May 13, 2018
by Sr. Ginny Jaskiewicz, C.PP.S., O’Fallon
We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites,
inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia,
Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,
Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene,
as well as travelers from Rome,
Jews and converts to Judaism,
Cretans and Arabs,
yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues
of the mighty acts of God.
In my wildest imagination I would have never thought this would be the Scripture verse I would choose for the focus of this reflection. This verse from Acts of the Apostles speaks of diversity, of gathering together, of unity, of sharing the gift of the Spirit which kindled in the Apostles the fire of God’s love. Each nation heard them speak in their own language about the mighty acts of God.
Today our world needs a new Pentecost, a Pentecost not only for Jews, Cretans or Arabs but a Pentecost for the whole human family. We are Mexicans, Syrians, Bosnians, Ethiopians, Croatians, Guatemalans, Russians, Vietnamese, Kenyans, and on and on. We are one human family who desires the gifts of compassion not intolerance, of welcome not deportation, of equality not supremacy, of love not animosity, of unity not division. “Holy Spirit, heal our wounds, our strength renew. On our dryness pour your dew.”
In today’s political climate it is so easy to point an accusing finger, to say a harsh word about those who do not think or act like I might. I have a right to debase their names because they form judgments with misguided thinking. They are ignorant of others’ needs, hopes and dreams. Perhaps it is at those times I need to call upon the Spirit to kindle in me the fire of God’s love. I need to look within at how I am being intolerant, unloving, self-righteous; how I contribute to an impasse that prevents the truth from being told. “Come Mother/Father of the poor; Bend the stubborn heart and will; Melt the frozen, warm the chill; Guide the steps that go astray.”
Yes, our world cries out for a new, a renewed Pentecost. Whether the Spirit comes as a loud driving wind that animates us with wild courage to proclaim the Gospel of justice and peace or if the Spirit comes peacefully as the breath of Jesus, may we hear and experience the mighty acts of God. “Come, Holy Spirit, come! And from you celestial home shed a ray of light divine.”
May 12, 2018
by Sr. Marcella Parrish, SSMO
Seeing John, Peter was prompted to ask Jesus,
“But Lord, what about him?”
Jesus replied
“How does that concern you?
Your business is to follow me.”
The apostles were truly human—curious, competitive, humble fishermen, testing to see if they were getting their fair share. So many of their foibles seemed to come from poor timing or poorly asked questions.
Peter had just come from the triad of questions from Jesus to see if he loved enough to be trusted with the leadership of the Church. It seems that conversation would have him worrying about his own relationship with Jesus rather than the relationship of Jesus and John. The response of Jesus was direct to Peter and is equally direct to each of us today: “Your business is to follow me.”
Following Jesus involves treating others with respect, caring for the poor, the hungry, the lame, the blind, the imprisoned, seeking just wages for all workers. If each of us makes a conscious effort the treat every other person in the manner we wish to be treated, the world would be a better place for all of humanity. Caring for creation would balance the present needs and grow a better world for future generations.
May 11, 2018
Former Precious Blood Volunteer John Lee
Precious Blood Volunteer Alumnus John Lee is out with his second season of his podcast “Starting with a Story.” The second season of “Starting with a Story” features interviews with individuals who have interesting stories to tell.
John’s experience of service as a Precious Blood Volunteer was part of his reasoning to start this podcast. John said that “since being [in Kansas City] and working with the students, I’ve wanted to share and connect with even more people.” He continues that he “brainstormed a bunch of ways I could pursue that goal and I came across the idea of podcasting and felt that it could create that bridge! And, so here I am, one microphone, one laptop, and limitless hope for the future.”
John is partnering with Cristo Rey Kansas City High School for Season 2. John served at Cristo Rey while he was a Precious Blood Volunteer in the fall of 2017. All donations John receives from Season 2 will go in support of Cristo Rey.
May 11, 2018
by Rev. Phil Smith, C.PP.S., Atlantic Province
Do you love me? Then feed and tend my sheep.
The Scriptures are filled with stories of meals. As a student in theology, I was fascinated with the four gospels, especially that of Luke, and the importance given to the place, the function, and the importance of meals. It was not just the meal itself but also what it provided the participants to share as well as who to become. From the changing of water into wine through the post-resurrection stories of meals, there was something that changed those who partook of the meal, whether it was to learn how to treat others and how to live or how to speak with others. Margaret Visser states that at the table not only is there physical nourishment of an individual but there is a cultural challenge as well. “We use eating as a medium for social relationships: satisfaction of the most individual of needs becomes a means of creating community.” (Introduction, The Rituals of Dinner, p. 1) This was also true at the time of Jesus. These meals in the gospels often occurred at a table but not always. Today’s gospel relates one of those incidents.
“…when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, …do you love me?”
Peter, and in turn, all of us learn that the meal does not only give us strength and bodily nourishment but that nourishment is meant to be used for the betterment of all. Peer, who denied three times even knowing Jesus, now is challenged to nourish, care for, and strengthen the community in times of weakness and to support its triumphs in moments of joy.
Let us, likewise, be fed, so that we can feed others with a good work, a pat on the back for a job well-done, and help the weak to become strong. In essence, we not only create community, we sustain it with the life-giving food and drink that only Jesus can provide. “I have given you an example…feed my lambs…tend my sheep … feed my sheep.”
May 10, 2018
by Rev. Steve Dos Santos, C.PP.S., Cincinnati Province
I pray not only for these, but also for those
who will believe in me through their word.
On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus prayed for you and for me. What a comforting thought. A common contemporary refrain quote attributed to St. Augustine is “If you were the only person on earth, Jesus would have died for you.” What an idea! God’s personal love for you is so deep, that he would have willingly gone to the cross to save you. It is so good for us to remember that Jesus loves each of us deeply, and that on the night he entered into his Passion, he prayed for you and me, and every Christian that would ever walk the earth.
Perhaps this prayer was in Paul’s mind whenever he was brought before a tribunal, or had to give answer for his preaching. Even when he still called himself Saul, Jesus had already prayed for him and his ministry. Even when we have wandered far from God’s dream for our life, Jesus has already prayed for us.
This thought is incredibly comforting. Life is not easy, and can sometimes feel overwhelming. But Jesus prayed for you and me specifically. None of the struggles of life can stand up to the One who has our back.
