By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
Did you ever wonder why we go to Mass on Jan. 1? It’s the day we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. We celebrate her motherhood of Jesus, which started with a “Yes.” Continue Reading
Month: December 2014
This New Year, Resolve to Pray!
By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB
New Year’s Day brings us to a new day, a new year, a new resolve in our lives.
It brings us to a new awareness that the Babe, Jesus, did not stay in the crib. He grew in wisdom and grace. He is in the world, in all of creation but essentially he is in our hearts. He is in the lives of everyone … even those who do not recognize him!
Jesus is present in the poor and the rich, in the well and the sick, in the peaceful and in those who are at war. How will you recognize Him? Continue Reading
Christmas Blessings to You
By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB
Our Advent’s renewal of prayer, quiet time and care for others, prepares us to enter into the joy and festivities of Christmas.
The mystery of God’s becoming human with us and for us continues to draw us out of our everyday sameness. Today! Continue Reading
How Will You Say “Yes” in 2015?
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
As we experience the final Sunday of Advent – where Mary says “yes” to God – we are invited to explore our own hearts, our own responses.
Do we say “Yes” to God? To hope? To tomorrow? Continue Reading
The Mystery of Mid-December
By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB
During these last 3 weeks of Advent, we have reflected on the words, Watch, Prepare, and Light. They are themes taken from the Sunday readings.
On our 4th and final Sunday, the readings direct us to the word Mystery. It is used by Paul in his letter to the Romans.
We have plenty of mysteries today. For instance, isn’t it a mystery that the ELF on the SHELF is such a motivator for a child’s behavioral change? In my day, it was Santa’s Elves peeking in the window to tell Santa of our wrongdoings. (My father used that one frequently.) Continue Reading
Silence Leads to What We’re Waiting For
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
We all talk a lot about waiting during Advent. We might know – more or less – what we are waiting for and why. But do we know how to wait?
One way is to cultivate silence in our lives. Continue Reading
The Light that is God … through You
By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB
If watch and prepare were the buzz words for the 1st and 2nd Sundays of Advent, I suggest that light is a key word to praying the Gospel for the 3rd Sunday of Advent.
When the bells call us to Vespers at 4:50, we enter our chapel and are met with a glorious light show. The sun streaming through the west windows catches the dust motes in a dance of red, orange pink and violet colors which no artist could reproduce. Continue Reading
Who Would You Say You Are?
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
Sister Stefanie’s Advent Scripture Study continues today. Read the 3rd Sunday 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!
In Sunday’s gospel we hear the priests and Levites ask John the Baptist, “Who are you?” Hmmm. Who would you say YOU are? Continue Reading
How are YOU preparing?
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
Sister Stefanie’s Advent Scripture Study continues 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!
I love this line: A voice cries out in the desert: Prepare the way of the LORD! (Isaiah 40) Continue Reading
Advent: Preparing for the Real Source of Happiness
By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB
My joy at seeing last weekend’s bright, sunny Saturday was dampened as I read the local newspaper’s huge headline: “A shopper comments on Black Friday, ‘THE HAPPIEST DAY IN MY LIFE!’”
The media repeats the shoppers’ mania: “ONLY 26 days left for Christmas shopping.” Continue Reading
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