Apr 14, 2016
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them… (John 6:44)
We hear a lot about energy fields today. In today’s reading, Jesus speaks of a divine energy, a power at work in each of us, in all of us and in the whole universe. A divine energy seeking us out, finding us, and drawing us home. As we let ourselves be influenced by the positive energy of God’s love, we can experience our inner-connectedness with all peoples and with all of creation; all negative energy melts away.
Be in the presence of this positive energy of God’s love. Feel, experience the mercy of God. God who knows your inner core of goodness invites you to see that inner core of goodness in yourself and in others. We are all wounded but good. God says ABSOLVED! FORGIVEN!
-Sr. Rose McKeown, ASC
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.
Apr 13, 2016
Everything that the Father gives me will come to me,
and I will not reject anyone who comes to me . . . (John 6:37)
Do you recall the first time you received a “rejection” letter? It might have been for one of your college applications, or for a grant you worked so diligently to write to support a much-needed ministry. Perhaps the rejection occurred more recently; perhaps it wasn’t a letter, but in the form of a person, a friend. Whatever the circumstances, it happened and it was not what you had hoped for and it hurt! Imagine now, the huge contrast as you consider your desire to grow closer to Jesus, our Savior, and you know He will not reject anyone who goes to Him. May this realization and the accompanying sense of relief be the source of your mercy and love for others!
Sr. Charlene Herinckx, SSMO
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.
Apr 12, 2016
A Gluten Free God
St. Steven Catholic Church, where I preside at Mass on Sundays, offers gluten free hosts for people who are sensitive to this protein composite found in wheat. Jesus says in today’s Gospel passage that he is “the bread of life.” For most people during the time of Jesus, bread was so basic to their diet that bread and life could be understood as interchangeable words.
Through Baptism we become one with the Paschal Mystery of Christ. Several of the after communion prayers in the Roman Missal make reference that through the grace of God we may become that of which we have just partaken. As God’s people, we are to become life giving bread for others. Even with our sins, flaws, scars, fears, and doubts, we, like Jesus, are to give life, gluten free or otherwise.
Fr. Timothy Guthridge CPPS (KC)
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.
Apr 11, 2016
Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God that you believe in the one He sent.’ (John. 6:29)
This Scripture surely resonates with women and men dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus! Are we not committed to being followers of the One sent? Is our life not about accomplishing the works of God that flow from our belief in Jesus?
Reflect upon the power of belief. Danny Thomas’ belief in a cause resulted in the incredible St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. Martin Luther King’s belief in a dream precipitated the Civil Rights Movement. Mother Theresa worked miracles on the streets of Calcutta because she believed in a Jesus who lived in the poor. Never underestimate the power of belief. Jesus speaks to us as he did to the confused people of Capernaum, “This is the work of God that you believe in the one he sent.”
The infinitely merciful God sent us the gift of Jesus who became one with us. If, as has been said, mercy is the form love takes when it encounters misery, witness Jesus’ mercy at every turn bringing Good News to the poor, proclaiming liberty to captives and restoring sight to the blind. Not satisfied to be incarnate with us, Jesus further laid down his life for us and rose in glory where he prepares a place for us. A place determined by the ways in which we respond to Jesus’ invitation to live out our lives responding with our personal kind of love to any kind of misery. What can WE/I do to accomplish the works of God!
Sr. Maryann Bremke, CPPS (Dayton)
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.
Apr 10, 2016
Simon, son of John, do you love me? (John 21:16)
We throw that word “love” around so easily. but most of us have no idea what it really means or the implications that are involved in it. Remembering that the New Testament was written in Greek, we have to be clear with language. The Greek word here for love was agape. Agape love is self-sacrificing love. It is love that wills the good of the other as other and then does something about it. So Jesus gear is asking Peter, “Will you sacrifice yourself for me? Will you will my good before your own?” Love is a choice, it is a decision, it is an act of the will. This the kind of love that Jesus is asking Peter. And this is the love that Jesus demands of us as well. We remember the new commandment at the Last Supper. “Love one another as I have loved you.”
So today we ask ourselves, “do I have this kind of love, this agape, this self-sacrificing love for Christ in my life?” For this is the true love that the world needs today.
Fr. Michael Mateyk, CPPS (Atlantic)
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.
Apr 9, 2016
Jesus said, ‘It is I. Do not be afraid.’ (John 6:20)
But, Jesus, do you not see what is going on in our world today. The waters are tumultuous with violence, terrorism, hatred, and vengeance. How can you allow all this to happen and do nothing to stop it? I feel like one of your disciples in that boat so long ago. I feel forgotten. My hands are calloused as I continue to struggle in my rowing. I cannot find your watchful presence.
Lord, in this year of mercy, help me to hear your voice and feel your presence. Help me to see you in the story of my life just as John saw you in the story of his life. When everything becomes stirred up within me, Lord, let your mercy be on me, and help me to place my trust in you. Help me to not be afraid, and in this most sacred time of the year, help me to devote myself to prayer.
Mrs. Debbie Whited, CPPS Partner in Mission (O’Fallon)
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.
