Monday, October 28, 2019

November 3, 2019 Jesus Calls Sinners

November 3, 2019    Jesus Calls Sinners  - Year C


Image © LUMO Project
Reading I: 
Wisdom 11:
22-12:2

Psalm:  145

Reading II:  2 Thessalonians 1:
11-2:2

Gospel: 
Luke 19: 1-10

In Luke’s Gospel, we witness Jesus’ befriending a chief tax collector, Zacchaeus. The people in the area considered such tax collectors to be serious sinners since they became wealthy because of the portion they took out of the duties charged on exports and imports. They were deeply resented by their neighbors.

Zacchaeus heard that Jesus would be passing by and wanted to see Him. Being short of stature, he knew he would not be able to see Jesus above the crowd. However, he was determined to view this preacher and miracle worker. Therefore, he chose to climb a Sycamore tree to see Jesus, even though he would be disdained and possibly ridiculed by the crowd.

Knowing the attitude of the people, why did Jesus choose to request to dine with Zacchaeus in the sinner’s own home? Jesus came to save sinners so He accepted him as he was. Also, Jesus saw the potential in him to change. He knew that Zacchaeus had a basically good heart. Jesus was going to touch that heart in a special way.

How shocked many in the crowd must have been when they heard Jesus ask to dine in Zacchaeus’ house! How honored Zacchaeus must have felt to have this holy man visit in his home!

Jesus’ visit was about to bring a drastic change in the life of Zacchaeus. This tax collector exclaimed: “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.” Jesus warmly responds: “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.”

God calls some of us to make serious changes in our lives through special life events. We are all familiar with Saints like St. Francis and St. Theresa of Calcutta. However, on a smaller scale this happens to ordinary people, too.

As a Sister of St. Joseph of Boston, I had enjoyed my Community living and serving as an instructor and campus minister at Aquinas Junior College (later Aquinas College), in Newton, Massachusetts. I had been there for about 10 years when an experience at an English Teacher’s Convention began a change in
my life.

The guest speaker recited speeches of some prominent Native American orators. The speech by Chief Joseph in which he laments the fact that he had not been able to fulfill a promise to his father when he was dying pierced my heart. He had assured his father that he would never sell the land in which his bones were buried. Nevertheless, the Government had taken over the land, and Chief Joseph had not been able to prevent it. I was convinced that more educated Native lawyers might be able to prevent such actions in the future.

Being an only child, caring for my father at the time, I did what I could and began incorporating Native American Literature into my English Classes in order to raise their awareness of injustices.  I also subscribed to some Native newspapers.

On the front page of one newspaper, was an article about an educated Native woman who went to a clinic for a health issue and was told that she needed a hysterectomy.  She knew that was not correct, so she called for an investigation which revealed that any woman of child-bearing age who went to that clinic was told that she needed a hysterectomy. In other words, the clinic was involved in genocide. That made me very angry and convinced me that quality education for Native people could be a solution.

When my father went home to God, I asked to go West, first to the Cheyenne Reservation in South Dakota, where I had a serious injury to my leg and foot. I was recalled to Boston
because of concern that I would not receive good medical care on the Reservation.

After receiving excellent care at Bethany Healthcare Center, I returned West, this time to St. Catherine Indian School in Santa Fe New Mexico. Living with the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and impressed by their spirituality and ministries, I felt the call to transfer to the SBS Community.  During the transition period, I gained experience in both the African American and Native American ministries. With the approval of both Communities, I was able to make the transfer of vows.

Looking back over the experiences which led me to make a change that I never even would have imagined, I recognize that the Lord was leading me on a journey that he had in his plan for me.

 Reflection Question:   When you look back on your life, what experience(s) do you recognize as part of God’s plan in your life journey?



Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...
Jesús Llama Pescadores

En el Evangelio de Lucas, somos testigos de la amistad de Jesús con un recaudador de impuestos, Zaqueo. Las personas en el área consideraban que tales recaudadores de impuestos eran pecadores serios desde que se hicieron ricos debido a la porción que sacaron de los aranceles cobrados a las exportaciones e importaciones. Estaban profundamente resentidos por sus vecinos.

Zaqueo escuchó que Jesús pasaría y quiso verlo. Al ser de baja estatura, sabía que no sería capaz de ver a Jesús por encima de la multitud. Sin embargo, estaba decidido a ver a este predicador y hacedor de milagros. Por lo tanto, decidió escalar un árbol de sicómoro para ver a Jesús, a pesar de que la multitud lo despreciaría y posiblemente lo ridiculizaría.

Conociendo la actitud de la gente, ¿por qué Jesús eligió pedir cenar con Zaqueo en la propia casa del pecador? Jesús vino a salvar a los pecadores, así que lo aceptó tal como era. Además, Jesús vio el potencial en él para cambiar. Sabía que Zaqueo tenía un corazón básicamente bueno. Jesús iba a tocar ese corazón de una manera especial.

¡Qué conmocionados debieron haber estado muchos en la multitud cuando escucharon a Jesús pedir cenar en la casa de Zaqueo! ¡Cuán honrado debe haberse sentido Zaqueo al recibir a este hombre santo en su hogar!

La visita de Jesús estaba a punto de traer un cambio drástico en la vida de Zaqueo. Este recaudador de impuestos exclamó: “He aquí, la mitad de mis posesiones, Señor, se las daré a los pobres, y si le he extorsionado a alguien, se lo devolveré cuatro veces”.  Jesús responde calurosamente: “Hoy ha llegado la salvación a esta casa porque este hombre También es descendiente de Abraham. Porque el Hijo del Hombre ha venido a buscar y salvar lo que se perdió”.

Dios nos llama a algunos de nosotros a hacer cambios serios en nuestras vidas a través de eventos especiales de la vida. Todos estamos familiarizados con santos como San Francisco y Santa Teresa de Calcuta. Sin embargo, a menor escala esto también le sucede a la gente común.

Como Hermana de San José de Boston, disfruté de mi comunidad viviendo y sirviendo como instructora y ministra del campus en Aquinas Junior College (luego Aquinas College), en Newton, Massachusetts. Había estado allí durante unos 10 años cuando una experiencia en una Convención de profesores de inglés comenzó un cambio en mi vida.

El orador invitado recitó discursos de algunos prominentes oradores nativos americanos. El discurso del jefe Joseph en el que lamenta el hecho de que no había podido cumplir una promesa a su padre cuando se estaba muriendo me atravesó el corazón. Le había asegurado a su padre que nunca vendería la tierra en la que estaban enterrados sus huesos. Sin embargo, el gobierno se había apoderado de la tierra y el jefe Joseph no había podido evitarlo. Estaba convencido de que los abogados nativos más educados podrían prevenir tales acciones en el futuro.

Siendo hijo único, cuidando a mi padre en ese momento, hice lo que pude y comencé a incorporar literatura nativa americana en mis clases de inglés para aumentar su conciencia de las injusticias. También me suscribí a algunos periódicos nativos.

En la primera plana de un periódico, había un artículo sobre una mujer nativa educada que fue a una clínica por un problema de salud y le dijeron que necesitaba una histerectomía. Sabía que eso no era correcto, por lo que solicitó una investigación que revelara que a cualquier mujer en edad fértil que fuera a esa clínica le dijeron que necesitaba una histerectomía. En otras palabras, la clínica estuvo involucrada en genocidio. Eso me enojó mucho y me convenció de que una educación de calidad para los nativos podría ser una solución.

Cuando mi padre se fue a casa con Dios, pedí ir al oeste, primero a la Reserva Cheyenne en Dakota del Sur, donde tuve una lesión grave en la pierna y el pie. Fui llamado a Boston por preocupación de que no recibiría buena atención médica en la Reserva.

Después de recibir una atención excelente en Bethany Healthcare Center, regresé al oeste, esta vez a la escuela de indios St. Catherine en Santa Fe, Nuevo México. Viviendo con las Hermanas del Santísimo Sacramento e impresionado por su espiritualidad y ministerios, sentí el llamado a transferirme a la Comunidad SBS. Durante el período de transición, gané experiencia en los ministerios afroamericanos y nativos americanos. Con la aprobación de ambas Comunidades, pude hacer la transferencia de votos.

Mirando hacia atrás a las experiencias que me llevaron a hacer un cambio que nunca hubiera imaginado, reconozco que el Señor me estaba guiando en un viaje que tenía en su plan para mí.


 Pregunta de Reflexíon
:   
Cuando miras hacia atrás en tu vida, ¿qué experiencia(s) reconoces como parte del plan de Dios en el viaje de tu vida?

Comments:

Stephanie Morris, Ph. D, Historian, Certified Archivist, emerita

Several times God changed the direction of my life.  One job seemed the “ideal” job but ended within a year. While working at that full-time job, I had heard about a part-time job. I dismissed it because I had the job I thought I wanted. The part-time job was still open so I applied and was hired. That position became special to me. I met the archivist of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament during professional meetings. Six years later the job ended. I looked into the SBS and was hired, at first part-time and later full-time. Working during the Canonization of St. Katharine Drexel in 2000 was a remarkable experience. Like Zacchaeus, I have learned to be open to the plan of God in unexpected events that enter my life.

Pat Chiaffa, ASBS

Your statement, “God calls some of us (ordinary folks) to make serious changes in our lives through special events,” resonates with me strongly. Increasing demands of caretaking developed quickly and I found myself emerged into caring and making decisions for my mother – simultaneously working full-time and running my own household. It wasn’t until I read an essay in a Guidepost booklet for caregivers that I understood that Jesus was calling me to a new lifestyle, much like he did with Zacchaeus. The insight from that article changed my perspective and opened me to receive the accompanying love of the Lord that has come to be my lifeline to accepting and managing my new routines. 
I treasured time as deeply as Zacchaeus cherished wealth. The changes Jesus asks of us often require us to sacrifice our valued “possessions.” However, the amazing thing is that the “cost of the loss” lessens the closer we step toward the Lord. I often reflect on the seasons of life that Ecclesiastes 3:11 speaks of: ”…A time to turn away, a time to embrace; A time to tear and a time to mend.” Sometimes, the life changes we are drawn to, or thrust into, offer opportunities for growth that we never envisioned. I am the one in need of healing. My wholeness and holiness will be brought forth through the daily ministering to my mother’s needs. 
Rick Warren states that “Every time you’re generous, a change takes place in you. Every time you give, your heart moves another tweak up the dial toward God. You become more loving every time you give. You become more like Jesus.” The path to my salvation is being custom-designed by the Master. I just need to take baby steps every day to get a little further along the path. 
Sometimes the Lord sends us down a path consisting of a life-changing diagnosis, heart-wrenching parenting challenges, or of unimagined traumas. These situations lead us directly into His arms and into the awareness of our total dependence on Him. While not a journey we would volunteer to take, we evolve into a stronger, more compassionate version of ourselves seeking to support others being called down a similar route.
Sometimes the Lord’s challenge is nothing short of miraculous. I recently read a synopsis of the story of Mitch Albom, author, journalist and radio and television broadcaster. He headed the Have Faith Haiti Orphanage/Mission in Port-au-Prince and his life was forever changed with one phone call informing him of a very sick child who needed care beyond what was available in Haiti. He and his wife were a childless couple in their 50’s at the time. They quickly became “parents” to little Chika who they bought to the United States to live with them while she received the best medical care available.  Chika, endeared as their “little angel” had a rare aggressive brain tumor. They fell in love with this child and dedicated their time and resources to her survival. Unfortunately, a cure was not to be had. Their hearts and souls were enlivened by this precious sick little girl. Mitch writes, “the parenting process never felt like a burden. It was more like a new purpose we had suddenly tumbled into…Incomparable journey…Endless memories…Limitless Love. 
The Father wants nothing less for us. If we trust His ways and open to the possibilities, we will indeed look back on our lives and see the hand of God leading us on an incredible journey.

Monday, October 21, 2019

October 27, 2019 Humility and Truth

October 27, 2019   Humility and Truth   Year C
Reading I:  Sirach
35: 12-14, 16-18

Psalm: 34

Reading II:  2 Timothy
46-8, 16-18

Gospel: 
Luke 18:9-14




The parable of “The Pharisee and the Publican” brings to my mind a common saying: "There is always some good in the worst of us and always some bad in the best of us, that it hardly behooves any of us to talk about the rest
of us."

Of course, Jesus knows us intimately, even better than we know ourselves. However, we can be blind to our own shortcomings and magnify those of others. In fact, often the weaknesses that annoy us in others are within ourselves also.

The Pharisees were well-meaning. They hoped to preserve the original Jewish faith and protect it from contamination by outside forces. They focused on the Torah, the written law as given to Moses, as well as the oral law, the interpretations passed down to them.

The strict observance of the Law was characteristic of the Pharisees, especially regarding the observance of the Sabbath. Even plucking an ear of corn on the Sabbath was condemned. Jesus, Himself, had to teach His Jewish disciples to go by the spirit of the law instead of the letter when they were hungry and needed sustenance on the Sabbath.

In the Christian Scriptures (New Testament) we meet some generous Pharisees. For example, we hear of Joseph of Arimathaea, who requested the body of Jesus to place it in a tomb. Also, we learn of Nicodemus, who brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes to prepare the body of Jesus for burial. Finally, we know of St. Paul who brought the same zeal he had as a Pharisee to his ministry to the Gentiles (non-Jews), once he was converted.

Most likely the publican (tax collector) also had some good qualities, so what was the point of comparing them? The words they spoke gave us a picture of their inner attitudes. The Pharisee bragged about all the good he did. He looked down upon others as inferior to himself. He believed that he was self-sufficient. He wouldn’t face the truth. With mind and heart closed, only a miracle of God’s grace could enable him to develop an intimate relationship with God, e.g. Saul becoming St. Paul.

On the other hand, the tax collector acknowledges his sinfulness. He knows he needed God’s help. He does not judge others. He faces the truth and thus is humble. Since he does not block out reality, he has an open heart, one that is receptive and able to develop a deep relationship with his Maker.

What causes people to be unable to face their humanity? Sometimes I believe that well-meaning parents and/or people in authority put expectations of perfection on others and thus they cannot acknowledge their weaknesses or wrongdoings.
This brings to mind an experience I had as a young Sister teaching the 6th grade in a small parish school. There was a boy in the 5th grade that had a reputation for lying. I knew he would be in my class the next year, so I was concerned about how to help him. In a magazine, I read that the reason children lie is basically fear.
I am going to call the student John, which is not his real name. Sure enough, John became my student the next year. Someone had written on the walls of the boys’ bathroom and John was accused of doing it.
 
I kept him after school and was sitting at my desk correcting papers. When I looked up, I saw that John was crying at his desk. Therefore, I called him up to my desk and asked him why he was crying. He told me that he really didn’t write on the wall, but that no one would believe him.  My response was that he had lied so much in the past that he now had a reputation for lying. The only way he could change that was to begin to tell the truth.

There was an unsolved mystery of another event which I mentioned to him. He acknowledged that he had been the culprit that time. Then I told him to go to the principal, tell her that he had committed the first offense, but he had not written on the wall that day. I also told him from now on not to respond quickly when questioned, rather to remember the importance of telling the truth before he answered.

At the end of the year, I was promoted to the 7th grade with my class. One girl who was cleaning the classroom after school casually mentioned to me that John no longer was lying.  Of course, this surprised me. I had no idea why she was telling me about this. Maybe John had shared my conversation with her? Nonetheless, I was delighted to learn this. Perhaps by my accepting John as he was, he could then acknowledge the truth.

 Reflection Question:   Let us ask the Lord to help us become humble by accepting ourselves and others with all our virtues and imperfections.



Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...
Humildad y Verdad


Por supuesto, Jesús nos conoce íntimamente, incluso mejor que nosotros mismos. Sin embargo, podemos ser ciegos a nuestras propias deficiencias y magnificar las de los demás. De hecho, a menudo las debilidades que nos molestan en los demás también están dentro de nosotros mismos.

Los fariseos tenían buenas intenciones. Esperaban preservar la fe judía original y protegerla de la contaminación por fuerzas externas. Se centraron en la Torá, la ley escrita dada a Moisés, así como la ley oral, las interpretaciones transmitidas a ellos.

La estricta observancia de la Ley era característica de los fariseos, especialmente con respecto a la observancia del sábado. Incluso condenar una mazorca de maíz en sábado fue condenado. Jesús mismo tuvo que enseñar a sus discípulos judíos a seguir el espíritu de la ley en lugar de la letra cuando tenían hambre y necesitaban sustento en sábado.

En las Escrituras Cristianas (Nuevo Testamento) nos encontramos con unos fariseos generosos. Por ejemplo, escuchamos de José de Arimatea, quien le pidió al cuerpo de Jesús que lo colocara en una tumba. Además, nos enteramos de Nicodemo, que trajo una mezcla de mirra y áloe para preparar el cuerpo de Jesús para el entierro. Finalmente, sabemos de San Pablo que trajo el mismo celo que tenía como fariseo a su ministerio a los gentiles (no judíos), una vez que se convirtió.

Lo más probable es que el publicano (recaudador de impuestos) también tuviera algunas buenas cualidades, entonces, ¿cuál era el punto de compararlos? Las palabras que pronunciaron nos dieron una imagen de sus actitudes internas. El fariseo se jactaba de todo lo bueno que hacía. Miró a los demás como inferiores a sí mismo. Él creía que era autosuficiente. No enfrentaría la verdad. Con la mente y el corazón cerrados, solo un milagro de la gracia de Dios podría permitirle desarrollar una relación íntima con Dios, p. Saúl convirtiéndose en San Pablo.

Por otro lado, el recaudador de impuestos reconoce su pecaminosidad. Él sabe que necesitaba la ayuda de Dios. Él no juzga a los demás. Se enfrenta a la verdad y, por lo tanto, es humilde. Como no bloquea la realidad, tiene un corazón abierto, receptivo y capaz de desarrollar una relación profunda con su Hacedor.

¿Qué hace que las personas sean incapaces de enfrentar su humanidad? A veces creo que los padres bien intencionados y / o las personas con autoridad ponen expectativas de perfección en los demás y, por lo tanto, no pueden reconocer sus debilidades o fechorías.

Esto me recuerda una experiencia que tuve cuando era una joven Hermana enseñando el sexto grado en una pequeña escuela parroquial. Había un niño en quinto grado que tenía fama de mentir. Sabía que estaría en mi clase el próximo año, así que me preocupaba cómo ayudarlo. En una revista, leí que la razón por la cual los niños mienten es básicamente el miedo.

Voy a llamar al estudiante John, que no es su nombre real. Efectivamente, John se convirtió en mi alumno al año siguiente. Alguien había escrito en las paredes del baño de los niños y John fue acusado de hacerlo.

Lo guardé después de la escuela y estaba sentado en mi escritorio corrigiendo papeles. Cuando levanté la vista, vi que John estaba llorando en su escritorio. Por lo tanto, lo llamé a mi escritorio y le pregunté por qué estaba llorando. Me dijo que realmente no escribía en la pared, pero que nadie le creería. Mi respuesta fue que había mentido tanto en el pasado que ahora tenía fama de mentir. La única forma en que podía cambiar eso era comenzar a decir la verdad.

Había un misterio sin resolver de otro evento que le mencioné. Reconoció que había sido el culpable esa vez. Luego le dije que fuera al director y le dijera que había cometido la primera ofensa, pero que no había escrito en la pared ese día. También le dije a partir de ahora que no respondiera rápidamente cuando se le preguntara, sino que recordara la importancia de decir la verdad antes de responder.

Al final del año, fui promovido al séptimo grado con mi clase. Una chica que estaba limpiando el aula después de la escuela me dijo casualmente que John ya no mentía. Por supuesto, esto me sorprendió. No tenía idea de por qué me estaba contando sobre esto. ¿Quizás John había compartido mi conversación con ella? Sin embargo, me encantó saber esto. Quizás al aceptar a John tal como era, él podría reconocer la verdad.

 Pregunta de Reflexíon:  Pidamos al Señor que nos ayude a ser humildes al aceptarnos a nosotros mismos y a los demás con todas nuestras virtudes e imperfecciones.



Comments:
Stephanie Morris, Ph. D, Historian, Certified Archivist, emerita


Mother Katharine reminds us to walk always in the presence of God. If we truly believe that we are constantly in the presence of our Creator, our Redeemer, the Savior who was cruelly murdered for our sakes, in the presence of the Holy Spirit, how can we honestly be anything but humble? We have this Wonderful Presence with us, within us; how can we ignore Him by thinking of our own glory first? Mother Katharine also wrote that we should “Quietly, tranquility, let the grace of God work in you.” If we can do this, then the grace of God will help us to accept ourselves as we truly are and to accept others as God sees them.

Pat Chiaffa, ASBS

Your question, “What causes people to be unable to face their humanity?” is a powerful reflective inquiry when we ask it of ourselves in the first person, “What causes me to be unable to face my humanity?” Fear-based thoughts come to mind, such as not wanting to see all the suffering going on around me, not wanting to assume responsibility for others, unwillingness to go beyond the surface, feelings of powerlessness. For me, these thoughts reflect a mindset of separateness – them /me.  As Christians, of course, we should hold the space of oneness, of solidarity and unity. Regardless of the perceived differences: gender, race, culture age, intelligence, we are called to see other people as God sees them.

Richard Rohr posted an article in which he shares the words of his friend, Tim Shriver, Chair of Special Olympics, who works with many people whom our culture excludes or disregards. Through their eyes he has come to see God’s presence in every human being. Rohr suggests that as we read Tim’s words, imagine how we might stand in solidarity with someone “on the edge,” someone who has been excluded, and see that individual through God’s eyes.

“You cannot believe in or practice unitive consciousness as long as you exclude and marginalize others—whether it is women or people of different sexual orientations or people of religious or ethnic minorities or, in my experience, people with intellectual disabilities. My work is largely with and in support of people who have significant vulnerabilities because of intellectual disability. In many cultures these people are excluded and oppressed, though often unconsciously, even more so than other marginalized groups. . . . They are thought to be hopeless. Mostly they are ignored and forgotten.

For twenty years I have been mentored by these same people. Some might not be the best-spoken, the most articulate writers, the most celebrated thinkers, the fastest runners. And yet, despite all of that, I have met person after person who emanates a kind of radiant light. After a while, even the densest of us may have our eyes opened to that something which transcends all superficial distractions of disability: the unimaginable beauty of every person. That beauty is ours for the seeing if only we have the eyes to see, if only we pay attention.

I try to maintain those eyes as I engage in this work. At times I will pull myself out of whatever I’m doing and try to remember that I’m united with all that is. I give myself license to step away and reconnect. I fail mostly, but once in a while I succeed, and when I do, I feel like I am touching a “sweet spot” of wonder and peace. It enables me to be present to people in a way that I can communicate to them that I love them unconditionally. There are no conditions to our unity, to our oneness.

Many times I’ve watched, for instance, as a person with Down syndrome stands with a gold medal around her neck, arms raised high to a cheering crowd. I can’t look at that child, at that human being, without slipping out of dualistic thinking. Those moments are a kind of sacrament of unitive consciousness. They are “both-and” moments where shadow and light coexist in the same experience. . . . Divine energy shoots vertically through me like a force, and says, “See! Look! Pay attention to what is right in front of you! That is all you need to know!”

Monday, October 14, 2019

Oct. 20, 2019 Persistence in Prayer

October 20, 2019   Persistence in Prayer   Year C

Reading I: 
Exodus 17:8-13

Psalm:  121

Reading II: 
2 Timothy 3:14-4:2

Gospel: 
Luke 18:1-8

In today’s reading from Exodus, we have a beautiful story about Moses’ persistence in prayer. Amalek attacked Israel, so Moses told Joshua to gather a group of men and defend Israel from Amalek and his men. In the meantime, Moses climbed to the top of a hill with Aaron and Hur. As long as Moses kept his hands raised in prayer, Israel was winning the fight.

However, Moses’ hands became tired, so they put a rock in place for him to sit. Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on each side. With that help Moses was able to keep his hands raised and Israel won the battle.

This is a wonderful illustration of how we are able to persist in prayer with the help of others. Most likely when Moses was praying, he was not only asking for help with the battle, but also offering praise and thanks to God for all His blessings.

God wants us, like beloved children, to tell him how we feel and what we want. However, God knows what is best for us. In prayer, our purpose is not to control God, but rather to keep up communication with Him, and thus, deepen our relationship with Him.

In the Gospel, Jesus tells a parable (story to teach a lesson) about the importance of praying always. He describes a widow who approached a judge asking him to render a decision in her favor. He kept putting her off for a long while. However, because she persisted in making her request, the unjust
judge gave into her because she might do him some harm if he did not grant her request.
 
On the other hand, God is faithful and just, and He will respond to our requests in the way that is best for us. On our part, we need to trust that he knows us better than we know ourselves. One of my favorite prayers is: Into your loving hands, I commend myself and my loved ones. Another is from the Chaplet of Divine Mercy: “For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”

 Reflection Question:  How can I make my prayer a frequent, loving conversation with God, rather than just a time to ask for favors?


Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...

Persistencia en la Oración

En la lectura de hoy de Éxodo, tenemos una hermosa historia sobre la persistencia de Moisés en la oración. Amalek atacó a Israel, por lo que Moisés le dijo a Joshua que reuniera a un grupo de hombres y defendiera a Israel de Amalek y sus hombres. Mientras tanto, Moisés subió a la cima de una colina con Aaron y Hur. Mientras Moisés mantenía sus manos levantadas en oración, Israel estaba ganando la pelea.

Sin embargo, las manos de Moisés se cansaron, por lo que le pusieron una piedra para que se sentara. Aaron y Hur apoyaron sus manos, una a cada lado. Con esa ayuda, Moisés pudo mantener sus manos levantadas e Israel ganó la batalla.

Esta es una ilustración maravillosa de cómo podemos persistir en la oración con la ayuda de otros. Lo más probable es que cuando Moisés estaba orando, no solo estaba pidiendo ayuda con la batalla, sino también ofreciendo alabanzas y gracias a Dios por todas sus bendiciones.

Dios quiere que nosotros, como hijos amados, le digamos cómo nos sentimos y qué queremos. Sin embargo, Dios sabe lo que es mejor para nosotros. En la oración, nuestro propósito no es controlar a Dios, sino mantener la comunicación con Él, y así profundizar nuestra relación con Él.

En el Evangelio, Jesús cuenta una parábola (historia para enseñar una lección) sobre la importancia de orar siempre. Describe a una viuda que se acercó a un juez y le pidió que tomara una decisión a su favor. Siguió posponiéndola durante mucho tiempo. Sin embargo, debido a que ella persistió en hacer su pedido, lo injusto el juez se entregó a ella porque podría hacerle algún daño si él no le concedía su pedido.
 
Por otro lado, Dios es fiel y justo, y responderá a nuestras solicitudes de la mejor manera para nosotros. Por nuestra parte, debemos confiar en que él nos conoce mejor que nosotros mismos. Una de mis oraciones favoritas es: En tus manos amorosas, me encomiendo a mí y a mis seres queridos. Otro es de la Coronilla de la Divina Misericordia: “Por el bien de su dolorosa pasión, ten piedad de nosotros y del mundo entero”.


 Pregunta de Reflexión: 
  ¿Cómo puedo hacer de mi oración una conversación frecuente y amorosa con Dios, en lugar de solo un momento para pedir favores?


Comments:
Stephanie Morris, Ph. D, Historian, Certified Archivist, emerita


If we say the “Morning Offering,” then everything we do or say during the day is offered to God.  We don’t have to say the Rosary as we walk up and down the aisles in the grocery store, but we can thank God for the farmers who provided the food. After we buy the food and are walking to our car, we can simply say “Thank you that I could buy this food.” If we recall that God is constantly with us, and that we are in His presence at all times, prayer does not have to be formal.  We are chatting with a dear Friend, our Protector, our Savior. We can be ourselves and speak frankly (He has heard worse!).  As a young woman, St. Katharine reminded herself to say a prayer whenever a clock struck. Prayer can be a spontaneous act, like the “growth of a flower, the singing of a bird.” Make up your own song and sing it spontaneously to God.



Pat Chiaffa, ASBS

Sr. Annette,
The words of your favorite prayer, “Into your loving hands…,” transport me to San Alfonso Retreat Center, located in Long Branch, New Jersey. Situated on the beach is a large crucifix that bears the crucified body of Christ. The cross stands between two large stone monuments that bear the words of our beloved Savior, “Into Your hands, I commend my Spirit.” The backdrop of this poignant memorial is ocean and sky, which naturally calls one to reverence and awe.
My prayer, all too often, has been a monologue where I talk, hope that God is listening and impatiently await Him to deliver on my requests. This approach never resulted in a deepened relationship with God.
The following excerpt, from an online article in Guideposts (https://www.guideposts.org/faith-and-prayer/prayer-stories/pray-effectively/5-ways-to-make-your-prayers-a-conversation-with-god), suggests five steps that contribute to developing a loving, trusting relationship with God.
1.  Listen
If your prayer time is just talk, talk, talk, you’re unlikely to hear God’s voice. But if you spend some time in silence, you might be surprised at what you hear God say.
2.  Journal
Writing your prayers transforms them. The act of writing slows you down and allows more room for reflection. You can also look back at what you have prayed in the past and see when and how God has answered.
3.  Read
One of the main ways God speaks in prayer is through reading—but not just any kind of reading. I have learned to read the Bible more slowly and thoughtfully when I pray than at other times. I have also learned that certain books—such as A. W. Tozer’s The Pursuit of God and Teresa of Avila’s The Way of Perfection—foster interior conversations between God and me.
4.  Ask Questions
Few people ask God questions in prayer, maybe because they don’t intend (or know how) to wait for an answer. But asking questions—whether aloud or in writing—is one of the best ways to cultivate a conversation. You might ask things like, “Where are you leading me today?” or “What would you like to bring to my attention right now?”
5.  Wait
King David once wrote, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly” (Psalm 5:3, NIV). That’s a key to dialogue in prayer—waiting expectantly. Too often we lay our requests before God and then rush off to our next appointment or task. But dialogue includes waiting expectantly—giving God space to respond, listening for His voice, hoping for His answer.
New to me is step 4 – asking questions. I really like incorporating inquiry into prayer. I find myself being more present to my daily activities as I intentionally seek to be aware of possible responses.  Engaging these steps naturally slows us down, leads us into a more mindful state of being in which we get in touch with our soul, with our true longings.
I recently returned from a retreat at San Alfonso. The theme of the weekend was “A Call to Holiness.” Throughout the conferences and integrated into communal prayer was the reflective question, “Am I becoming the person God created me to be?” It is a good question to add to step four.
 “Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.” Psalm 25:4