Create in me a discerning heart, O God, and put a new spirit within me. (Psalm 51)
The discernment process is to help you come to some resolution regarding your call to religious life. As we begin a new Liturgical Year of Ordinary Time I thought it might be helpful to ‘walk through’ some key areas of discernment. The goal is to create a discerning heart. Continue Reading
This week marks the beginning of Ordinary Time in the Church. It’s all BUT ordinary, of course. It begins with Jesus inviting people to “Come Follow Me” after his baptism. The very next day Mark’s Gospel tells us the fishermen drop everything (fish, nets, boats) to follow Jesus.
The surprising part is that Jesus says they must leave all behind including family. This has always bothered me, for isn’t the family key to one’s preparation of faith, trust and hope? I should think family would be a group that we want to bring along with Jesus! Continue Reading
One of the vows Benedictine Sisters profess is the vow of stability. This weekend as I looked out the Chapel window at the snow covered woods I noticed a single tree that still had its golden brown leaves. An odd site in a snowy winter like we are experiencing. But there is was – big, bold and stark against the barren woods. Continue Reading
It was great to hear from Alissa a couple of days ago. She has touched upon a fundamental discernment question for many women. They are pulled between marriage and children as well as religious life. Amost every woman I have encountered has grappled with that choice. That is why it is important to be prayerfully connected to God – as God helps us discover the path for us. Continue Reading
Today we celebrate one of the Church’s most beautiful feasts, Epiphany. Can you imagine the three wise men traveling to find Jesus and give him their gifts? The drama of their journey in evading Herod and those working against them, their faith and determination to find Jesus and, finally, being saved by the Star. What a dramatic story! Continue Reading
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