Apr 26, 2018
by Sr. Jane Gegg, ASC
There is no word or sound, no voice is heard, yet their message reaches to all the ends of the world.
In my ministry of teaching young immigrant children the language of this country, I have learned that words are not always necessary, especially in the beginning. Through the use of gestures, pictures, facial expressions and movements, a word or a message can be communicated. And when understanding of that word or message happens, you can see the eyes of the children light up with joy, excitement, and Wow! Children smile with the realization that “Yes!” they can and will learn this new language. They are given a sense of hope for their future in this new land.
Emily Dickinson writes about hope.”
“Hope” is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without words
And never stops – at all.
The message of hope is given not so much with words or voice, but in the opening of our heart and reaching out to others. We can give hope by simply being present to another with compassion and care; a smile, a wink, a gentle touch, an understanding nod, a cup of tea. A painting of a flower blooming in the crack of a sidewalk, a bouquet of flowers handed to someone through prison bars, or the ever-faithful sunrise each day can also speak of hope. It is a hope that new beginnings are possible, a hope that strength and courage will be given for whatever the day will bring. And not a word needs to be spoken.
And so, perhaps a question that we can ask ourselves is how can we each become a compassionate, quiet, hopeful presence for those we will meet this day?
Apr 25, 2018
by Sr. Luanna Brucks, C.PP.S., O’Fallon
I am the vine, you are the branches.
I am writing this on February 2nd, our CPPS Congregational feast day so my reflections on the two readings for today are highly influenced by this fact.
The first reading describes the Church confronting differences arising from converts to the faith. The Church was growing; this called for reconciliation at the local level as well as at the governmental level of the church.
Our CPPS congregation confronted this same experience of growth whereby its missionary call beckoned it to countries in Europe and eventually North and South America and recently even Africa. The Community’s membership grew to accommodate its missionary calls.
The second reading shows a very different kind of church-replacing activity with reflection. We now see a church rooted and stabilized in the figure of the vine and branches. The Church has grounded itself sufficiently to be concerned about a deeper reality – the relationship between God and the individual and the growth of that relationship.
In the mid-20th century we experienced a similar call in Vatican II. Spirituality, not dogma, marked the thrust of the Council.
Currently now in the 21st century, our community’s General Chapter has called us to deepen our spirituality and the Church’s mission by a contemplative living style. To carry our contemplative prayer into contemplative living is a challenge, because it means recognizing Jesus in every person we meet.
Personal Reflection
If you lived with a sister of another community, what evidence of contemplative living would she see in you?
Apr 24, 2018
by Rev. Joe Uecker, C.PP.S., Kansas City Province
Peace I leave you.
Every now and then a person will greet me with “Shalom.” That is a loaded word, loaded with grace. It’s a lot more than the “peace sign” of the 1960’s. Jesus, about to pour out his Blood on the Cross, wishes everything good for his disciples. He asks his Father to give them everything necessary for a full life. He knows that not even his death can stop the flow of love from God to humanity and from one person to another. In fact his return to his Father insures that flow of life. All limitations of time and space are removed. Jesus went to his death with the sure confidence that he and his Father were one.
We are invited into that same peace, that same sure knowledge that no one or no thing can separate us from the love of God, a gift that no one can take from us. No wonder that we pray this prayer before receiving the Eucharist: “I leave you peace; my peace I give you. Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom.”
Apr 23, 2018
by Sr. Juliana Monti, SSMO
Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.
It is easy to say the words, ‘I love you’ to someone. Words are a dime a dozen. It is much harder to prove it by one’s actions. If a person loves someone, they want to spend time with them, they want to get to know their family, and they hope they are accepted by their family members.
Jesus tells us that if we love Him, His Father will love us and Jesus will love us. The more time we spend with Him the more He will reveal Himself to us. People in love cannot bear to be separated. They are always seeking ways to please the other and to know each other more deeply.
There are days when a person does not feel loved, and sometimes quite lonely. Jesus is waiting to hear us say that we need Him, and that we love Him, and He will be there. Sometimes He comes and gives us a hug through a dear friend. At other times we are struck by the words of scripture or words of encouragement that a friend offers or simply by the warm smile of another. To know Jesus more deeply is to love Him more deeply.
The biggest obstacle in our lives is our busy schedule. The biggest mistake in our lives is to not make room to spend time with the one who loves so much.
Jesus, give us the desire to spend time with you, to think about all the ways that you show your love to us and help us to love you as you love us.
Apr 22, 2018
by Rev. Michael R. Mateyk, C.PP.S., Atlantic Province
I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.
As we contuse through the Sundays of Lent we have today what may be the most vivid image for those of us living in the 21st C. When Jesus talk about the sheep most of us can’t really (unless you grew up on a farm) appreciate the scene. But we have had all grown houseplants and in school done science experiments where we cut ranches off and then would graft one back on a plant. We have seen for ourselves that truth. That unless the branch is attached to vine or plant it will die. Now this gives us a few points to reflect upon. Who or what am I attaching myself to in my life? How strong is my attachment to Christ? And then, what do I do that severs my attachment from the Church? These are very challenging questions that require honest time and effort in answering if I want to truly look into my soul and make that room for Christ.
I can look back at all themes I kept myself firmly attached to Christ and see how I was both blessed and was a blessing to others. I can look back and see how empty life was when I cut myself off from my Church. And I can also look back and see just what sins I engaged in that cut me off and left me alone to fend for myself.
St. John tells us today, “Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them, and the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit he gave us.” This is the key. To keep the commandments of Christ and his Church. We may not always understand them, but then that is where the theological virtue of faith comes in.
Pentecost is coming once again and so to help us truly be ready for that Holy Spirit let us keep ourselves attached to Christ, to keep his commandments and those of his Church, for then we can be sure that God’s grace will flow through us, give us life and be that witness to the world.
