The New Wine Press, Vol 26, no 9 May 2018
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Easter Reflections: May 16, 2018 Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
by Sr. Barbara Ann Hoying, C.PP.S., Dayton
Be on guard … Consecrate yourselves
Both sets of words appear in the readings for the day. Both readings also lead to impending departure. Paul is about to leave the Ephesus community—“never to see his face again”(Acts 20:38). Jesus is speaking to His disciples just before his arrest and death by crucifixion.
The final message of a loved one about to leave, or from one who has already left, makes a deep impression. “Be on guard.” Be watchful over “yourselves, and over the whole flock the Holy Spirit has given you. . .” (Acts 20:28). Don’t be lulled into complacency. There are “savage wolves” (Acts 20-29) ready to attack, eager to take away what is precious to you. Even those of your own company try to “distort” Acts 20:30) the truth. Be advised, you who hear the shepherd’s voice and want to follow his way, be on guard. Give of yourself. Serve others, particularly the weak and the needy. Work hard. Stay alert to “the words of the Lord Jesus . . . There is more happiness in giving than receiving” (Acts 20:35). Then you will sing!
“Consecrate yourselves,” “Consecrate them” by means of the truth. Keep yourselves for holiness, for godliness. Keep your eye on Jesus. He acquired you “at the price of his own blood” (Acts 20:28). He will preserve you for himself. He lost no one, except “him who was destined to be lost” (Jn 17:12).
Choose the one whom you will follow: the world or God. Choose: your own way or Jesus’ example. Choose: the “evil one” or “truth.”
Follow Jesus. Reach out to teach and to heal, to listen and to love, to feed and to satisfy, to retreat and to pray and to bring Home.
Consecrate yourself as Jesus did, for the sake of the Kingdom. Consecrate yourself and “share my joy completely” (John 17:13).
Easter Reflections: May 15, 2018 Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
by Sr. Marcia Kruse, ASC
Eternal life is this, to know you…
“And eternal life is this, to know you…”
But how do we know you?
Do we know you from the inside,?
Do we know how you think? How you feel?
On a crowded bus or in a shopping mall.
There is a little girl.
Do I sense the fear in her eyes
As she cautiously asks her nervous mom for help?
Do I see that young man’s worried look
As he stares out the window?
Do I hear the joy in that little one’s giggle?
Does my heart feel the pain?
Laugh with the giggle?
Oh, Lord, let my heart be so attuned to your heart
so I may
See as you see
Hear as you hear, and
Feel as you feel.
So, knowing you, I, too, can share with the apostles
The mission of Jesus
With my whole heart
Till the end of my days.
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World Labyrinth Day
by Kathy Keary
The Precious Blood Renewal Center overflowed with enthusiasm created by community celebrating global solidarity and peace on World Labyrinth Day, May 5th. The day began with a Fair Trade Sale where over $1000 of hand-crafted products from Ten Thousand Villages were sold. This non-profit organization guarantees that the artisans are paid a fair wage while their human rights and the environment are protected. It is a wonderful way to lift families all over the world out of poverty.
We then sat down to a delicious international lunch prepared by Lucia and Lanett. Thirty quests enjoyed tasty treats from all over the world. Sunny Hamrick of Jerusalem Farms then spoke connecting the activities of the day to the theme of our interconnectedness with all people. Jerusalem Farms is an intentional Catholic community located in Kanas City built on the four cornerstones of prayer, community, service, and simplicity. Ten Thousand Villages will pay the Center over $150.00 for selling their items, which we intend to donate to Jerusalem Farms.
We then processed to the labyrinth were Fr. Ron Will led us in prayer and song as we joined the world in praying for peace at 1:00. The guests were then free to roam and enjoy our beautiful grounds on a splendid day filled with blue skies and sunshine. It was a glorious occasion indeed.
Easter Reflections: May 14, 2018 Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter, St. Matthias, Apostle
by Sr. Julie Marie Wolf, C.PP.S., O’Fallon
I chose you … to go and bear fruit that will last…
On this feast of St. Matthias, the call of Matthias makes me think: I may not have chosen Judas, but Jesus DID! Jesus loves us and wants us to love Him and love Him IN ALL others regardless of how one thinks, what one thinks, where one lives, the color of one’s skin, one’s political leanings. It’s hard not to judge others, but Jesus only mentions LOVE ONE ANOTHER how many times in today’s Gospel?? Does THAT tell me something? How do I really love others? Especially with new Easter life on the journey to the heavenly mansion I really want to see Jesus living in Hispanics, Islamics, African Americans, Europeans, Asians, Africans, ALL people the world over, especially those who live in USA regardless of how they got here. How did I get here? How did we all get here? What are my attitudes toward others? Am I discriminating in how I look at them, treat them.? Do I talk to them or distance myself from them? How can I bear fruit that will last? “The Lord will give him a seat…” Matthias received the support of the early Church. Will our immigrants, refugees, and migrants receive the support of our citizens and country to be given a seat here? What will it take for us as a country to follow Jesus’ command to “ love one another as I have loved you”?