It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another. (John 15:16-17)
Precious blood spirituality is crying out to reconcile and to heal the needs in our world: bullying, “wars of words”, public rhetoric villainizing an entire faith tradition, the hardening of our hearts to the pain and the needs of the poor and the immigrant, using people as a means to an end, all rooted in the rampant fear of anyone who is “other”.
How does Saint Catherine of Siena (1347-1380), Doctor of the Church, encourage and inspire the recognition of God “who chose you” in the struggles of our time? Catherine understands our struggles having lived during the arduous era of the Black Death, mercenary armies warring throughout the city states of Italy and Europe, as well as a divided papacy. Catherine’s response to the overwhelming difficulties of her time was to embrace being chosen by God to engage in the ministries of caring for others, preaching God’s word, and reconciliation. May Saint Catherine of Siena inspire us to respond to our call to be deeply rooted in prayer, to courageously live with moral integrity, and to engage in reconciliation as we live our Precious Blood spirituality.
-Sr. Karen M. Elliott, CPPS Dayton OH
This reflection comes from the Easter Reflections, prepared by the Precious Blood Family of communities:
Adorers of the Blood of Christ (US Region)
Missionaries of the Precious Blood (Atlantic, Cincinnati & Kansas City Provinces)
Sisters of the Most Precious Blood (O’Fallon, MO)
Sisters of the Precious Blood (Dayton, OH)
Sisters of Saint Mary of Oregon
Easter Reflections is available for printing here.
