May 15, 2017
Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give glory.
Perhaps many of us have had the experience of hearing someone else praised for something that we did. And that was followed by the prick of anger that made us want to yell out, “Hey, I did that!”
Today’s readings present us with a similar, yet quite different, situation. A situation where Barnabas and Paul received much praise for something they did. And yet, like Jesus in the Gospel, they were very aware and quick to say that the glory did not belong to them, but to their God who should receive all the credit.
How appropriate is this time after Easter to begin giving credit where credit is due like that! As a Christian I am very well aware that it is the Holy Spirit working in me that encourages and empowers me to use my talents, skills and inspirations to bring God’s love and blessings to others. But I am not always so quick to admit it. As a Precious Blood sister I say that I want to allow Christ to use me as an instrument of his redeeming love,* but in everyday situations I do not so readily give the glory to God.
During this Easter Season I want to invite Christ once again to use me as an instrument of his redeeming love, and I want to learn to spontaneously refer any praise I receive to God’s glory, and not hold on to it for my own pleasure.
Sr. Rosemary Russell, C.PP.S.
O’Fallon
*CONSTITUTIONS: Sisters of the Most Precious Blood, O’Fallon, MO #3 Pg. 8
May 14, 2017
“Living Stones”
As a Missionary of the Precious Blood, I have been fortunate to give retreats and attend gatherings in various places around the world. I always try to pick up a stone from the place where I have visited to remind me that I have been blessed to stand on holy ground. My prayer table at home has stones from Tanzania, Guatemala, Italy, Germany, Austria, Korea, Vietnam, and almost every state in the U.S. These remind me of the “living stones” I met along the way whose love, fidelity, and compassion gave me a glimpse of the Risen Lord.
In today’s second reading from Peter, we hear the call to live our identity as “living stones” that are being built “into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood.” Peter calls us to be a community of priests, of bridge-builders, of holy people. The Vatican II vision of a common priesthood of all baptized believers is founded here. Our priesthood is born in baptism not ordination. Indeed, we see how the ministry of service and servant leadership in the early church community enacted in today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles as the ministry of deacon is born. Early in the evolution of the institution, it became clear that the eyewitnesses to the resurrection, the inner circle of the community, needed help in the rapidly growing community of faith.
Jesus, of course, is the cornerstone of whatever we build in faith. He is the “living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God.” He is the cornerstone of a new creation, this living temple, built at the very fault lines of society where the poor and homeless and most vulnerable fall through the cracks. As living stones, we are being constructed by God into a new creation community, “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own.” Jesus picks up this theme of construction by reminding his disciples that the blueprint for this new creation is made in heaven. He promises them, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith in me also. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.”
We believe we are saved and redeemed in the blood of Christ. How is this work of salvation being revealed in our lives right now? How are we being “living stones” being built by God into a new creation?
- Rev. Joe Nassal, C.PP.S.
Kansas City Province
As May 14th is Mother’s Day, may we honor those holy women, our Moms, living and deceased, whose love, service, and shelter revealed to us the true meaning of being a “living stone” built on the cornerstone of Christ.
May 13, 2017
“Here’s YOUR SIGN”
Trusting in what we cannot see!
When Philip speaks up and asks Jesus to “show” them his Father. Then they will believe in what Jesus is saying! Jesus must have been deeply disappointed in Philip and his need for proof. Philip had been with him for a long time but clearly he still did not completely believe or trust Jesus. He wanted to see the proof for himself. What a disappointment this must have been for Jesus. After all their time together, did Philip and the other disciples still not understand who he was? What would it take to for them to believe and understand?
How often do we ask Jesus for proof? At times, we also want Jesus to send us a sign that clearly he is with us! Then we will “know.” Faith and trust are difficult in our human relationships and perhaps even more so in our relationship with God! At least, with human beings we can see, hear and talk with them. We see their facial expressions and their body language. These alone communicate volumes of information to us.
However, we can neither see Jesus, God nor the Holy Spirit. To “believe” without proof is difficult for most human beings. We have the old saying: “the proof is in the pudding.” I assume that most of us like to see and taste our “pudding.” Then we will believe! However, Jesus desires that we believe and trust without “seeing” Him. We can choose to believe in Jesus and trust in his love and care for us. Or we can wander through life without an anchor, without anyone greater than ourselves to believe in.
Belief and trust in Jesus is challenging, especially during difficult and trying times. At these times, I want and need to have a tangible sense that Jesus is with me. And every once in a while, I am given a sign of some sort! However, most times I simply have to trust that Jesus is with me. This is not easy. However, when I am able to trust that Jesus is present with me, then I do have more strength and hope. These gifts of trust, hope and strength enable me to open my mind and heart to “seeing” Jesus!
Today may we ask Jesus to grace us with these gifts. Most of all, may we trust Jesus to gift us with all we need. Jesus is present with us every moment of every day, always strengthening and gracing us! However, we need to be awake and alert to His presence! Otherwise, we will miss Him!
Mr. Charlie Salway
Precious Blood Companion
May 12, 2017
Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God; have Faith also in me,
I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
As I sit with a dying Sister in the quiet of the night, I reflect on my Faith. What a gift! A gift with many blessings as we know we are never alone.
There is more to life and we always have our guide – Jesus – leading us. I just need to slow down, listen, and let him guide me. To follow even when it is not necessarily my Way. I need to take time in quiet places to listen, to hear him. I know he leads me through life. I gave myself to God – I need to stay open, He is my Way, my Truth, and my Life.
Jesus, you’ve led me through good times and difficult times. You are always there with me, carrying me. Help me to find the quiet place in my heart and listen. I know you are leading me to my eternal home with you. Thank you for always being present carrying me through life.
Sr. Rita Watkins, SSMO
Sisters of ST. Mary of Oregon
May 11, 2017
No messenger is greater than the one who sent him/her.
The introductory passage of John 13 is the familiar “washing of the feet” that we hear on Holy Thursday. Jesus had clearly expressed that his life and impending death are an expression of His love for His disciples. They had not yet received the outpouring of the Spirit so His message was not understood. As per usual, Peter jumps in and expresses what probably some of the others were feeling How could he let the Master, dressed as a slave, do a slave’s work of washing his feet!
With great patience, Jesus had explained why he was acting thus. After He was physically gone from them, they would carry on in his stead—not as one to lord it over others but as one serving perhaps even “as low as a slave”: “In all truth I tell you, no servant is greater than his master; no messenger is greater than the one who sent him.”
We, who have had the “rest of the story” given to us in the Word are to incorporate the message in our lives. We are merely the messengers; we are not the message.
How do we interpret the message? How do we embody the message: “…whoever welcomes the one I send, welcomes me and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me.” Do we recognize a messenger or do we wear blinders? Perhaps the messenger is obvious or, on the other hand, is the messenger an unexpected person or perhaps event? Do we recognize the message in the word? Is the message in the sunrise or sunset? Is it in the traffic jam?
And the other side of the question—How are we messengers in word? Or perhaps is it how we hold things in our hands as Thomas Merton said? What is the message we proclaim with our lives?
Sr. Renee Kirmer, ASC
May 10, 2017
The Holy Spirit said: “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
From the moment of birth until death I am on a journey. Just as Paul and Barnabas were singled out by God to do His work, so am I and so are you. But how do I know what that work is. A clue is contained in the reading of the day when I am asked to open myself up to the movement of the Spirit by prayer and fasting and having others pray for me. All this demonstrates to me that it is a movement from within, a deep sense that this is how God calls me to be fulfilled as a human being. I risk and do what I believe the spirit is asking of me and leave the results up to God and trust in his loving kindness.
My task is to share the light that I have been given and to proclaim God’s word by my actions and not just by my words. I need to follow Jesus. Jesus is the path, not the destination. I need to be more like Him because in following in His footsteps the Kingdom of God is made manifest in the here and now. It truly becomes a “aha” moment, not just for me, but for all.
Rev. Ron Wiecek, C.PP.S.
Atlantic Province
