By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, a voice came out of the heavens saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Recently I heard a number of voices saying that on YouTube, as I looked for videos to help teach my students about Jesus’ baptism. Continue Reading
By Sister Marianne Burkhard, OSB
The 3 wise men who appear in Bethlehem from the Orient have always fascinated me. I see them mainly as spiritual seekers. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
Today we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, on the final day of our Christmas season.
We remember that Jesus is human as he presents himself to John. In solidarity with human beings, Jesus (God) chose to become us. Wow!!! Continue Reading
By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB
lst Reading Acts 6:8-15; 2nd Reading Rev 5:11-14; Gospel John 21:1-19
The Gospel for the 3rd Sunday of Easter is wonderful, all of it. But let’s focus on one line in particular. The disciples had spent the whole night fishing, to no avail. At dawn they saw a man standing on shore. Although they didn’t recognize the man as Jesus, they did what he advised them: “Cast the net on the other side of the boat.” They caught more fish than they could easily drag to shore.
What did Jesus really tell them? What is he telling us? To “do something new.” (Isaiah 43:19) Continue Reading
By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB
Left to my own devices I would never have entered religious life. I thought it was dull, stilted, without fun, zest, relationships or community. I was interested in my friends, stylish clothes, a social life, my education. So how did it come about? Continue Reading
Now that Pentecost is over, we have returned to Ordinary Time in the cycle of the Church. Nothing is ordinary about it, however. We travel with Jesus as he begins his public ministry of healing, forgiving and preaching the Kingdom of God. On Pentecost he blesses his disciples with the Spirit that will continue to guide them in their carrying on the ministry of Jesus. Like Jesus, his disciples are in for a rough time of it. Continue Reading
The other morning I awakened to see a dense fog. Then I realized we were completely surrounded by it. Sometimes I have wondered how it would feel to be in the clouds, now I could have the experience. Continue Reading
By Sr. Phyllis McMurray, OSB
On the eve of the Feast Day of St. Scholastica, St. Benedict’s sister and our founder, let’s turn to the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians. We hear: “’Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.’ For it is not the one who recommends the self who is approved, but the one whom the Lord recommends.”
We did not choose God, God chose us. What is it that God asks of us? What was it that St. Scholastica asked of her sisters? Continue Reading
Jesus tells us, Blessed are the poor in spirit, they who mourn, the meek, those who hunger & thirst for righteousness, the merciful, clean of heart, peacemakers. What does Jesus have to say about the money maker, the clothes horse, the bar hopper, the party girl, the vacation dreamer? Is there any chance that she will be blessed, any chance at all that there is a “Reward great in heaven” for her? Do we all have to be “persecuted like the prophets before we get to heaven”?
By Sr. Ruth Ksycki, OSB
Last Sunday’s reading (Is.49:3,5-6) spoke of being called to be a servant. It is the call of every baptized Christian!
In intimate terms God speaks of forming Isaiah and us as servants, as “a light to the nations…to announce salvation to the ends of the earth,” to share the unfathomable riches of God’s love.
Continue Reading
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