November 29, 2014

“We are mindful of You in our ways.”

Sister Anne Newcomer, OSB stocks peanut butter at a food pantry.

By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB

Sister Stefanie’s Advent Scripture Study begins today. Read the readings and ponder them. Feel free to comment here, or – if you’d rather have a private conversation – email her at smacdonald@smmsisters.org. She’ll get back to you right away!

Are we mindful of God??? This line from today’s first reading makes me wonder. Do we – do I – put God first? Or do we put our false idols first? Do we even know? Continue Reading

November 28, 2014

Be Watchful, Be Ready … Like Me

By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB

The meaning of the words in the title of this reflection, “Be Watchful,” fills my heart with caution and trepidation this season. I have a personal reason.

Recently having just returned from a walk with my sister, Audrey, who has Alzheimer’s, I turned away to hang up our coats. In the instant my back was turned, I heard screams and thump, thump, thump. Audrey had started down the stairs and fell, bouncing on three steps before we could rescue her. Continue Reading

November 26, 2014

Being Thankful … for Something

By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB

Let us rise up and be thankful,

for if we didn’t learn a lot today,

at least we learned a little.

And if we didn’t learn a little,

at least we didn’t get sick,

and if we got sick,

at least we didn’t die;

so, let us all be thankful. -Buddha

November 20, 2014

Acts of the Apostles: Week #10/Conclusion

Chapters 27:13-28:31 by Sr. Mary Core, OSB

Encouraged by a gentle southern breeze, the ship’s pilot sets sail for Phoenix, only to encounter hurricane force winds which batter the ship and send it off course toward the island of Malta.

Once again, our “hero,” Paul, comes to the rescue. He first tells everyone, “If you had listened to me…” (A real “I told you so” moment), but then offers hope, recounting a dream in which God told him the ship would run aground and be lost, but the passengers would all survive. Continue Reading

November 12, 2014

Acts of the Apostles: Week #9

Chapters 26-27:13 by Sister Mary Core, OSB

In the presence of Jewish and Gentile (Herod Agrippa and Porcius Festus) authority, Paul is given permission to make his defense. He begins by acknowledging Agrippa’s familiarity with Jewish law and customs and then affirms his own Pharisaic belief in the resurrection of the dead. Continue Reading

November 5, 2014

Acts of the Apostles: Week #8

Chapters 24-25 by Sister Mary Core, OSB

After 5 days, Ananias and some of the elders arrived from Jerusalem, so Paul can now have a formal trial before the procurator, Felix, in Caesarea.

Tertullus, the “attorney” for Ananias and the Jews, begins with laudatory words about Felix, certainly meant to sway Felix in favor of the Jews. Continue Reading