current reflections...
Pentecost
A New Heart and a New Spirit
When Sunday is mentioned, most people think of this as the day one goes to church. On other days, we say our prayers, if we have time, and if we are not too tired. Interestingly enough, Meister Eckhart tells us that whatever we are in church we should be the rest of our days.
As Pentecost comes upon us, we are reminded that all of us have an inner sanctuary, to which we can go anytime. It is a quiet and holy place, a Divine Center, where a candle is always burning. It is a sort of home, where there is peace and quiet in the midst of our ever-demanding life. Some of us even have a special spot in our homes where it is easier to enter this inner sanctuary, a special chair or a window.
The inner chapel is also the home of the Spirit, who speaks to us. In this sacred spot, whether we feel holy or not, we become aware of the fact that our hearts are always seeking God. This same Spirit, who could also be called “the sheltering nearness of God”, will never leave us and is closest to us when we are in need. Furthermore the Spirit comes to help us accept ourselves and to be with us as we attempt to face life bravely with all its beauty and agony, and to say yes to whatever may come. This Spirit of God sees our own goodness and builds upon it.
As mentioned in the Liturgy of Pentecost, the Spirit is given to us as a Comforter, a Gentle Rest whenever we are tired, a Solace in our tears and as a God who wants to heal us. In the Book of Ezekiel (36:26-27), we hear God saying with great tenderness: “I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you. Furthermore, I will put my spirit within you.” It would appear that all God wants from us is to say yes to this tenderness.
From The Writings of
Sister Mary Jo Loebig, O.C.D.
Easter - 2019
Clearing the way to the soul-centered life is the work of the season of Lent. Hope will bring us to our true home in the midst of joy, sorrow, prosperity or adversity. We can at last find that place deep within each of us where all is One and all is well.
The Resurrection Light of Easter invites us to remain in this home to which hope has led us. When we live from that place, anything is possible; miracles happen. Hope continues to remind us that we never walk unaccompanied, and that we are held in God’s Love forever. As Jürgen Moltmann says so well in The Source of Life, “It [our true hope] encounters us as the great promise of our life and this world: nothing will be in vain. It will succeed. In the end all will be well!”
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
From The Writings of:
Sister Lynne Thérèse Elwinger, O.C.D.
Lent - 2019
Lent can have different meanings to a person over the years. Some years it can be as simple as giving up a favorite piece of candy. Other years it can bring a very difficult challenge.
I remember what my favorite Jesuit teacher once told us in Ethics class. Briefly he said that being attentive to what God gives us is perhaps the most important thing to consider. He gave the example of a person receiving a cancer diagnosis. "That person can rage against God and man, or they can use the cancer to gain heaven. Either way they still have the cancer!" The words he spoke to us became a lived reality a few years later when he was himself diagnosed with esophageal cancer and was given a brief time to live. As his former students and his friends visited with him in the hospital, it was obvious that he lived all that he spoke. And as he was dying, his main concern was pleasing God.
Now we pray that in Lent, and in all seasons this motive may be our major concern, and the Lenten Season may bring us a fresh awareness of God's presence whether we are just beginning or approaching the end of life.
Blessed Be God, both now and forever.
Miriam Hogan, O.C.D.
Christmas - 2018
Today, we pray that we may recognize this presence of God in ourselves and others this Christmas. For we know that whether a person is newly born, or is a sick or older person awaiting birth into eternal life, we can be confident of Christ’s presence among us and within us. We are not alone. Because of this Presence, the angel’s song continues to bring Peace and Joy into what we may otherwise experience as a suffering world. Once again let us recall their song:
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to all of good will.
Photo reflection from the work of:
Sr. Mary Jo Loebig, O.C.D.
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Advent
Christmas! That very word moves our hearts, and our memories. It gives us that special feeling within, telling us that all will be well. For a brief time, we forget about the bumps in the road, secretly believing that they too, may be blessings in disguise.
We are reminded that each new Christmas brings to light again what once was given to us as a particular gift before. This means that every joy of the past is able to touch us again, no matter how forgotten it may seem. Indeed, joys get better with age.Several times a day, when we light candles preparing for prayer in our chapel, we find ourselves praying for our friends, asking God to visit them with love and tenderness, This is something that one can do at home preparing for Christmas. Helen Keller reminds us that some of the most beautiful things in life cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.
We may ask ourselves, "What gift do I really want from God this Christmas? Furthermore, what gift does God want from me?" Perhaps, the gift God most wants from each of us is simply to accept in full the deep love God is holding out to each of us. This may be the best Christmas ever!
Let us Give
birth to God
in our own time.
From The Writings of
Sister Mary Jo Loebig, O.C.D.
First published in: The Catholic Messenger
Thanksgiving – 2018
Thanksgiving seems to have taken on a number of different meanings in today’s culture. Some people regard it a family holiday before the Christmas season begins. Others find that it is a time when the best sports are on TV. Now in an increasingly secular culture, I have heard it referred to as “Turkey Day”.
Our prayer however, is that no matter what the modern culture implies, people will take time to reconnect with the original meaning and thank God for His Love and presence in their lives. It is that simple and yet profound. A simple Thank You is a prayer that helps us connect both with God and with others past and present in our lives.
Most of us can recall many things to be grateful for, even Turkeys!
*this year we have seven wild turkeys that are roaming around the Monastery land
Miriam Hogan, O.C.D.