Sisters of the Presentation of Mary

Life is good, for the most part. There is much to be thankful for and little to complain about.

But then, things become a little too routine, boring. Maybe a dream for future plans and goals – which provided anticipation, hope and excitement – is thwarted or delayed. You had thought you could move forward, but realize you will have to wait. Life seems to be at a standstill.

It's at times like this when trusting in God is difficult. I often wonder if Jesus, before beginning his ministry, ever had a conversation with the Father like: "Don't you think it would better if...?" Or at least thought it. I'm sure he wrestled with many an "ideal" or "if only" fantasy!

Being grounded in reality and life – just as it is – is a demanding call. It's at times like this, I realize that my heart and sights have to be fixed on Christ, asking for the grace to live and love fully, waiting for what is not yet.

And, yes, it's still hard!

Today our local community spent the afternoon serving Christmas dinner to those less fortunate in the city. The great thing about it was that it brought people from all different backgrounds together. The volunteers took breaks to eat with the local people and their families. A youth band played carols and gospel songs for us, and children of all ages enjoyed creating crafts or running and playing with friends.

I enjoyed this chance to serve, to meet people outside of my usual circle. About 1300 people were served today, most of them poor and hungry. I couldn't help but think of how fortunate I have been in life, to have grown up in the circumstances which gave me all I needed.

Jesus was one of the poor, the homeless, born into poverty and very precarious circumstances.

He wasn't welcomed by his own people, nor the ones who were well established, rich, and powerful.

But the poor welcomed him, precisely because they weren't sated, they weren't full already. Their hands were empty, they were hungry, so their hearts had room for Christ. "Blessed are the poor, for the kingdom shall be theirs."

Lord, open my heart. Grant me a love that welcomes you, that goes out to meet you in the poor.

As Catholics, we often hear that "God is within us," or that we are members of the Body of Christ. But did you know we could say "the universe is within us"?

In her book Radical Amazement, Judy Cannato reminds us of this reality. In the beginning, with the "Big Bang," there was the miracle of the fiery birth of the world, and our birth as well. We can say it was our birth because "all matter was formed in that initial bursting forth...[and so] we must each be formed out of the primordial dust that became the stars." (Cannato, 43)

Incredible, isn't it? Realizing we come from stardust gives a whole new meaning to the passage from Jeremiah: "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you..." or St. Paul speaking to the Corinthians: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?"

So, according the theology of the cosmos, "we are all one (with the universe), connected and contained in a Holy Mystery." (Cannato, 44) You and I are connected to all that has been, is now and is to come. We do not belong to ourselves. We belong to God, to the universe!

The more we become aware of the miracle and wonder of creation, and how we are connected to and one with all, the more we will be concerned with the salvation of all creation. We respond with reverence and compassion to the universe who has given us life.

"See what love the Father has given us that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are...Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is..." (1 Jn. 3: 1-3)

This month I began my year of renewal, a year of deepening my commitment to Christ in preparation for final vows of religious life. One of the many blessings I receive is a class on our Rule of Life, and on scripture, taught by one of our own sisters. So, part of this blog is gleaned from her wisdom!

Many of us have heard about mindfulness before.  Mindfulness is being fully aware of whatever is happening, of one’s own experience and living in the here and now, without filters or the lens of judgment.  

"The Holy Spirit will teach you all things...and will lead you to the whole truth." (Jn. 14,16)

Ever had the experience of feeling like God is banging a gong trying to get a message through to you?  A sermon or talk seems to give you advice needed just at that time.  Or a person confides in you their experience and struggles, and, even as you strive to be fully present and attentive, you can’t help but sense as if they are like a mirror, reflecting your own struggles back to you.

A couple weeks ago, I confided in a friend of a decision I struggled with.  Nothing seemed clear in discerning which course of action to take.  I prayed, I sought counsel, I researched, but still, I felt conflicted.  My experience and rationale could only carry me so far, and I struggled to trust the wisdom of others.  It reminded me of that scripture passage, of being “tossed about like waves in the sea.”