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Introduction to ISD

Introduction to ISD

Hello Again

I have been away from blogging lectio on this site for about two years but will be renewing the practice soon.

Joan Irene

nov 25 2006

Saturday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time


Psalm: Saturday 46

Reading 1
Rev 11:4-12

I, John, heard a voice from heaven speak to me:
Here are my two witnesses:
These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands
that stand before the Lord of the earth.
If anyone wants to harm them, fire comes out of their mouths
and devours their enemies.n this way, anyone wanting to harm them is sure to be slain.
They have the power to close up the sky
so that no rain can fall during the time of their prophesying.
They also have power to turn water into blood
and to afflict the earth with any plague as often as they wish.

When they have finished their testimony,
the beast that comes up from the abyss
will wage war against them and conquer them and kill them.
Their corpses will lie in the main street of the great city,
which has the symbolic names “Sodom” and “Egypt,”
where indeed their Lord was crucified.
Those from every people, tribe, tongue, and nation
will gaze on their corpses for three and a half days,
and they will not allow their corpses to be buried.
The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them
and be glad and exchange gifts
because these two prophets tormented the inhabitants of the earth.
But after the three and a half days,
a breath of life from God entered them.
When they stood on their feet, great fear fell on those who saw them.
Then they heard a loud voice from heaven say to them, “Come up here.”
So they went up to heaven in a cloud as their enemies looked on.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 144:1, 2, 9-10

R. (1b) Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
My mercy and my fortress,
my stronghold, my deliverer,
My shield, in whom I trust,
who subdues my people under me.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
O God, I will sing a new song to you;
with a ten.stringed lyre I will chant your praise,
You who give victory to kings,
and deliver David, your servant from the evil sword.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!

Gospel
Lk 20:27-40

Some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection,
came forward and put this question to Jesus, saying,
“Teacher, Moses wrote for us,
If someone’s brother dies leaving a wife but no child,
his brother must take the wife
and raise up descendants for his brother.
Now there were seven brothers;
the first married a woman but died childless.
Then the second and the third married her,
and likewise all the seven died childless.
Finally the woman also died.
Now at the resurrection whose wife will that woman be?
For all seven had been married to her.”
Jesus said to them,
“The children of this age marry and remarry;
but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age
and to the resurrection of the dead
neither marry nor are given in marriage.
They can no longer die,
for they are like angels;
and they are the children of God
because they are the ones who will rise.
That the dead will rise
even Moses made known in the passage about the bush,
when he called ‘Lord’
the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob;
and he is not God of the dead, but of the living,
for to him all are alive.”
Some of the scribes said in reply,
“Teacher, you have answered well.”
And they no longer dared to ask him anything.

The way that it will be in heaven is different than on earth.
There will not be marrying in heaven. Those children of God there will be like angels.
Jesus was asked a question by the Saducees to challenge him.
God is a God of the living. I believe in the importance of being present to the moment.
The Lord is my rock and salvation. This morning I give thanks especially for the blessings received.
I pray for the wisdom and love and mercy to be Christ to others in this new day.

nov 24 2006

Memorial of Saint Andrew Dung-Lac, priest and martyr, and his companions, martyrs
Psalm: Friday 46
Reading 1Rev 10:8-11 I, John, heard a voice from heaven speak to me. Then the voice spoke to me and said:“Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” So I went up to the angel and told him to give me the small scroll. He said to me, “Take and swallow it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will taste as sweet as honey.” I took the small scroll from the angel’s hand and swallowed it. In my mouth it was like sweet honey, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. Then someone said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”

119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131R. (103a) How sweet to my taste is your promise!
In the way of your decrees I rejoice, as much as in all riches.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Yes, your decrees are my delight;they are my counselors.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!The law of your mouth is to me more preciousthan thousands of gold and silver pieces.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!How sweet to my palate are your promises,sweeter than honey to my mouth!
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!Your decrees are my inheritance forever;the joy of my heart they are.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!I gasp with open mouthin my yearning for your commands.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!

Lk 19:45-48 Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them,“It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.”And every day he was teaching in the temple area. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words.

The temple was being disrespected by turning it into a marketplace. The sprirtual presence is not something to be equated with any material goods and in fact in my opinion sprirtual goods can be a barrier to true discipleship. Have I left the material possessions of the world in my current life as a Benedictine Sister? Not completely and by nonWestern standards not very much has been given up. By current American standards I have given up many of the modern electronic personal devices such as Bluetooth and tiny earphones, IPods, newer cameras, new clothing fashions, TV shows, I have one closet of clothes and 3 drawers of clothes total. I have perhaps too many books 3 almost 4 bookcases worth in my home and my work office combined. I think in some ways that I have become too worldly but it is difficult to know at what point something becomes more than a tool or instrument and turns into a possession that is a distraction from simplicity in spiritual life. I have one room that I live in that is about 8 ft by 12 ft which is packed with things. Somehow as soon as I give up a possession something replaces it. There are an enormous amount of papers that have a way of increasing that even though so much can be done on computers, these papers seem to need to be saved for periods of time and filed. I think it is very true that we do not possess our possessions but they possess us taking the time of our life in aquiring, maintaining, moving and disposing them.

Nov 23 2006

Thanksgiving Day
Sir 50:22-24 And now, bless the God of all, who has done wondrous things on earth; Who fosters people’s growth from their mother’s womb, and fashions them according to his will! May he grant you joy of heart and may peace abide among you; May his goodness toward us endure in Israel to deliver us in our days.

Ps 138:1-2a, 2bc-3, 4-5
R. (2bc) Lord, I thank you for your faithfulness and love.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all of my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; I will worship at your holy temple.
R. Lord, I thank you for your faithfulness and love.
I will give thanks to your name, Because of your kindness and your truth. When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me.
R. Lord, I thank you for your faithfulness and love. All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O LORD, when they hear the words of your mouth; And they shall sing of the ways of the LORD: “Great is the glory of the LORD.”
R. Lord, I thank you for your faithfulness and love.

1 Cor 1:3-9 Brothers and sisters: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, that in him you were enriched in every way,with all discourse and all knowledge, as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Lk 17:11-19 As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten persons with leprosy met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying,“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” And when he saw them, he said,“Go show yourselves to the priests.” As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply,“Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”

The leper that thanked Jesus was the only one of the ten that after being healed returned to Jesus and gave thanks. He was the Samaritan, a foreigner and in the society of Jerusalem an outcast group. He was able go to the temple priests as was the practice and then return to Jesus. He is told that his faith has saved him.

I think the other nine as human nature would have it were off rejoicing and did not give a thought to give thanks for being healed. I wonder if they even went to the temple priests as instructed. It is a matter of once getting what they wanted they forget totally about thankfulness.

Today is a day for giving thanks. The history that I remember being that the early European settlers in America did not know how to gather the foods and hunt well enough in the new land and on Thanksgiving the Native Americans brought the starving people food and they sat together and feasted and gave thanks for having enough to eat. Did the settlers then proceed to continue to give thanks to the Native Americans? Well the history of America shows a great slaughter and injustice done to the many tribes and kinship groups of Native Americans across the country in the following years. The settlers seemed to have forgotten later to give thanks, or perhaps the waves of newer settlers that followed just ignored the obvious need to respect the indiginous peoples.

I see Thanksgiving as a time of giving thanks for family, friends and food. I also see it as a time to remember the charity of the Native American people toward the newer American settlers. I pray that today is day of grace and kindness for many and that those who do not have food or family or friends will find some comfort and nourishment. I have never truly lived a day in my life in hunger as many people in the world do daily. I thank the Lord for this and ask for the vision to see and help with more ways to feed the hungers of others locally and globally.

Nov 22 2006

Memorial of Saint Ceilia, virgin and martyr
Rev 4:1-11 I, John, had a vision of an open door to heaven, and I heard the trumpetlike voice that had spoken to me before, saying,“Come up here and I will show you what must happen afterwards.” At once I was caught up in spirit. A throne was there in heaven, and on the throne sat one whose appearance sparkled like jasper and carnelian. Around the throne was a halo as brilliant as an emerald. Surrounding the throne I saw twenty-four other thrones on which twenty-four elders sat, dressed in white garments and with gold crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning,rumblings, and peals of thunder. Seven flaming torches burned in front of the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. In front of the throne was something that resembled a sea of glass like crystal. In the center and around the throne there were four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back. The first creature resembled a lion, the second was like a calf, the third had a face like that of a man, and the fourth looked like an eagle in flight. The four living creatures, each of them with six wings, were covered with eyes inside and out. Day and night they do not stop exclaiming: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty,who was, and who is, and who is to come.” Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,the twenty-four elders fall downbefore the one who sits on the throne and worship him, who lives forever and ever. They throw down their crowns before the throne, exclaiming: “Worthy are you, Lord our God,to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things; because of your will they came to be and were created.”

Ps 150:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6 R. (1b) Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!
Praise the LORD in his sanctuary, praise him in the firmament of his strength. Praise him for his mighty deeds, praise him for his sovereign majesty.
R. Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!
Praise him with the blast of the trumpet,praise him with lyre and harp, Praise him with timbrel and dance, praise him with strings and pipe.
R. Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!
Praise him with sounding cymbals,praise him with clanging cymbals.Let everything that has breathpraise the LORD! Alleluia.R. Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!

Lk 19:11-28 While people were listening to Jesus speak, he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the Kingdom of God would appear there immediately. So he said,“A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’ His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce,‘We do not want this man to be our king.’ But when he returned after obtaining the kingship, he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money, to learn what they had gained by trading. The first came forward and said,‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’He replied, ‘Well done, good servant!You have been faithful in this very small matter;take charge of ten cities.’ Then the second came and reported,‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’And to this servant too he said,‘You, take charge of five cities.’ Then the other servant came and said,‘Sir, here is your gold coin;I kept it stored away in a handkerchief,for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man;you take up what you did not lay downand you harvest what you did not plant.’ He said to him,‘With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant. You knew I was a demanding man,taking up what I did not lay downand harvesting what I did not plant; why did you not put my money in a bank? Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’ And to those standing by he said,‘Take the gold coin from him and give it to the servant who has ten.’ But they said to him,‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’ He replied, ‘I tell you,to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.’” After he had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.

It seems a hard lesson that the one who has will gain more and the one who has not that even more will be taken away. To me it is an encouragement to have courage in decisions and commitments in order to use the little wealth that I have entrusted to me by God to the fullest. If I live a life in hesitation and fear there will be no benefit, no profit, no earned interest from the gifts and richs that God has given to me. It is a significant ending to the gospel story that when Jesus told this parable he was on the way up to Jerusalem. The readings are pointing to the end times in the first reading and in the passion of Jesus nearing the end in the gospel according to Saint Luke. The liturgical year has only one week left before Advent and the preparations for Christmas begin. I look forward to Advent as a time of hope filled watchful waiting in the anticipation of joy.

Nov 21 2006

Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Rev 3:1-6, 14-22 I, John, heard the Lord saying to me: “To the angel of the Church in Sardis, write this: “‘The one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says this: “I know your works,that you have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Be watchful and strengthen what is left, which is going to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember then how you accepted and heard; keep it, and repent. If you are not watchful, I will come like a thief, and you will never know at what hour I will come upon you. However, you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; they will walk with me dressed in white, because they are worthy. “‘The victor will thus be dressed in white, and I will never erase his name from the book of life but will acknowledge his name in the presence of my Father and of his angels. “‘Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” “To the angel of the Church in Laodicea, write this: “‘The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the source of God’s creation, says this: “I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, ‘I am rich and affluent and have no need of anything,’ and yet do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich, and white garments to put on so that your shameful nakedness may not be exposed, and buy ointment to smear on your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise. Be earnest, therefore, and repent.“‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter his house and dine with him,and he with me. I will give the victor the right to sit with me on my throne, as I myself first won the victory and sit with my Father on his throne. “‘Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

Ps 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5
R. (Rev. 3: 21) I will seat the victor beside me on my throne.
He who walks blamelessly and does justice; who thinks the truth in his heart and slanders not with his tongue.
R. I will seat the victor beside me on my throne.
Who harms not his fellow man, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor; By whom the reprobate is despised, while he honors those who fear the LORD.
R. I will seat the victor beside me on my throne.
Who lends not his money at usuryand accepts no bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be disturbed.
R. I will seat the victor beside me on my throne.

Reading II
Heb 10:11-14, 18
Brothers and sisters:
Every priest stands daily at his ministry,
offering frequently those same sacrifices
that can never take away sins.
But this one offered one sacrifice for sins,
and took his seat forever at the right hand of God;
now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool.
For by one offering
he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated.
Where there is forgiveness of these,
there is no longer offering for sin.

Lk 19:1-10 At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus,who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord,“Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.”And Jesus said to him,“Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”

The first reading reminds me of several weeks ago when Abbott Primate Notker Wolf OSB visited here at the monastery. One of his messages was that a community needs to be truly alive with the gospel life. The true sense of a Christian life is vibrant and full and without making a list of charities or ministries there is a sense of being on fire for love of the Lord and fully alive. There is a living presence of God in a Religious community. The Holy Spirit can be a powerful presence in the discernement and life of a community. Some communities may have a dwindling of the flame and aliveness in Christian life. It is a thing that as the Abbott Primate pointed out that any visitor can quickly see and discern from a Religious community.

The tax collector is a person scorned by his society of the time but Jesus is ready and eager to share a meal with him. Jesus is criticized for being with sinners but teaches that he is seeking and saving what is lost. Zacheus is immediately responsive to Jesus and willing to give any worldly possessions that the Lord would be pleasing to God. I pray this morning for my Religious vocation and that I have today the readiness to put aside any worldly goods or possessions and put following the Lord always first in my heart and in all my decisions and acts along with my path that I chose daily. I trust in the salvation that the Lord has brought to all those who believe and walk in God's ways.

Nov 20 2006

Rev 1:1-4; 2:1-5 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show his servants what must happen soon. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who gives witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ by reporting what he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near. John, to the seven churches in Asia: grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne. I heard the Lord saying to me: “To the angel of the Church in Ephesus, write this: “‘The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands says this: “I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate the wicked; you have tested those who call themselves Apostles but are not, and discovered that they are impostors. Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for my name, and you have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: you have lost the love you had at first. Realize how far you have fallen. Repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”’”

Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
R. (Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
Blessed the man who follows notthe counsel of the wickedNor walks in the way of sinners,nor sits in the company of the insolent,But delights in the law of the LORDand meditates on his law day and night.
R. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
He is like a treeplanted near running water,That yields its fruit in due season,and whose leaves never fade.Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
Not so the wicked, not so;they are like chaff which the wind drives away.For the LORD watches over the way of the just,but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.

Lk 18:35-43 As Jesus approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening. They told him,“Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” The people walking in front rebuked him,telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more,“Son of David, have pity on me!” Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him;and when he came near, Jesus asked him,“What do you want me to do for you?” He replied, “Lord, please let me see.” Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.

The first reading today is an admonishment to keep the love of God and others close to my heart and in all of my thoughts and acts. To wander or stray from the love is to stray from the faith. The acts of love are an important living of the glory of God.

In the gospel story, the blind man who was along the road to Jericho had asked for healing and Jesus told him that his faith restored his sight. When the healed man gave glory to God the gathered people were touched and also gave glory to God. The healed man had shared the love of God with others in his celebration of being touched by God in healing. It is a lesson in perserving that at first the crowd had rebuked the blind man who was calling out to Jesus and told him to be silent but then the man called out to Jesus even louder.

Why would the people passing by tell the blind man asking for healing to be silent? Perhaps they did not understand the calling out of this man. Jesus asked the man what he wanted. I come this morning before Jesus in prayer and ask for healing of my blindness in how I see others and to renew in me this morning a loving and steadfast heart. I pray that I can bring the light and love of Christ to others in all of my acts this new day with all of the people I encounter. I pray that I will have an open heart to those who are calling out to Jesus for healing today and everyday.

I am praying this morning especially for a generous young man I know who today is donating his stem cells to help a cancer patient. He is healthy and has volunteered to help a person who he does not even know. This is the love of others that the world needs. I pray that he does well in the procedure and recovers to full strength and health rapidly after the donation. I pray that others see him as a sign of the glory of God and a light to others.

vows video from september 2 years ago

 

nov 19 2006

Dn 12:1-3 In those days, I Daniel, heard this word of the Lord: "At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people; it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time. At that time your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book. “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace. “But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever."

Ps 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11 R. (1) You are my inheritance, O Lord!
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,you it is who hold fast my lot.
I set the LORD ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord!
Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord!
You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.R. You are my inheritance, O Lord!

Mk 13:24-32 Jesus said to his disciples: "In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken." And then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds' with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky." Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

The gospel is a foretelling of the end times. There is know time that we will say in advance this is when it will be. The word of the Lord will be a guide for the signs that the Lord teaches here are to be seen and that is how I will know. The sun will be dark, there will be stars falling and the Son of Man will be seen coming in the clouds to gather his elect.

The message is what to watch for and also to be one of the elect to be collected by the Son of Man. The word of the Lord stands as witness to what I need to do to be a disciple and one of the elect to be with God at the end times. The world is passing and faith is everlasting. The love of the Lord is my treasure, my inheritance, my jewel beyond compare, my compass in the storm and the meaning in my life.

Sister Joan Irene

Saturday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time

1 Jn 5-8 Beloved, you are faithful in all you do for the brothers and sisters, especially for strangers; they have testified to your love before the Church. Please help them in a way worthy of God to continue their journey. For they have set out for the sake of the Name and are accepting nothing from the pagans. Therefore, we ought to support such persons, so that we may be co-workers in the truth.

Ps 112:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commands. His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
Wealth and riches shall be in his house; his generosity shall endure forever. Light shines through the darkness for the upright; he is gracious and merciful and just.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,who conducts his affairs with justice; He shall never be moved; the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

Lk 18:1-8 Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, “There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’ For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought,‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.’” The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

The first thing on my mind this morning is how this is the 32nd week in ordinary time and going into the 33rd week. The readings in general are beginning to point to and refer in differing ways to the end. "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" This is a time that has come and has not yet come. Jesus is speaking this and he is the Son of Man. I understand this to mean when he comes again at the end time.

The dishonest judge in the gospel parable is willing to give to the widow because of her persisting and no other reason. This is how my faith needs to be. Through the good and bad and through the times of not seeing the fruits of my faith I need to be steadfast in my belief in that Jesus died and was resurrected and God is always with me at my side in all that I live through. That there is everlasting life for those who believe. My faith will heal me and make me whole. Faith is a gift from God with a continual giving connection to God. The Lord is my rock and my salvation. I continue to walk with the Lord through each moment and each day with joy that the living and loving God is with me in all that I do.

taken last saturday

 

nov 16 2006

Plmn 7-20 Beloved: I have experienced much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the holy ones have been refreshed by you, brother. Therefore, although I have the full right in Christ to order you to do what is proper, I rather urge you out of love, being as I am, Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus. I urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus,whose father I have become in my imprisonment,who was once useless to you but is now useful to both you and me. I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. I should have liked to retain him for myself, so that he might serve me on your behalf in my imprisonment for the Gospel, but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that the good you do might not be forced but voluntary. Perhaps this is why he was away from you for a while,that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother, beloved especially to me, but even more so to you, as a man and in the Lord. So if you regard me as a partner, welcome him as you would me. And if he has done you any injustice or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, write this in my own hand: I will pay. May I not tell you that you owe me your very self. Yes, brother, may I profit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

Ps 146:7, 8-9a, 9bc-10R. (5a) Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.
The LORD secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets captives free.
R. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.
The LORD gives sight to the blind. The LORD raises up those who were bowed down; the LORD loves the just. The LORD protects strangers.
R. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.
The fatherless and the widow he sustains, but the way of the wicked he thwarts. The LORD shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.
R. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.

Lk 17:20-25 Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply,“The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.” Then he said to his disciples,“The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. There will be those who will say to you,‘Look, there he is,’ or ‘Look, here he is.’ Do not go off, do not run in pursuit. For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation.”

I think that in the gospel, Jesus is saying that for the disciples life will not be clear and sure as a believer there will be times with no signs and there will be times of great longings for the coming of the Son of Man. Before the Kingdom comes, Jesus must suffer and be rejected, then he will light up the sky as lightening does. I think perhaps it is a message that I as a disciple will experience this too, the suffering and rejection by my generation or people of my time before the Kingdom comes and yet the Kingdom is in my midst right now. I think the willingness to endure for the sake of the kingdom as Jesus did is a part of the faith. Somehow there is always one type of a cross or another that has to be carried in life.

I do not believe that I was born only to suffer and I do not think that God wants to see me suffer. I do believe that it is part of having a strong faith to be ready and willing to make sacrifices and accept what life has brought me in the course of my living out my faith with an open, loving and willing heart. I believe I am called to love in all times and situations.

Jesus taught "forgive them for they know not what they do." I believe that the forgiving heart is the healing heart and that it frees my body heart and mind as a forgiver to let go of all past pain or suffering. God calls me to love all people not just friends and those who are kind to me. As a Christian there is a call to always love and act and live in that love as a child of God.

I find tremendous strength, joy and renewal in this call to love all and as a consecrated Religious Woman feel that my consecration frees me personally further to love all without exception in Christ whoever they are and whatever they may have done in their lives. The words come easily but living the life takes a constant daily turning to God each morning and a renewal of the commitment to love God and love all people.

Of course there are times when I pray and ask God "is this what you want of me" and "am I supposed to be here doing this now." I pray for the knowledge of God's will for me and discernment in what I do. I have been fortunate to have definite guidance and affirmations on the path of my life as I ask for God's way and not my own. I feel there is no greater joy or call in my life than being a Religious Sister and rejoice that this is what God has lead me to in my life. God speaks to me in every flower, butterfly, rain cloud, gust of wind, friend, family member, Sister and more. God speaks to me in every breath of the day and each day and I am blessed to feel fully alive and vibrant with the light of the love of God to share with all each day.

last weekend

 

last weekend

 

last weekend

 

last weekend

 

grub lunch last week

 

bleeding heart last week

 

last week

 

last week

 

nov 15 2006

Ti 3:1-7 Beloved: Remind them to be under the control of magistrates and authorities, to be obedient, to be open to every good enterprise. They are to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate, exercising all graciousness toward everyone. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deluded, slaves to various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another. But when the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

Ps 23:1b-3a, 3bc-4, 5, 6
R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; Beside restful waters he leads me;he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side With your rod and your staff that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before mein the sight of my foes; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Lk 17:11-19 As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying,“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” And when he saw them, he said,“Go show yourselves to the priests.” As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply,“Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”

The Lord is my salvation, my shepherd, my everything. The Lord is my source of healing and life. The Lord has cleansed and healed me and I am eternally grateful. All that I am is in the Lord, with the Lord and from the Lord. I am an instrument of the Lord and without the Lord I am nothing. I am thankful every day for my faith and that I live in the House of the Lord. Every day is a blessing.

I like a multitude of Christians have a great love of the psalm for today. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He leadeth me beside still waters. I find a tremendous sense of love and comfort in this psalm as if I am being warmed and wrapped in an enormous blanket of love and protection that is with me at all times from God. There is a peace and joy in faith that is beyond words that gives me strength and renewal in each day. I thank the Lord this morning for the gift of faith and the sense of the peace and loving presence of the Lord that greets me every day. There truly is no other thing that I desire in my life but to continue to walk with the Lord in my daily life and every path and way that I choose.

taken this week

 

taken this week

 

taken this week

 

Nov 14 2006

Ti 2:1-8, 11-14 Beloved: You must say what is consistent with sound doctrine, namely, that older men should be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, love, and endurance. Similarly, older women should be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to drink, teaching what is good, so that they may train younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, chaste, good homemakers, under the control of their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited. Urge the younger men, similarly, to control themselves, showing yourself as a model of good deeds in every respect, with integrity in your teaching, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be criticized, so that the opponent will be put to shame without anything bad to say about us. For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.

Ps 37:3-4, 18 and 23, 27 and 29
R. (39a) The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Trust in the LORD and do good, that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security. Take delight in the LORD, and he will grant you your heart’s requests.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
The LORD watches over the lives of the wholehearted; their inheritance lasts forever. By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm, and he approves his way.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Turn from evil and do good that you may abide forever; The just shall possess the land and dwell in it forever.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Heb 9:24-28
Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands,
a copy of the true one, but heaven itself,
that he might now appear before God on our behalf.
Not that he might offer himself repeatedly,
as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary
with blood that is not his own;
if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly
from the foundation of the world.
But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages
to take away sin by his sacrifice.
Just as it is appointed that human beings die once,
and after this the judgment, so also Christ,
offered once to take away the sins of many,
will appear a second time, not to take away sin
but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.

Lk 17:7-10 Jesus said to the Apostles: “Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’? Would he not rather say to him,‘Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished’? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say,‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’”

The gospel teaching is asking me to serve the Lord first then to have my food or needs attended to after having served. I need to attend to what the Lord is calling to before my own needs then I will know that I have fulfilled God's will in my life. There is great joy in walking in the paths of God rather than my own. I willingly devote myself and give myself to God and everything is provided for me and flows out of that.

Each day in each moment I pray that I continue to turn from evil and do good in my every act and thought and feeling. I take delight in the life that is close to God in all that I do. I am grateful for the gift of faith and continue to treasure and encourage the growth of my faith daily. I pray to not be conformed to the ways of the time and the worldly but to the Lord's ways in all that I do this day. I pray that I am a loving light in the world in all that I do this day.

I am grateful for the blessings of yesterday and pray for the vision and strength and open heart to be a blessing to others this day in all that I do at home in the monastery and at the university today.

taken 2 days ago

 

taken 2 days ago

 

photo this week

 

wild violets this week

 

nov 13 2006

Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier Cabrini, virgin

Ti 1:1-9 Paul, a slave of God and Apostle of Jesus Christ for the sake of the faith of God’s chosen ones and the recognition of religious truth, in the hope of eternal life that God, who does not lie, promised before time began, who indeed at the proper time revealed his word in the proclamation with which I was entrusted by the command of God our savior, to Titus, my true child in our common faith: grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our savior. For this reason I left you in Crete so that you might set right what remains to be done and appoint presbyters in every town, as I directed you, on condition that a man be blameless, married only once, with believing children who are not accused of licentiousness or rebellious. For a bishop as God’s steward must be blameless, not arrogant, not irritable, not a drunkard, not aggressive, not greedy for sordid gain, but hospitable, a lover of goodness, temperate, just, holy, and self-controlled, holding fast to the true message as taught so that he will be able both to exhort with sound doctrine and to refute opponents.

Ps 24:1b-2, 3-4ab, 5-6R. (see 6) Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,who desires not what is vain.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

Lk 17:1-6 Jesus said to his disciples, “Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur. It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’ you should forgive him.” And the Apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”

Included in the same teaching of faith and the avoidance of sin is the importance of forgiveness. The smallest amount of faith can do great things. Sin will creep into every part of life "inevitably" it is my part to see that it is not through me that others sin and that I forgive over and over others if they repent their sins. Great acts are possible with faith in God through the power of the Lord.

There are of course daily temptations to do things my way rather than God's way. I pray this day that my acts in this new day may all be pleasing to God and overflowing with love for God and my neighbors.

photo taken yesterday

 

bee on a marsh flower this week

 

frangipani this week

 

taken last week

 

nov 12 2006

1 Kgs 17:10-16 In those days, Elijah the prophet went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the entrance of the city, a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to her, "Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink." She left to get it, and he called out after her,"Please bring along a bit of bread." She answered, "As the LORD, your God, lives, I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar and a little oil in my jug. Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my son;when we have eaten it, we shall die." Elijah said to her, "Do not be afraid. Go and do as you propose. But first make me a little cake and bring it to me. Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son. For the LORD, the God of Israel, says, 'The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.'" She left and did as Elijah had said. She was able to eat for a year, and he and her son as well; the jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, as the LORD had foretold through Elijah.

Ps 146:7, 8-9, 9-10R. (1b) Praise the Lord, my soul!
The LORD keeps faith forever,secures justice for the oppressed,gives food to the hungry.The LORD sets captives free.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
The LORD gives sight to the blind.The LORD raises up those who were bowed down;the LORD loves the just.The LORD protects strangers.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
The fatherless and the widow he sustains,but the way of the wicked he thwarts.The LORD shall reign forever;your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!

Mk 12:38-44 or 12:41-44 In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation." He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."

Do I give to the Lord and God what little I can afford or all that I have? If I can not give all to God freely with my whole heart and soul then perhaps the little gifts are a sham and just for show like the scribes showing off their robes and prayers for others. Do I give for what others can see or because of what is from my heart and soul and mind?

I pray daily to remember to give of myself to others as the will of God reveals their needs to me. I do not have very much money with a slim monthly cash allowance for simple items such as shampoo, clothing, gifts for others and an occasional snack or lunch out. I do not go shopping very often perhaps once a month. I find it freeing to not be ruled by materialism and consumerism and see that it leaves more time in my life for meaningful activities instead of simply acquiring and maintaining possessions.

I see the giving the small coin as being similar to giving the other person room to talk. To give silence at times allows the room for a person with supportive responses to say more of what they need to. To give that little extra time to a person who needs it is a gift that may be like my last few coins. The time may be precious and scarce but the person that I am being present to may need my time more than anything else in the word. I have been constantly working on keeping my heart and mind open to others and ministering to all.

I have lately been ministering most to university students and find it enormously rewarding. I have kept confidentiality with them. I make myself available for them to walk in and see me all day every thursday. They can call my cell phone or email anytime. I am most grateful for the opportunity and privilege to be able to be in the position of being a university instructor. It is a blessing to be able to work with these dedicated, intelligent and talented young people as they strive to be the best in an academic program that is extremely challenging and difficult for all. They are learning to be nurses and healers and to make decisions that are life and death critical choices everyday. I pray that I may give them the support, the heart, the attitude, the tools and the information that they need to be the best nurses and healers possible to help many with intelligence, kindness and compassion.

Dr Jean Watson (internationally known nurse theorist from Coloradao) this summer in her local talk said that the nurse or healer can only truly heal themself. I think that the understanding of this is a key to being an effective healer. In my belief, God is the only one who can heal me and I need to be open to accept God's healing. When I am whole and well, I am able to better heal others. When I have understood my own wounds, I am better able to heal others. When I am open to others, my heart and mind is freed of my own smallness and expands with the joy of life and giving and loving.

I pray this morning that I may be open to whatever God is calling me to and that I may continue to have the privilege and joy of teaching others to be instruments of healing. I pray also to remember to give when I do not think I have enough left to give as the widow did with her coins.

taken today

 

taken today

 

taken last week

 

Nov 11 2006

Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours

Phil 4:10-19 Brothers and sisters: I rejoice greatly in the Lord that now at last you revived your concern for me. You were, of course, concerned about me but lacked an opportunity. Not that I say this because of need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient. I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me. Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress. You Philippians indeed know that at the beginning of the Gospel, when I left Macedonia, not a single church shared with mein an account of giving and receiving, except you alone. For even when I was at Thessalonica you sent me something for my needs, not only once but more than once. It is not that I am eager for the gift; rather, I am eager for the profit that accrues to your account. I have received full payment and I abound. I am very well supplied because of what I received from youth rough Epaphroditus,“a fragrant aroma,” an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Ps 112:1b-2, 5-6, 8a and 9R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commands. His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,who conducts his affairs with justice;He shall never be moved;the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear.Lavishly he gives to the poor;his generosity shall endure forever;his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

Lk 16:9-15 Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones;and the person who is dishonest in very small mattersis also dishonest in great ones. If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all these things and sneered at him. And he said to them,“You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God.”
To be Christian means to be willing to be without food or supplies and be rich in the Lord. If the material needs become my ruler instead of the Lord, I have lost touch with my faith. God provides and there are times that I am well supplied but my priority is to serve the Lord and all else follows after that. I need to daily turn my heart and soul to what God is asking of me and not the world. If I do what is pleasing to others but not to God, I have lost my way on the journey. Being trustworthy in small things is something that creeps into every day. It is a matter of not keeping something that is an office supply and belongs to the organization that I work for unless I am using it for work. It can be as simple and inexpensive as a pencil but the principle is the same and it is a level of honesty. If I can not be trusted with a pencil, then I can not be trusted with far greater things. The honesty and truth in living is also part of being Christian in the living out of all the days choices and ways.

I honestly strive to be upright in all my daily ways of living and choices. I do this not to impress myself or others but to be on the path that God has given me and to be loving and please God in my heart and acts daily. I like the saying that it is easy to talk the talk but we have to walk the walk. I rejoice in morning prayer returning my heart and soul and mind to God and the path on the journey.

Some of my friends say the kingdom can be here and now. I just know that the way is to do what is pleasing to the Lord and follow the Lord's way. I have been blessed many times with gifts from God perhaps that is what my friends who say the kingdom is now mean. It is a joy to have faith and a loving sense of the divine presence. I pray this day that my faith journey continues to deepen and that I stay on the path of doing the will of the Lord in all that I do today.

taken last saturday