By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB
Tomorrow we begin Lent. If you are like me, you have a tendency to think, My prayers, almsgiving and fasting are just the thing. They will make God love me more. Make more things go my way. Continue Reading
Lent
Palm Sunday's Joys, Sorrows and Calls to Resurrection
Matthew’s Gospel proclaimed for the Eucharist (26:14-27:66)
By Sr. Catherine Cleary, OSB
The spirit of Palm Sunday is usually jubilant. The weather, if we are lucky is warm and balmy. After Mass there is a joyful spirit in the air; people carrying their palm branches greet one another as they walk down the church steps. “Hosanna to the son of David, blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. This is Jesus, the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee” rings in our ears and hearts. But what about the rest of Matthew’s gospel which we also just heard? Continue Reading
A Mirror of Lent
This morning as I looked out my window it occured to me that the view was like a mirror of my Lent. At the beginning of Lent the trees, lake, and all were in darkness. With no view of life it all seemed barren. I felt this barrenness and realized that Jesus spent 40 days in the desert.
In scripture barrenness has always been a time of waiting for God to act, waiting with trust. Continue Reading
From What do We Need to be Untied?
By Sr. Catherine Cleary, OSB
Today’s gospel (John 33) tells us so much about the humanness of Jesus. It reminds us that Jesus has very good friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus. As a good friend, he responds when his friends ask him to come because their brother has died. He weeps when he hears that Lazarus has died. Continue Reading
"I am the Light of the World"
By Sr. Ruth Ksycki, OSB
The following quotes from the readings of the 4th Sunday of Lent made me stop and think and pray:
“Not as humans see does God see…the Lord looks into the heart.” (1Sam 16:1-13))
“Live as children of light…Try to learn what is pleasing to God.” (Eph 5:8-14))
“I am the light of the world…Do you believe in the Son of Man?…
the one speaking with you is he…I came into this world…so that those who do not see might see…
Surely, we are not blind also, are we?”(Jn 9:1-41) Continue Reading
Born Blind
By Sr. Catherine Cleary, OSB
John’s Gospel (Chapter 9) on the 4th Sunday of Lent tells the story of Jesus healing the blind man. The healing causes a lot of problems to those on the sidelines. The Pharisees want to blame Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. The blind man’s parents refuse to answer their questions about the healing, saying “ask him, he is of age.” Even the neighbors do not recognize the blind man. Continue Reading
Embracing Our Dark Sides during Lent
As Lent began I shared my reflection on a ‘Character of the Crucifixation’, Peter. This past week I read two more reflections from the book about Judas and the High Priests. Judas’ story reflects some of the spiritual struggle of following Jesus, just as Peter’s life depicted. However, Judas and the High Priest figures also bring out the political shadow of the passion of Jesus. There are great lessons here. Continue Reading
The Water that Quenches Our Thirst, Brings Us to Eternal Life
By Sr. Catherine Cleary, OSB
“A woman of Samaria came to draw water: Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” John 4: 50-42
Water is the focus of today’s readings (reminding us of the baptismal character of Lent and of the many catechumens preparing for baptism on the Vigil of Easter.) It appears that this woman in the Gospel knows what she wants. She wants water; it is noon, she is drawing water into a container, when a man asks her for some water. We are put on alert that this woman is alone and seems a little sarcastic when her first words are, “How is it you a Jew ask me a Samaritan for water?” Continue Reading
Seeing the Essential Oneness of God's World
By Sr. Phyllis McMurray, OSB
A story is told in the Life of Benedict attributed to Gregory the Great about Benedict’s own spiritual transformation. It is said that Benedict, close to the time of his death, went to a tower cell late at night to pray, when the rest of his community was thought to be at rest. As he gazed out into the darkness, he saw an amazing light break through the black of the night. Afterwards, Gregory recounts, it was as though “the whole world, contracted as it were together, was represented to his eyes in one ray of light.” Continue Reading
Upon the Mountaintop … and After
2nd Sunday of Lent – Matthew 7:1-9 – The Transfiguration of Jesus
By Sr. Ruth Ksycki
In a commentary on this gospel, Barbara Reid, a professor at Catholic Theological Union, writes: “On the mountaintop Jesus is able to see with God’s own vision the way forward in faithfulness.” In speaking of Dr. Martin Luther King she says: “God’s transformative love radiates through a face determined to love no matter what the other’s response.” Continue Reading
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