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April 13, 2009

Triduum at the Monastery

Good Friday is the most depressing day of the Liturgical Year. I always consider Good Friday lasting until the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.  At the Monastery we have Lauds on Friday and Saturday morning with readings from the Book of Lamentation and many of the suffering, cursing Psalms. This part of the Triduum is filled with the sadness of Christ’s passion and death as depicted in the Good Friday Scriptures. It is an experience that often leads me to meditate on those people who are really suffering in our world. Continue Reading

April 2, 2009

Superheroes for the Word

For the last two years Sr. Janet’s first graders have come to the Monastery for a morning and it’s always fun. During the fIrst year, Jackie and I played the part of cows!  Sr. Mary Jane played music while we sang and acted the part in the small barnyard look we had created in our community room. Continue Reading

December 24, 2008

Christmas Message from Prioress Sr. Phyllis McMurray

And she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes
and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

We have heard this passage from Luke many times. The words naturally conjure up an image of gentleness and compassion. God became a little baby. A sleeping baby attracts our attention and engenders tenderness. A baby is powerless and totally dependent on others for care. And yet, that is how our God came to us. The profound mystery of the Incarnation brings with it a sense of awe and wonder. Continue Reading

August 16, 2008

A Discerning Woman

Yesterday was the Feast of the Assumption and a great day to celebrate Mary.  Today, as a Saturday at St. Mary’s, we are honoring Mary.  It struck me throughout Eucharist and in evening prayer that Mary is the model for discernment.

Mary is the most prayerful person I can imagine.  The Bible verse where “she pondered these things in her heart” could be a motto for discernment.  Isn’t that what it is all about? We must hold close our experiences in prayer, and ponder them in our hearts.  This is how we will know the message in the experience.

Mary has long been an example of obedience to God’s Will.  From the moment she discovered she was to carry the Son of God, Jesus, she opened her whole life to doing whatever was needed.  Her beautiful Magnifcat (which we use daily in our common prayer) is, as far as I am concerned, the most beautiful of all prayers.  It is simply a woman giving herself over to God and praising God.

In discernment we must listen, ponder our experiences, pray, praise God and then, in the heart, we will know God’s will.  It is a challenge to open our heart in this way – for the ultimate message is unknown.

Whether we are seeking answers about our life direction, or finding strength to meet life’s challenges – a discerning heart is essential.  A pondering heart is essential.  A prayerful heart is essential. Finally, a trusting heart is essential.  Mary teaches the way to discern and know God in our life choices.

Those of you on this journey of discerning where God is leading you to live, take heart in Mary’s Way.  Perhaps it would be valuable to pray with the Magnificat or with Mary in one of the Gospels.  I find it very helpful to sit with Mary in my prayer and let her presence fill me. Let her be your powerful model in your discernment.