Dec 30 2005

Col 3: Brothers and sisters:Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body.And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Let the peace of Christ control your hearts. What a beautiful message. It is the perfect way to live, a guide in times of indecision or getting off the path. It is a peace that I do not enter into alone but as one body. There is a unity with Christ and all of the Church in one body. This bond of love in the faith of Christ is a powerful. St. Benedict says to listen with the ear of your heart. I believe this is the same heart that is united in Christ. There is an old gospel song that comes back to me often the lyrics and title are "never alone."

As the year 2005 comes to an end, I can think of times of happiness and sorrows. I believe that God has never abandoned me and has kept me close at hand through it all. There is a foundation in the love of God that can weather any storm. I thank God for all of the many graces and gifts that I have received. I pray especially now for the people who are in discernment of religious life and I pray privately by name for all those who I personally know who are discerning a call to Religious life at this time. Being a Religious Sister is for me a great gift and grace from God for which I am most grateful.