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
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
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
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
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
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
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
Chapters 21-23 By Sister Mary Core, OSB
After an emotional farewell at Ephesus, Paul and companions continue their journey to Jerusalem.
Again, Luke uses the word “we,” suggesting his presence on the journey. The fact that there are Christian communities at Tyre and Ptolemais indicates that Christian evangelization was widespread across Asia Minor.
What happens next causes us to ask how the Spirit works in our own lives … and whether we recognize it for what it is. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
Saint Paul writes, “I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit.”(Ephesians 4:1-3)
Unity in community, boy that is important. We are all one body. When one part hurts, we all are affected! Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
I’ve been mulling over a passage from prayer recently: Relieve the anguish of my heart, and set me free from my distress. Preserve my life and rescue me. Do not disappoint me; you are my refuge. (Psalm 25) Continue Reading
monasterywisdomvocationblog.smmsisters.org 