped by the truth of today’s feast. JESUS LIVES – and nothing is the same. There is a Power that’s unleashed to change everything – or nothing (because it’s all up to us… There were many who were not touched and changed by the resurrection – that’s a sad fact.) It’s up to us whether we choose to believe and allow the truth to change us.
Let our hearts be open to all that God wants to touch and change in us. Let today’s celebration mark a new beginning. Let today truly be a resurrection day for each of us. Because Jesus lives, all can be made new. Because Jesus lives, any areas of unbelief in us can be transformed. We CAN share in the deep joy and faith of the women in today’s gospel. We can know without a doubt that Jesus lives, and that nothing is the same. Power is unleashed when we believe. The devil trembles and the angels sing. Then we too can join their festive dance, and no one will be able to silence our song: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

 -Sr. Patrice Yarborough

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

MARCH 26, 2023
Ezekiel 37:12-14 Psalm 129 Romans 8: 8-11 John 11: 1-45 What Wondrous Love Is This… One night when I was Pastoral Administrator in SC, I received a call that a Catholic woman was dying at the hospital and wanted to be anointed. Our priest who lived an hour away was out of town. So, I went to the hospital myself with the Oil of the Sick. The woman, Margaret, had had severe heart pains while she was visiting her daughter. When I entered Margaret’s room, I found her very distraught. She knew she was dying and wanted to make peace with her children and near relatives. Her daughter called her siblings and, in a matter of hours, they came from Alaska, California, Texas, and Missouri! Margaret called her brother and made peace with him also after many years of estrangement. She was finally at peace. When I returned a few hours later in the morning, Margaret was being moved out of ICU to a room. Everyone was amazed. The doctors felt that she would recover in a short period of time! Her reaction: anger. She had “wasted all that energy” making peace and probably would have to do it all over again!Today’s Gospel passage begins “a certain man was sick”. Knowing Jesus’ compassion for the sick, we might expect that he would go immediately to cure the person. Not so in this case. The “certain man”, Lazarus (God is my help) was a dear friend of Jesus as were Lazarus’ sisters. Each of them had a special relationship with Jesus. We are astonished as were Jesus’ disciples that Jesus chooses not to go to be with his friends at this time of deep sorrow. Waiting three days according to Jewish custom assured that the person was really dead. Jesus’ action was not a denial of their request. He does things according to the timing and will of God. There is enough time for everything that needs to be done.Jesus’ separate conversations with the two sisters allows each of them to declare their faith in him and in life after death. They did not see that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life here and now. This is an invitation to them (and to us) to believe. When Jesus comes to the tomb of Lazarus, he weeps quietly but he was in truth deeply grieved, angry at the power of death. Jesus prays at Lazarus tomb with the voice of the Son: “Father, I thank you that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that you sent me.” Some of the people did believe in him when Lazarus was resuscitated but others went to the Pharisees to further take steps toward the destruction of Jesus. But “his hour had not come.”Like Margaret, we can be tempted to miss the experiences of death and resurrection in our daily lives as evidence of God’s presence, even now, recreating us in love. “What wondrous love is this…” that by the death and resurrection of Jesus, we are loved by God into eternal life, we live in God.
Sr. Mary Laura Lesniak, ssmn

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

MARCH 19, 2023
The Gospel of John 9: 1-41
The 1st Book of Samuel tells us that “the Lord looks into the heart” and St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians tells us that we must “live as children of light”. Then, as we plunge into the gospel of John we encounter the man born blind. People of that time believed that if you were blind you had certainly sinned and that was your punishment. But the book of Samuel tells us that the Lord looks into the heart and and only God knows the heart. None of us can remotely pretend to know what is going on in someone’s heart and that person’s relationship with God, for the Old Testament tells us that “God is greater than our hearts and knows all things.” That is why we can never judge another person or another person’s life.
Jesus tells those listening that he is the light of the world. All throughout this gospel, the Pharisees try to trip up the once blind man and his parents and get them to say that Jesus is a sinner and that perhaps this once blind man was never really blind. How hard it is for so many of us to accept something miraculous that we cannot rationally explain. We try to grind it into the ground with doubts, endless questioning and disbelief. So often it is to the simple of heart that miraculous things happen, because it is they who more easily accept, give thanks and begin to praise God for the gift of whatever it is they have received. So much faith and acceptance exists among the simple of heart…those who are single-hearted, God-oriented, open to the God of surprises.
Where do we fit into this gospel? Are we blind? Are we judgmental and critical, disbelieving? Are we ready to welcome into our hearts the light of the world and be radiant with a light we can’t explain but that we can accept? Would we rather stumble around in this world because we choose not to see, or would we rather open our hearts, minds and lives and let in the Light?
 -Sr Patricia Brady

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

MARCH 5, 2023
Today’s Gospel reading from St. Matthew tells of the Transfiguration of Jesus. This monumental event is noted each year on the Second Sunday of Lent and again on August 6th. Few things in our Liturgical year receive such a distinction. It is an indication that wise people of faith decided that the message here should not be missed and that it will benefit the faithful by repetition. Situated on this Second Sunday of Lent with readings from Genesis and Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy, an overwhelming theme emerges that God has a plan; a Divine design that is unfolding as intended. While our human perception often sees only chaos and mystery, we are told “to go forth”; we are “called to a holy life”; and we are instructed to “Rise, and not be afraid.” Clearly, God intends to be involved in our lives despite our human foibles and limitations. The Transfiguration of Jesus is a clear source for our often-referenced concept of a “mountaintop experience.” The ones overwhelmed here are the disciples of Jesus, not Jesus himself. In Jesus, the Divine and the human are one, so this rift allowing Jesus to converse with Moses and Elijah is possible for Jesus. By leading his disciples to this mountain top, Jesus exposed them to the unheard of truth that the Word had become flesh. More than a distant Creator, Jesus - true God and true man - walked among us. For Peter, James and John this vision of Jesus transfigured must have cemented their faith, inspired their hope and fueled their courage to preach the Good News. While temporarily confused by their experience, they had been granted a moment of sure knowledge that would sustain their faith in God’s love and presence no matter what. During our Lenten reflections, perhaps we can recall our moments of sure knowledge in God’s love; the mountaintop experiences that cement our faith. These times may be rare, perhaps singular, but drawing them back into our consciousness brings us back to that time of heightened awareness of our loving God being involved in our lives. -Sister Lori High [email protected]

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

FEBRUARY 26, 2023
It is the first Sunday of Lent and today’s readings are all about the temptations of Satan, our need for the mercy of God, and the salvation that came through Jesus Christ. We are reminded in the first reading from Genesis of the original sin in the Garden of Eden, and the Gospel tells the story of Jesus praying and fasting for forty days in the desert when, at his weakest, he is tempted by Satan. We are plunged immediately into the somber season of penitence and sacrifice, and we find ourselves thinking of ways to be penitential, usually asking ourselves what we can “give up” for Lent.
Ironically, though, Lent has also been referred to as the “Spring-time of the Church.” Spring is a beautiful season, full of hope and promise. To think of Lent as the Spring-time of the Church is to remind ourselves that we need to look beyond the “giving up” to what we look to become. Human beings are constantly being tempted just as Jesus was. When Jesus was hungry, Satan offered bread, symbolic of all that satisfies our human needs. We can certainly reject indulging ourselves with food, drink, and human comforts, but do we at the same time find ways to share food, water, blankets, clothing, etc. with people who have less than we have? Jesus was tempted to prove himself God, just as the human ego is tempted to exercise superiority over others, or to focus on self-serving desires. Even if we reject false pride and great ambitions, do we put the needs of others above our own and do we enable and encourage the empowerment of others? Satan finally tempted Jesus with all the wealth and power in the world. We may know of many who might seek the same, and some who have actually acquired it. What is important is that economic and political power need to be used for what is good and true and just.
 In the Spring, a farmer prepares his fields for planting, He clears them of rock and brush; he plows and fertilizes his land. But his end-in-view is not to leave the land barren, but to plant it with seeds that will grow to produce a harvest, a harvest to benefit more than himself. During this Spring-time of the Church, what seeds of virtue will we plant in the fallow field of our hearts? As fresh life springs up from the earthLike garden’s promise in Spring,So shall God make justice and peaceSpring up before all the nations. (Isaiah 61:11) -Regina Murphy, SSMN

SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

FEBRUARY 19, 2023
Lev 19:1-2, 17-18 1 Cor 3: 16-23 MT 3:38-48
Yahweh proclaims: “Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy.” And that holiness is defined mainly by how we treat one another. Both Leviticus and the gospel give negative examples of how not to treat one another, but what today’s scripture really asks us is to LOVE. “Then you will truly be children of your Father in heaven.”
What a calling! We are asked to see situations and people as God does, so that we can act as he would. Yes, if only we could see with God’s eyes… See the hurt and wounds in others and not just their actions; see the deepest desires of their hearts; see their longing for God, for love and for forgiveness. If only we had eyes to see as God sees, and hearts to truly love what we see. If only…
Yet that IS what God wants for us, for each of us. What a different world this would be, if only… God WANTS us to see as he sees, and to be changed by what we see. Any coldness in our hearts would have to melt. We would want what God wants for others.
And we WOULD be changed. Seeing as God sees would have such a deep effect on us, that we would love what we see, love the possibilities. And yes, also love the repentance, the desire to become what God calls each of us to be. We would love the struggles; love the baby steps; love the desire in them. If only we could have eyes to see as God sees, then all else would follow… If only…
Yet that IS what God longs to give us, if we only ask, if we only value it. Then we would truly be children of our Father in heaven. We would mirror everything about him. And this world would become what Jesus desired it to be, what he came for, suffered for, died for and rose for. And as he sits at the right hand of his Father, they would both be filled with joy. We would then join the multitudes in their great song of rejoicing. All this, if only we had eyes to see as God sees... -Sr. Patrice Yarborough

SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

FEBRUARY 12, 2023
Sirach 15:15-20        1Corinthians 2:6-10     Matthew 5:17-37
Choices are a part of life, as in the first reading in Sirach. “Choose life over death, good over evil, fire over water “Choose the commandments or not, God doesn’t force us because He gave us a free will. God calls for our love and respect.
Laws and rules are different. Laws are considered more rigid, whereas rules are more lenient. But both are to maintain peace and order in society. The psalm response: “Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord.” In the Gospel, Jesus comes to fulfill the law. We just had a few weeks ago the Beatitudes which show are to bring the law to perfection.
In 1994, I started a school for kids from the street who couldn’t go to school in the Dominican Republic. The kids were from 10-13 years of age. I had two rules as my Spanish wasn’t that great. 1. No fighting 2. Listen. Well, the first week into school (there were 30 boys and girls), one of the boys started to fight. I sent him home and said that he couldn’t come back for a week. Every day when I let the others in, he begged to let him come in. I said no. He cried outside the school until the kids went home. The other kids even tried to talk to me to let him in but I said no. When he was let in the following week, he was so good that I even couldn’t remember his name years later. He came back years later with four others to say thank you. He and the others were in College. The school lasted 20 years and there was never a discipline problem.Let us look upon laws and rules to bring about peace and order in our world. Reflection: what rules and laws do you keep and why?
                                                         - Sister Rose Ann

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

FEBRUARY 5, 2023
Matthew 5: 13-16
Some time ago I was told a story about a little boy who was afraid to be in the dark at bedtime. Each and every night his mother tried her best to reassure him that there was nothing to fear for God was watching over and protecting him. On one such night, perhaps to be better understood, the child responded to his mothers’ plea, exclaiming: ‘I know that God is with me mom! But I need to see some skin!’
Isn’t that part of what discipleship is all about….showing others that God is truly present…being that ‘skin’ for God so that his unconditional love, compassion, and forgiveness is tangible, is seen and felt in this world? Jesus said: ‘to have seen me is to have seen the Father’. And what do others see in us who bear the name ‘Christian’?
We are called to be salt…we are to enhance others. We are called to be light…to shine for others. The message of these metaphors is that who we are as disciples always finds its deepest meaning in who we are in relationship to God and others. As salt and light are no good in themselves, so it is also true that what we do is measured by our relationship to others. Discipleship is for the sake of others.
Who else desperately needs to ‘see some skin’ this week? Will we commit ourselves to being salt and light for her or him?

 -Sister Ann Marie Grasso


FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

JANUARY 29, 2023
Zeph 2:3; 3:12-13 1 Cor 1:26-31 Ps 46 Matt 5:1-12a
A common thread weaves through all the readings today. Zephaniah promises: “I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, who will take refuge in the Lord…” He uses the key word "anawim," which means the “poor ones” who remained faithful to God in times of difficulty. These humble people became known as the “faithful remnant.”
St. Paul says to us, “consider your own calling… not many of you were wise by human standards, … not powerful, of noble birth” – from the moment of God’s call we were poor and lowly. We are to remember who we are and not pretend to be more than that. This should create a union with our humble brothers and sisters, for we are all called to be among the anawim.
When Jesus begins teaching the people, he gives us the Beatitudes. The blessedness of each group mentioned comes from their being humble and faithful in times of difficulty. So they are also examples of the anawim: those poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the clean of heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted…. We are all called to be the Blessed Ones.
Each of the readings today poses this challenge. As we journey together to become who we are called to be, I am reminded of St. Francis of Assisi, saying that
 “One blind beggar shows another blind beggar where the bread is.”
We lead each other and help one another, finding a way to be true to ourselves and to our calling. Together we are fed, entering more fully into the spirit of the faithful remnant and the Blessed Ones of the gospel today.
God is always with us as we journey – may we always find new ways to be true to God’s call to be the poor ones, and may we freely share that insight with others.

 -Sr. Corinne Yarborough

THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

JANUARY 22, 2023
Isaiah 8:23-9:3 Psalm 27: 1, 4, 13-14 I Corinthians 1:10-13, 17 Matthew 4:12-23 A Mission Call in Three Acts ACT 1: The Context John the Baptist has been arrested. The forces of darkness are at work.Jesus withdraws to Galilee, just as Mary and Joseph had to flee with him from Herod. He goes to the two provinces at the extreme ends of the kingdom of David: Zebulun and Naphtali, the boondocks. Provinces far from the so-called religious purity of Jerusalem, considered “unclean” and corrupt by their contacts with Gentiles, intermarriages and worship of other gods.Why here of all places? The prophecy of Isaiah is now fulfilled. For the people who sit in darkness, the light has now come. What is the condition for living in light? Jesus calls the people to a complete turnaround of their lives. Nothing less, nothing more. ACT 2: The Personal Call Jesus has a mission. Part of his mission is to call disciples. The immediate responses of Peter and Andrew, and James, son of Zebedee, and his brother, John, to follow Jesus and to adapt their skills as fishermen to fishing for people of faith is startling. Was it the simple poverty of their lives that prepared Peter and Andrew, and the two brothers, James and John, to be open to the call of God in Jesus? How amazed the father of James and John must have been to witness the prompt response of his sons to the call of Jesus! Surely, they had learned from childhood on how to be attentive to God…. How will they transfer the skills they have as fishermen to be those who witness to God’s call to life in Jesus? Would I leave my parents and family, would I leave my primary livelihood, would I leave my way of life to respond to Jesus’ call to follow? Can you hear Whoopi Goldberg in Sister Act singing “I will follow him, follow him where he may go. There ain’t no mountain high enough, there ain’t no river deep enough, to keep me away, to keep me away.” This call is serious. Act 3: The Signs of the Mission of Jesus Teaching, preaching, healing are parts of the daily rhythm of life of Jesus and, presumably, of his disciples. The reign of God is a new creation. The reign of God is present now. For Reflection:Where is the darkness in my life and in the lives of those around me?What is Jesus calling me to become today?Where do I see the signs of God’s transforming love? -Sr. Mary Laura Lesniak

NATIVITY OF THE LORD

DECEMBER 25, 2022 CHRISTMAS
God Come To Us 1st Reading: Isaiah 62: 11-12, 2nd Reading: 2 Titus 3: 4-4, Gospel: Luke 2:15-20 The readings for this Sunday speak about God’s generous love. Today, all the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. God’s people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. The shepherds, angels and the three kings give glory to God. A savior who is Christ the Lord has been born. All were amazed at the “Star in the East” pointing the way to the newborn king.Mary’s yes was a faith that still tells the glory of God. Mary kept all these things reflecting on them in her heart. The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. Let us go tell it everywhere that Jesus Christ is born.In conclusion, I share with you this reflection from “Give Us This Day”. Blessed Christmas!
 -Sister Roberta Fulton
 … “the king of glory comes, the nation rejoices; open the gates before Him, lift up your voices.” This hymn echoes today’s Responsorial Psalm, which is a hinge for the readings from Isaiah and Luke. The prophet Isaiah ask Ahaz the king to open his heart by asking God for a sign; but, even though his response sounds respectful –“I will not tempt the Lord” – Ahaz is disdainful of God. Isaiah chides Ahaz for wearying both the people and God, prophesying that a virgin will conceive and bear a son, who will be named Emmanuel. Mary has every reason to doubt the message of Gabriel. Angelic visitations and non-conjugal conceptions by unmarried teenage women are not standard fare-won’t win you points with the sanity monitors past or present. It just isn’t the way the world works. And yet, Mary opens the portals of her heart to let in the king of glory – spiritually and physically. She goes deep, beyond her doubts and fears, to trust the message and purpose of God. “May it be done to me according to your word.” God comes to us, also – more often than we are aware – asks us to trust, to listen, to ponder, to act, to birth the Word and bear Him into the world. We are forever challenged by that question of Meister Eckhart: “What good is it if Mary is full of grace, if we are not also full of grace? And what good is it if Mary is the Mother of God, if we are not also the mothers of God?” Open your heart to the Lord today. He is the king of glory!" Fr. John Meoska John Meoska, OSB, is a monk of Saint John’s Abbey and an avid woodworker. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ruGHkSWX84

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

DECEMBER 18, 2022
Isaiah 7:10-14 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-24
The 4th Sunday of Advent always speaks about Mary. There are also two things that the readings talk about, namely, signs and dreams. Many of us are very familiar with theses two things. I know myself, I’m always looking for signs to make the right decision or do this action or that one. I guess sometimes we read the sign right but other times we are way off the track.
Isaiah was a little nervous, I think, because he didn’t want the to ask God for a sign. He seems to back off a bit. However God desires to give him a sign: "the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel." Emmanuel which means “the presence of God in the world at our side.”
The letter to the Romans gives us a lay out of the two aspects Paul wishes us to know, namely the humanity and divinity of Jesus. The Incarnation is the basis of all the theology of Salvation.
All of us dream but many of us don’t remember them for some reason. I have taken a few courses on dreams but am no expert nor do I tell people that I had theses courses. I have found for myself that most of the time, my dreams are a rehash of the day. I don’t take the time to do anything about them.But at certain times when water or swimming or even drowning come up, I have taken to recall certain situations or events that have taken me deeper into myself. Theses times are precious because it takes me to a deeper insight in my life.I can relate to Joseph who didn’t wish to expose her to shame. He listened to the angel and took Mary into his house.
So as we begin the last week of Advent let us pay attention to the signs and dreams that the Lord desires to speak to us this week. Happy Blessed week of Advent.
 -Sr. Rose Ann Cappola

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

DECEMBER 11, 2022
One of the financial supporters for public television (Viking Cruises) makes the point in its advertisement that “The one thing we don’t have enough of is time.” It goes on to suggest how we should use our time: travelling the world to learn about other people and other cultures. We are currently amid a sacred time, the time of Advent. How should we use this time?
For us, Advent is a time of waiting. Actually, we spend much of our lifetime waiting. We wait in doctors’ offices, check-out lines, TSA lines. We wait for a diagnosis, cessation of pain, the birth of a child, the visit of loved-ones. Some wait to find employment, to qualify for disability, to be granted asylum, or simply to live in peace.
 With limited time, and with so much waiting, how can we make the best of this time, especially the time of Advent? Today’s readings point the way. The first reading from the prophet Isaiah is a beautiful look into the future, when God will come again to save his people. Even “the parched land will exult . . . will bloom with abundant flowers . . . and all will see the glory of the Lord. Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared . . .the tongue of the mute will sing.” In light of what is to come, Isaiah encourages the people of God to “be strong and fear not.” The waiting should be a joyful time.
 In the second reading from the letter of Saint James, he gives the advice that we so often give to those who wait: “Be patient.” He also makes some suggestions to help bolster patience: “Make your hearts firm . . . do not complain.” While James suggests that the Christians of his day should emulate the prophets who endured hardships patiently, the Gospel holds up John the Baptist as the example of one with patient faith, preparing the way of the Lord. He is the messenger sent by God to prepare the way before him. In many ways, John’s calling is ours, too. How are we preparing the way for the Lord’s second coming?
In every Eucharistic liturgy we pray that the Lord will deliver us from evil, and grant us peace and safety from all distress, “as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.” Our waiting is a time of joyful anticipation, a time to unite ourselves with Christ in doing our part to strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, and to encourage those whose hearts are frightened.
The theologian Paul Tillich wrote that “All time, both history and in personal life, is expectation. Time itself is waiting, waiting not for another time, but for that which is eternal.”
-Regina Murphy, SSMN

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

DECEMBER 4, 2022
Matthew 3: 1-12
This gospel is filled with imagery that brings to it both color and concreteness. Here we have John described as a kind of wild man who wears clothing made of camel’s hair and eats locusts and wild honey. Truly he was a man of the desert.
Have you ever seen a desert? On my very first trip to Chile, South America, the route taken to Santiago from Bolivia was by flying from the north down, hence, over the Atacama Desert. I was struck by its barrenness and bleakness. The desert is truly a place of testing and purification where one must learn daily to live by wisdom or perish by folly.
John was a man whose life was stripped down to the essentials and his vision unclouded by non-essentials. His message is clear: God is close, nearer than we think and we must seize the opportunity of his presence. We must repent.
The repentance John speaks of is not a weak feeling sorry for sins or regrets about what has happened. It’s a real radical change of heart and an interior rending of what is deepest within us. Furthermore, it must be concrete and visible: ‘Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance’. The way of the Lord is: justice, truth, peace, charity. We repent when we prepare that way in our hearts.
John’s message is an appeal to his contemporaries, especially the Pharisees and Sadducees, to open their eyes to the present moment. In one sense, every day is already the beginning of the end time. And we do not know when our individual end time is. We only have the present to live our lives faithfully, and to change our own hearts and minds.
In practical terms, I hear John saying to me: Now is the time to make things right with someone I am at odds with; now is the time to tell someone I love them; now is the time to shower others with dignity and respect; now is the time to visit that person who has been on my list for weeks or to make a phone call I have been avoiding. What do you hear John saying to you?
May the Lord help us and guide us in responding to the ‘now’.
 -Sister Ann Marie Grasso

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

NOVEMBER 27, 2022
Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalm 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 Romans 13: 11-14 Matthew 24: 37-44 “From this day on, nothing will be the same…” I have just returned from Belgium after six months there so my body is still trying to adjust to the time change. It calls for some real adaptation. On this Sunday, the First Sunday of Advent, the Church begins a new year in the eternal time of God. The readings are a kind of alarm clock that will not stop ringing until they get our attention. The first reading from the Prophet Isaiah invites one and all to climb up the steps to the Lord’s dwelling, to the Lord’s everlasting Temple to make a new beginning there. God will instruct us in the ways of God. Think about that. God will instruct us. Who is this “us”? Yes, the “Chosen People”, but not only descendants of Abraham and Sarah, but all of us from every race and nation and people. What a shock it must have been for observant Jews to hear that all people were invited to the house of the Lord. Everyone… The condition for responding to this invitation is that we lay down our defenses, our weapons of steel and word, our weapons of prejudice and self-absorption. Live the way of the Lord. The Psalm is one of the joyful Gradual Psalms sung on the steps of the Temple by pilgrims coming for one of the great Jewish feasts. What will help us to catch our breath as we climb the steps of the Temple? What will be our song of joy in the Lord on this day? In Paul’s Letter to the Romans, he insists on the importance of this time. This is no ordinary time. It is the time when God is calling us to “listen up” and to “stay on the path”. What “works of darkness” is the Lord calling me to bring into the Light of the Word? What works of darkness is the Lord calling us to bring into the Light of the Word? And not just to bring them into the Light, but to let them be purified, cauterized by the power of the Word of Transforming Love. Christ it is who will give us the strength. Christ will be our strength in detaching ourselves personally, communally, nationally and internationally from our “human made-in-our-likeness” idols. The excerpt from the Gospel according to Matthew gives us an “end of the world” image going back to the story of Noah and the flood. The writer of the Gospel tells us that Noah and the people “did not know until the flood carried them all away.” In these days when we are called to synodality by Pope Francis, called to listen to others especially those people who are suffering on the margins, we can “know” in real time what it means to be saved by the poor and suffering Christ. This can only happen if we open our eyes and our hearts to God’s coming in unexpected ways… “Stay awake, be ready, you do not know the hour when the Lord is coming. Stay awake, be ready the Lord is coming soon!” “From this day on, nothing will be the same…”
 -Sr. Mary Laura Lesniak

THIRTY-FOURTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

NOVEMBER 20, 2022 CHRIST THE KING
2 Sam 5: 1-3 Col 1:12-20 Lk 23:35-43
Today’s Feast names Jesus our “King of Kings, and Lord of Lords” (as Handel’s “Alleluia Chorus” acclaims). In the Gospels of all 3 cycles for this Feast, there is a focus not only on Jesus, but also on those who choose to follow him: those who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb, who have been purified, and who now bear his mark on their foreheads. They are now invited to follow him in the grand procession into the eternal Banquet.
In today’s Gospel (for Year C), Luke 23 tells the story of the 2 thieves crucified with Jesus. Both are guilty of grave offenses, and both deserve the punishment they are receiving. Yet the story reminds us that hearts can change… One is closed to the truth about Jesus, and joins his voice to the chorus of derision and their own self-destruction. The other thief miraculously recognizes in Jesus the embodiment of love and mercy, and he longs to be a part of that reality, in spite of his unworthiness. Jesus does not hesitate to promise him that his heart’s deepest desire will be granted. He and others like him will be welcome there – will be welcome in his kingdom.
The Feast of Christ the King is celebrated at the end of the Church year as the culmination of our understanding of who Jesus is. Yes, he was always the gentle shepherd who nursed the wounded in search of true peace. But at the end of time, Jesus will assume his role as Lord: the One who gave his life for his sheep, and now calls those who have been faithful to receive their eternal reward. God always intended that no one ever be excluded from his banquet – the choice was always left to us, and no one was ever forced to follow the Lamb. This scene with the 2 thieves embodies that decision: how will each of them react to this third man condemned to die with them? It is their time to ratify their stance before the Lamb who gave his life for each of them.
In this Feast, we celebrate the Lamb, although slain, who still lives, and who finally reigns. He alone is worthy to be worshipped. God’s victory over evil is final and is visible for all to see. And the Church rejoices ecstatically. If we have eyes to see the great procession now forming behind Jesus, will our own hearts be as free as the heart of the good thief to let go of everything that hinders us, and race to join him? Will we allow Jesus to take our hand and accompany us, to lift us up when we fall, and to carry us whenever necessary? Will we allow him to be the One who sustains us and strengthens us, who feeds us and heals us, who loves us into existence every step of the way?
This man whom we call the good thief made that choice against all odds. He decided to acknowledge this man Jesus, condemned along with him, as his King! He wanted Jesus to remember him when he arrived in his kingdom. He may have not fully understood what he’d asked for, but Jesus knowingly promised him much more – that on that very day he would be with him in his kingdom… After probably a lifetime of sin, this man had made a decision for Jesus that changed everything. The only thing that matters at the moment of our personal End Time is that we’ve decided that we want to be on the side of this broken and bleeding King, this Lamb slain to bring salvation to ALL of us. The only thing that matters is whom we have decided to follow, and whom we want to give our allegiance to. Is it the King of Kings and Lord of Lords – or someone else? Something else? The choice is ours…
-S Patrice Yarborough

THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

NOVEMBER 13, 2022
Luke 21: 5-19
Today’s Gospel could cause the strongest among us to shake with fear. At first glance there doesn’t seem to be anything encouraging or really hopeful in the message before us. It resembles what we have been seeing and still see in our world today: the war in Ukraine which seems unending, the terrible destruction from hurricanes coming one after the other, forest fires destroying God’s creation of life of all kinds, people starving in Africa and other parts of the world, our country’s political divisions and anger which pit people and families against one another. We can wonder if it will ever end and if it does, how?
Yet, we can’t forget the part of the gospel where Jesus reminds us he will be there in the middle of everything, protecting us as long as we persevere. If we have faith we will not be destroyed. I understand this to mean that even if there is suffering and death, destruction and evil in our world, we will not be “destroyed”, meaning that is not the end for us if we believe. Because there is the gift of eternal life on the other side of all of this; Eternal life and love which wait for those who persevere and believe and hope in what is good and beautiful. They will not be destroyed because they taste death. All of the evil and the destruction will only be the gateway to real and unending life. So, “death be not proud”, Jesus promises eternal life. You, death are not the end. Jesus came that we may “have life and have it in abundance”. What more could we hope for?
 -Sr. Patricia Brady

THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

NOVEMBER 6, 2022
In today’s readings we are called to embrace our faith. In fact, to hold it so closely that we would be willing to die for it. The faith that we are to embrace so whole-heartedly is in the promise of a life beyond this earthly realm. The existence of a spiritual realm where we dwell with God who is All in All. There is no physical, scientific proof that such a Divine reality exists but centuries of time and countless generations of people have assented to its reality. From minds and hearts pondering life and death, blessings and curses, joys and sadness the belief grows that there must be something more. How this becomes named or expressed has varied across cultures and times. We Christians trust that Jesus is the ultimate revelation of Divine reality. The Son of God, sojourning for a brief time as a human on this earth, exposed the unlimited love of God through his life, death and resurrection. What humans have called the chains of death are broken by Christ’s resurrection. Our true home is with God once we have crossed the threshold of death opened wide by Jesus. Relying on his Hebrew tradition, Jesus spoke to the naysayers of his time by invoking the great patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to instruct his hearers that God is a God of the living, not of the dead. We believe that in God all are alive. God is the source of all life, the sustainer of all life and our eternal resting place. Our faith depends on this hope for what is not yet seen. May we lovingly nurture our own faith and, whenever possible, creatively inspire deeper faith in others.

 -Sister Lori High [email protected]

THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

OCTOBER 30, 2022
Our scriptures today are consistently positive in theme. The Book of Wisdom offers a “big picture” call to trust in the goodness of God’s design. Our Psalm sings the praise of God’s glory. The Thessalonians are receiving a message of great encouragement from St. Paul in the second reading. Our Gospel story tells of Jesus encountering Zacchaeus, a story in which the love and providence of God for us takes center stage.
These scriptures can be a source of hope for all of us in times when difficulties seem overwhelming. Challenging our narrow focus on an immediate problem, the “big picture” perspective of the Wisdom reading can calm our inner turbulence. The promise that God will lift up the falling and raise up the bowed down is the assurance sung by the Psalmist. St. Paul reminds his audience not to be shaken up or alarmed by reports contrary to the Gospel message; Jesus is Lord of heaven and earth!
Our Gospel reveals that the desire of Zacchaeus to see Jesus led him to move outside his comfort zone for a moment. The result of this courageous choice was a life changing encounter with the Lord. Jesus’ declaration that he “has come to seek and to save what was lost” seals the message of salvation for Zacchaeus. This message is for us as well.
Sister Lori High [email protected]

THIRTIETH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

OCTOBER 23, 2022
Oct. 23, 2022 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
 I enjoy St. Luke’s Gospel! The opening line in this week’s Gospel passage states that Jesus is addressing those who are convinced of their own righteousness and despise everyone else. Humanly, we are hardwired to compare ourselves with others. However, this is not what Jesus is concerned about here. Rather, Jesus is calling out the judgmental attitude which brings the Pharisee to pray, “O God, I thank you that I amnot like the rest of humanity.” (Luke 18:11). The Book of Sirach begins our Liturgy of the Word today with the proclamation that “The Lord is a God of justice, who knows no favorites.” (Sirach 35:12) God, as Creator, knows the inherent dignity and value of all things. Made in the image and likeness of God, humans are especially endowed with an equality of worth in God’s eyes. This is why Jesus so clearly points out that the humble sinner is in better relationship with God than the self-righteous religious leader. It is a cautionary tale by which we would be wise to assess ourselves with some regularity. The second reading today allows us to hear a bit of St. Paul’s self-assessment. He is careful to remain focused on himself. He avoids the temptation to exalt himself over others. He trusts in God’s love and mercy.
-Sister Lori High [email protected]

TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

OCTOBER 16, 2022
Reflection on the Parable of the Persistent Widow 1st Reading: Exodus 17: 8-13, 2nd Reading: 2 Timothy 3: 14- 4:2, Gospel: Luke 18: 1-8 The readings for this Sunday speak about faith, perseverance, persistence and the necessity to pray always. The first reading from Exodus gives a vivid picture of how perseverance and solidarity won the battle for Moses and the Israelites. “Moses’ hands grew tired; so they put a rock in place for him to sit on.” “Aaron and Hur supported Moses hands.” In the second reading we hear, “Be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand and encourage through all patience and teaching.”The courage and boldness of the widow in the Gospel is a testimony of faith. She moved beyond the fear of being called a pest. After asking again and again for the unjust judge to render a just decision on her behalf, she took the matter into her hands. She was steadfast and unrelenting in asking. We’re told that through her persistence, she got the judge’s attention. The Judge acknowledged that he didn’t have the fear of God nor any respect of any human being. However, because the widow kept bothering him, he decided to “deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.” Perhaps the judge saw her as a troublemaker. Was this decision to silence her? Perhaps it was to keep her from being recognized like the other widows before her such as Tamar, Ruth and Naomi. Whatever his intention, the Lord intervenes and ask that we pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. “Will God secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night…” I tell you he will see to it that justice is done for them.” “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth.?”Alice Walker, the African American poet has a wonderful line: “Everything that the world really needs is too big for individuals to give.” In these days, we minister in varied ways. Each ministry is needed. We need one another’s persistence, courage, perseverance and faith. We need one another so that like Moses, Hur and the widow we can answer amen. Like Servant of God, Sister Thea Bowman and St. Therese of Lisieux again and again we pray and ask for the grace to be of service. The widow didn’t become weary. We must be committed to the work of justice. In times like these there will be days that we feel weary. Yet, we go forward in raising our voices, hands and hearts against the injustices all around us and throughout the world. The Lord will find faith on the earth. We can act justly and walk humbly with God in the midst of the complexity. The message of this parable is Jesus’ invitation to pray without becoming weary. We are to be as bold and courageous as the widow when we encounter injustice.
 -Sister Roberta Fulton https://youtu.be/a9Pq_ssR4sI

TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

OCTOBER 9, 2022
2 Kings 5: 14-17 Luke 17:11-19
Today, both the reading from 2 Kings and the gospel reading from Luke speak about journeys, and how people set out in faith. Naaman comes to Elisha; the 10 lepers come to Jesus, and then go to the priests. They come asking for help, for empathy – for someone to care enough to do something.
To better understand the story of Naaman, it helps to read the entire chapter 5 of 2 Kings. There we see that he is an army commander, someone with authority. Yet he listens to his wife’s slave girl (an Israelite and a woman) when she suggests going to Elisha. The fact that she is not afraid to speak up indicates that he has a good relationship with the people who serve him and his family. So he sets out on his journey.
What follows is a wonderful story of human reaction. Elisha sent a messenger and does not come himself to meet Naaman. Naaman is indignant. He expected Elisha to come out to meet him, wave his hand over the spot – and even asks later, “Is not our water better than any water in Israel?”
Again, it is the servants who speak up – and he listens and changes his mind. What humility this shows on Naaman’s part. He then went and bathed 7 times in the river Jordan and was cured.
In the gospel story Jesus says, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” On the way they were cleansed. They had already left on their journey to see the priests and had left in blind faith. They were not yet cured when they departed. Thus it was clearly an act of faith for them to leave the presence of Jesus.
We know that our life is a journey, and that we are always looking for signs. The faith of these 10 men is great precisely because there were no signs of healing when they embarked. That is what real faith is. That is what marks a person of faith: someone who is able to embark, to begin the journey, even when there is absolutely no sign of the fulfillment of their hope and prayer.
We are often so afraid that we want at least a small sign. Fear can stop us from even beginning the journey when that sign is lacking. It is extraordinary to see the lepers begin, leave Jesus, with as yet no visible change (no sign of a cure).
So what will it take – to overcome fear – to begin taking steps on our journey. To what “insignificant” person do we need to listen? And what will it cost us personally?
 -Sister Corinne Yarborough

TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022
Amos 6: 1a. 4-7 Psalm 146: 7, 8-9, 9-10 I Timothy 6:11-16 Luke 16:19-31 PUT YOURSELF IN MY SHOES… A priest missionary in Kenya shared an experience he had. One day the young man who served in a variety of ways in the priests’ house came to the priest and said “Father, please, I am in need of a pair of shoes.” The priest told him that he would help him. The next day as the young man was serving dinner in the dining room, the priest noticed that the young man was wearing a pair of shoes. They looked very similar to an extra pair the priest had in his room. The priest asked the young man where he had gotten the shoes. The young man replied “Father, I was cleaning your room when I saw that you had an extra pair of shoes. Since you already were wearing one pair, you did not need the other pair. And so I let you share them with me.” What would be my reaction in a similar situation? Often we hear Pope Francis speaking of listening to the voices of people especially those on the margins, of synodality, of vulnerability. In like manner, today’s readings from Amos and Luke require us to pay attention and to listen to the life before us. Amos’ diatribe against the religiously complacent and spiritually lukewarm people of his time, threatens us with “woe”, the definite consequences of our selfish choices. In last Sunday’s Gospel, the “administrator” servant was commended for his cleverness in providing for his future. He discovered in time that friends last longer than wealth. This Sunday’s Gospel passage deals with the enormous gap between rich and poor that is worldwide. In the Hebrew Scriptures, Abraham is the quintessential expression of hospitality who welcomes God’s Word and God’s promise, who welcomes strangers and friends alike into his life, into his tent. He is the faithful servant, who like God, is even willing to sacrifice his son for the life of the world. Abraham saw people. He even bargained with God for the lives of people. In the last few years especially, we have been called to hear and see the suffering of our world: by Covid, by the “Black Lives Matter” movement, by those who are homeless because of global warming, floods and drought, forest fires and famine, by the increase of repressive political dictatorships with their empty promises, etc. These realities are a result of the choices for which we are each responsible. God willingly offered his son, Jesus, in sacrifice for us. If I believe what Paul wrote to Timothy, that “God gives life to all things”, will I imitate the sacrificial love of Jesus in daily acts of serving the “other” by dying to myself? What choices am I making that enable even one person to eat, to be clothed, to be healed of loneliness? What acts of love and justice am I living so that others may have life? Since the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, 2022, many newscasts in Europe and the United States highlighted her steady way of understanding her role and her place in history, a role nourished deeply and daily by her love of the Word of God. The Queen expressed through her actions and words a respect for people of different cultures and of different economic standings. Her life decisions were not all perfect. Yet, she was a person who acted on her values and made a difference in our world.In response to the Word we hear and see in our lives, will we put ourselves in someone else’s shoes? The time to act is now. Tomorrow may be too late…
 -Sr. Mary Laura Lesniak Liverpool, England

TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

SEPTEMBER 18, 2022
Amos 8: 4-7 1 Tim 2: 1-8 Lk 16: 1-13
Today’s Gospel parable takes us by surprise. Why would Jesus praise the dishonest steward who merely increased his dishonesty when he was caught? Certainly not because Jesus valued such cunning deceitfulness… What Jesus valued was his “prudence”, his ability to foresee the future consequences for himself and make decisions that would enable him to go forward. That’s what Jesus recognized as lacking in the Children of Light. How much do we embrace difficult decisions in order to ensure a good outcome on our faith journey?
Jesus warns us that “No servant can serve two masters.” Each of us can examine our own heart in this matter, examine any self-deception here. What are the ways that I have a divided heart? Who or what is the master of my heart? What do I want to do about that? I want to choose to serve only the Lord of Life…
Self-deception: Are there ways that I deceive myself? What in my own behavior do I refuse to recognize? Why? What are the attitudes which I allow and which I prefer to deny even exist? Perhaps I even condemn them in others, but I give myself permission to indulge in them… What do I really desire?
Self-deception is a slippery slope. Deception is always a sign that we are moving away from the truth, from the God of Truth. God wants to open our eyes, and reveal where we are heading if we cling to any falsehoods. If we can accept the truth about ourselves, we can allow God to open us to a world where what we value and what we seek are one. We don’t have to play games and dodge the truth. Life can become much simpler for us.
Where is God leading me on my journey of life? Am I refusing in any way to embrace the choices God sets before me? How can I choose the Life I am invited to? The choices before me are real and are not to be ignored. One day at a time, one choice at a time, my life will progress. It’s up to me to embrace a life of Truth and reject self-deception, even in small ways. The choice is always mine. I can always CHOOSE LIFE.
 -Sr. Patrice Yarborough

TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

SEPTEMBER 11, 2022
Luke 15: 1-32
Have you ever lost anything valuable? I have. Once while in an airport between countries I was busily filling out papers when I inadvertently left my passport behind as I rushed off for the next step. My discovery of ‘no passport’ was just about to throw me into ‘panic mode’, but God would have none of this! Feeling prompted to retrace my steps, I eventually came to that original writing table. And there it was!! I could hardly believe my eyes. So I know well, and perhaps you do too, of the joy that wells up inside, just like the woman, the shepherd, and the father, over finding that or who was lost.
Losing a passport, a coin, or even a dear little sheep would be nothing in comparison to losing a person. What great joy there must be in God’s Kingdom when just ‘one’ valuable, priceless, irreplaceable person is found! And in our lifetime has not that ‘person’ been us? How many times have we lost our compass, our way, but through God’s bountiful mercy, compassion, and forgiveness, have found that Light once again.
The saddest reality of today’s Gospel is the eldest son’s action. In the end, he becomes the one lost. His anger, jealousy, and resentment keep him from rejoicing in the father’s goodness. He chooses death. For me, the call and challenge of this particular parable is to keep our hearts ever open to let go of being lost and choosing to be found; to let go of death and choose life; to rejoice with our brothers and sisters who have re-discovered how much God loves them; and to keep growing by never allowing anger, resentment or jealousy to fester within us.

 -Sister Ann Marie Grasso

TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

SEPTEMBER 4, 2022
Recently I had a conversation with a colleague about the suitability of a candidate for a particular position. The candidate would be new to the job but he was well educated, smart, and enthusiastic about his particular area of expertise. My colleague was hesitant and found it difficult to explain his hesitation. Then he finally said, “. . . but we don’t know what kind of decisions he will make.” I remembered this conversation when I read the scripture selections for this 23rd Sunday. The first reading talks about the deliberations of mortals being timid, and the need to be given wisdom through the Holy Spirit. The gospel gives a couple examples of this: needing to calculate costs before beginning construction, and foreseeing the devastations of war to decide if it would be better to make peace. The responsorial psalm names the virtue needed in the verse, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.” Please note, not just wisdom but “wisdom of heart.” The candidate that my colleague and I were considering was applying for a position dealing with Church law. To know the law requires intelligence, to understand the law requires wisdom, but to know how to apply the law to others requires a heart willing to be touched by complex and nuanced human situations. It requires wisdom of heart. Today’s second reading from the Letter to Philemon shows Paul acting with wisdom of heart, and asking his disciples to do likewise. He sends a slave back to his owner because it is the lawful thing to do. But Paul reminds Philemon that the slave, too, is a disciple and someone beloved. It is Paul’s hope, therefore, that Philemon, too, might treat him more like a brother than a slave. Wisdom of heart draws on human compassion, mercy and forgiveness to temper what is purely just or perfectly logical. In the polarized political world that we live in we need to be disciples with wisdom of heart, able to infuse understanding and compassion into a myriad of contemporary moral and political situations. This is today’s call to discipleship which will be costly, and require us to “carry our own cross” as St. Luke reminds us in the gospel. St Paul uses an interesting phrase in his letter to Philemon: “Perhaps this is why ….” He refers to the possible reason – in God’s providence – that the slave ran away: both to minster to Paul, and to be recognized as a brother in the faith and not just as a slave. And if we wonder why ‘”the earthen shelter weighs down the mind that has many concerns,” as we read in the book of Wisdom, perhaps this is why: the call of discipleship, to help “make straight the paths of those on earth” with wisdom, understanding, and compassion. Perhaps this is why . . . . -Regina Murphy, SSMN

TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

AUGUST 28, 2022
Gospel of Luke 14:1, 7-14
In today’s gospel Luke brings out an interesting fact: people do like to observe! Mostly, we humans like to observe other people and the people of Jesus’ time were no exception. They were observing Jesus closely in the home of one of the leading Pharisees. Jesus was often observed and criticized by the pharisees and they were probably watching him carefully at this dinner he attended.
Interestingly enough, Jesus himself does some keen observing of the invited guests. So, being the masterful storyteller that he is, he begins to tell a parable. The essence of the story is to point out that we need to be careful not to make ourselves the center of attention...the key seems to be “make ourselves”. The guests didn’t invite themselves to the wedding. They were invited. We don’t invite ourselves into the Kingdom of Heaven, into the heart of God. We are invited.
 We can easily recall the moment when the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, asked if her sons could have the places at Jesus’ left and right in the Kingdom of Heaven. Bad question! Even worse desire! Looking at the scene of the wedding guests filing into the dining area and choosing places we can imagine them thinking of themselves and their prestige, and we could conclude that it isn’t really a question of place; it’s a question of presence. High, low or middle doesn’t matter. Being simply present for a wonderful event, being invited does.
The conclusion of Jesus’ parable is that you should invite people to your party or event who can’t pay you back! Surprise! But that’s all right because we will be repaid in the right way one day by the only one who’s repayment we need. And it will be worth the effort. Jesus encourages us to be open, hospitable, welcoming and loving toward those who don’t often receive a welcome or consideration. If we put others first, if we honestly try to reverence those in need and those who are put aside by society, we will be honoring what Jesus tells us in today’s gospel. And in welcoming the other, and putting ourselves aside, we are welcoming Jesus.
 -Sr Patricia Brady
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