By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB
Having been to the desert with Jesus last Sunday, this Sunday, we are taken to Mount Tabor for the Transfiguration of the Lord.
This appearance provides us with not just external features of Jesus – “his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light” – but Peter, James and John hear God say, “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.” (Mt 17:1-19) Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
Each Lent we are each asked to pick a book to read. I have chosen the book Walking Together: Discovering the Catholic Tradition of Spiritual Friendship by Mary Deturris Poust. I did not get far along when this passage made me stop and think:
“The very technology that is supposed to make our lives so mush easier and so much more integrated is, in actuality, cutting us off from face to face contact, leaving us with mostly virtual relationships that may supply superficial satisfaction but never feed our deeper need for something that touches the heart and soul.” Continue Reading
By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB
Spiritual writers use various terrains of nature to depict our spiritual life.
That is, if we are at the height of knowing and loving God in our prayer, they tell us we are on a mountaintop. If we are struggling with who and where God is, they tell us we are going through a desert. Continue Reading
By Sister Mary Core, OSB
Every year during Lent we hear the story of Jesus being lead into the desert where he is tempted by the devil. But this year, as I reflected on the story I discovered something new (at least to me).
That is, I had always thought of the temptations as occurring while Jesus was praying and fasting in the desert. But this year, I noticed the Gospel doesn’t say that. Both Matthew and Luke say that “After the 40 days and nights of fasting, Jesus was hungry.”
Jesus is tempted after his desert experience, not during it! Continue Reading
By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB
In the second reading for Ash Wednesday, St. Paul’s words to the Corinthians motivate us to the immediacy of God’s call: Now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation. Do not receive the grace of God in vain.
In other words, Listen. Now! Continue Reading
By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB
Ash Wednesday creates excitement for many of us as we anticipate Lent.
We remember the black cross on our foreheads: a sign of our devotion that brought questions and recognition from our non-Catholic friends. We remember mulling over what to give up. We remember the dietary restrictions, and the Easter candy payoff. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
Several of us have been following the Olympics every night. What an inspiring show! These elite athletes have trained and practiced their sport most of their lives and are at the top of their career. They are amazing.
Yet, the athletes – as all of us – are subject to variables they cannot control. They must face uncertain weather conditions and the potential for disaster at the beginning of every event. Their performance can be completely derailed – and their career ended – by a simple miscalculation as they battle through unexpected rain or blinding snow. Continue Reading
Don’t miss the Catholic Post’s wonderful article (and photo, at left) about Sister Bobbi’s campus ministry at Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill!. It’s on page 24 of the electronic newspaper. Here’s the link: http://www.thecatholicpostnewspaper.com/WebProject.asp?CodeId=7.6.6.4&BookCode#
Sister Mary Jane Wallace, OSB and her principal were on their way to visit a family who was requesting to place their 5-year-old son in Sister Mary Jane’s kindergarten class.
Although such home visits were not uncommon, this one was different. In fact, the two educators were quite nervous.
They were being asked to admit a child with no arms. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
Pope Francis recently heralded the great value that nuns bring to the Church.
“What would happen,” he asked, “if there were no nuns? No nuns in hospitals, in missions, in charitable institutions, in schools? Can you even imagine a Church without nuns…? No, it is unthinkable!” Continue Reading
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