Sunday Scripture - Reflection for May 12, 2024Gospel Reflection: May 12, 2023 - Seventh Sunday of Easter John 17:11b-19 “Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth.” Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI tells the story of a doctor going out to dinner with her spouse. They are sharing a lovely meal in a fine restaurant when suddenly, a few tables over, another patron clutches his chest and passes out. In that moment, even though the doctor and her spouse may be having an important conversation about their children, an upcoming getaway, or how to address the situation of a leak in their roof, by virtue of the Hippocratic Oath, she has been consecrated to drop everything and help the man who has passed out. In baptism, we are consecrated, too, and this Gospel passage reminds us that it’s God’s truth we are set aside to personify. Early on in our Christian journeys, we learn that God is love. So, how do you personify love? When you wake up in the middle of the night to feed a hungry baby. When you buy lunch for the unhoused person sitting on the curb outside the gas station. And when you spend time caring for an elderly parent. My husband has a morning ritual that reminds him of his “consecration.” As he puts his wallet in his pocket, places his wedding ring on his left hand, and grabs his keys, he reminds himself that he has been set aside to care for his wife and family, provide for them through his job, and to keep our home safe. What are you consecrated for, and do you recognize it as living out God’s truth? Heidi Clark Wildflowers Community Houston, TX
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GatheringBy Tammy Townsend Denny, TI Executive Director Have you registered for the Gathering in Houston? The deadline is approaching quickly! (Scroll down for the link to register). The Gathering Committee has worked diligently for many months to create an exciting weekend for you, featuring speakers Robin Hebert, Sister Francis Bisland, COS, and Sister Sarah Simmons, CSJ. To hear one of our speakers, consider listening to “What Sisters Read” on the podcast Beyond The Habit. In this April 9 episode, Sister Sarah Simmons talks with Sister Erin McDonald and Sister Colleen Gibson about her favorite books. My guess is that some of her favorites might be your favorites, too! Click here to listen. Please remember that financial assistance is available for the Gathering. Through the generosity of the Theresian Foundation and individual Theresian benefactors, a limited number of reduced registration fees of $125 are available. Simply complete the online registration form and check the box that says you would like financial assistance. Sunday Scripture: Reflection for May 5, 2024Gospel Reading Sixth Sunday of Easter John 15:9-17 Such a beautiful and powerful reading this Sunday! God instructs us to remain in His love. We did not choose Him, but He chose us. I want to love God, but by loving Him, I must also love my neighbors. I do love them, but boy, am I quick to judge them. I try to forgive them, but I also find myself getting angry at them again and again. A harsh word is exchanged, and I ignore them; I only criticize them - like I am perfect... It’s so easy to say love the Father, but loving others, even in the Father’s name, can be tough! I am so grateful that He loves us, and Jesus, I am trying to love others without judgment, but boy, do I need your help in this department! Cindy Fontenot Women of Hope Community Lafayette, LA Sunday Scripture: Reflection for April 28, 2024Scripture Reflection: April 28, 2024 - Fifth Sunday of Easter John 15:1-8 Jesus used many metaphors from nature in His teachings. In today’s Gospel, St. John recalls Jesus’s teaching His disciples that “I am the vine, you are the branches.” Remaining connected to the vine and being pruned to bear fruit would have been easily understood by the agrarian communities of the time. This gospel passage reminded me of Psalm 1 from the Old Testament, which also used nature imagery. The basic message is simple: remain connected to God to prosper and bear fruit. Reflection on Psalm 1, verse 3 He is like a tree planted near running water That yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Lord, plant me like a tree near your Living Water that I may prosper and grow strong. As a tree grows green and leafy, budding forth with the promise of fruit, grow me in faith and love and fruitfulness. Prune my errant branches, fertilize my soul and spirit, let me drink of Your essence. Anne Broussard Esprit de L'ame Lafayette, LA God is with usBy Tammy Townsend Denny, TI Executive Director Many years ago, during a particularly difficult time in my life, a friend shared with me something that her Spanish grandmother used to tell her: God is even in the toilet. Before you take offense, please let me explain: My friend shared her grandmother’s words with me not to disrespect the sacred divinity of the Almighty, but rather to remind me that God is always with me, even in the bathroom. God is there in the most challenging, painful, horrible times and in the most average, every day, mundane moments. Divine Love never abandons us. I was reminded of my friend’s words this week when the professor for one of my Master of Divinity courses opened class by reading the essay “God is on the Bathroom Floor.” In this essay, the author, who goes by the moniker Nightbirde, writes about her cancer diagnosis. She shares: “The bathroom floor became my place to hide, where I could scream and be ugly; where I could sob and spit and eventually doze off, happy to be asleep, even with my head on the toilet… Call me bitter if you want to—that’s fair. Count me among the angry, the cynical, the offended, the hardened. But count me also among the friends of God. For I have seen Him in rare form. I have felt His exhale, laid in His shadow, squinted to read the message He wrote for me in the grout: ‘I’m sad too.’” She goes on to write, “Even on days when I’m not so sick, sometimes I go lay on the mat in the afternoon light to listen for Him. I know it sounds crazy, and I can’t really explain it, but God is in there—even now. I have heard it said that some people can’t see God because they won’t look low enough, and it’s true. If you can’t see him, look lower. God is on the bathroom floor.” I encourage you to take the time to read this powerful essay of lament (click here to read “God is on the Bathroom Floor”) and this stirring reminder that God is with us. P.S. And here’s a song reminder that God is indeed with us. Sunday Scripture: Reflection for April 21, 2024Scripture Reflection: April 21, 2024 - Fourth Sunday of Easter John 10:11-18 “I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me.” In Jesus’ time, sheep were kept together overnight in a communal paddock so one shepherd could keep all of them safe. Then, in the morning, all the shepherds would come to the gate and call their sheep to follow them. So, while shepherds had to recognize their sheep, it was also important that the sheep know the voice of their master. Today’s Gospel reading reminded me of a time when my husband and I had been married about 10 years. We were helping lead a retreat for engaged couples when the most amazing thing happened. We heard the voice of God. Let me explain. For quite a while, we’d been struggling with how to see our way through a difficult situation. Repeatedly, we’d pray for direction, but it seemed like all God was giving us was a whole lot of nothing. So, there we were at the retreat center sitting on our favorite wooden bench. We’d each spent some time praying separately and had returned to sit side-by-side. And that’s when it happened. One of us asked, “What if we give up trying to control the outcome and trust that God will provide for whatever we need?” That’s all it took. We’d been trying to control every possibility to ensure we’d get our way and that “nothing” we thought we were getting was actually a whispered, “No,” from the Good Shepherd. There, on our favorite bench, we understood that the answer to our prayer might not be what we’d pictured and it would still be okay—maybe even an outrageous blessing—because we knew the voice of the Good Shepherd when we heard it. And we listened. Heidi Clark Wildflowers Community League City, Texas Sunday Scripture - Reflection for April 14, 2024Scripture Reflection: April 14, 2024 – the 3rd Sunday of Easter Acts 3:13-15, 17-19 1 Jn 2:1-5a Lk 24:35-48 Generally, two of the Sunday readings share a similar theme. In today’s reading all three mention the word repent. And why not? Jesus just died for of our sins and we are called to repentance. The Catholic Church offers us the opportunity to receive the grace of God’s mercy in the sacrament of Reconciliation. However, a recent survey by RealClear Opinion Research showed that 37% of Catholics went to confession less than once per year, and 35% said they never do. Some believers, of all religions, will say that Jesus died to forgive our sins so we don’t need to confess our sins to a Priest. But why wouldn’t you want to? If you knew that you could talk to someone who is there “In Persona Christi” in the person of Christ, and he would never tell anyone else, not judge you, not laud it over you, forgive you unconditionally, and continue to love you as much as he always has, who wouldn’t want to take advantage of that special relationship? “Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away.” Acts 3:19 Martha Durio Ebbtide Community Sugar Land, TX Be AmazedBy Tammy Townsend Denny, TI Executive Director My husband and I traveled to rural Indiana on Monday to watch the solar eclipse. In a small city park in a tiny middle-of-nowhere town, we joined with others who had journeyed from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the house down the street to gaze at the sun and the moon’s performance. At the moment of totality, when the moon completely covered the sun, we removed our protective eclipse glasses and gazed at the fiery black disk above us (totality is the only time it is safe to look at the eclipse without eye protection). My husband was deeply moved by seeing the power and beauty of the sun’s corona. For me, the moment was punctuated by the change in light and temperature. The horizon emitted a sunset-like glow in all directions. Streetlights turned on. Stars appeared in the sky. The air temperature dropped dramatically. The light, as we are accustomed to experiencing it, morphed into a strangeness I don’t quite have words to describe. The compass by which we orient our lives was gone for three minutes. As spectacular as a total solar eclipse is, what has stuck with me are all the images I have seen on social media of people looking skyward from rooftops, parking lots, backyards, and fields. For just a moment, people stepped outside and looked up in awe and wonder. We paused. We looked up. And we were amazed. I keep wondering if maybe the eclipse was an invitation from God, a reminder to pause, look up, and be amazed. Sunday Scripture - Reflection for April 7, 2024Scripture Reflection: April 7, 2024 – Divine Mercy Sunday Jn 20:19-31 Happy Divine Mercy Sunday!!!! Today is one of my favorite days of the year. It marks the end of the Divine Mercy Novena. This novena gave me peace last year as I watched the passing of three people whom I loved. Watching someone pass can be traumatic. As Thomas was human, he could not fathom Jesus being able to overcome his crucifixion. How many of us can be unbelievers like Thomas? We have to see for ourselves before we believe. But just like the wind, we cannot see it but we can feel it. I have been intrigued with Divine Mercy ever since my mom introduced it to me. I was with my mom and sisters when I told all of them together about my diagnosis. My mom stopped and said let’s pray. She said the Divine Mercy prayer. I can remember her saying “in difficult moments we might not despair – nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will which is love and mercy itself”. This left me speechless. Our crosses in life can bring us to our knees. It brings us closer to Christ who sacrificed it all for us. And we should “Give thanks to the Lord for his is good, his love is everlasting. I was hard pressed and was falling, but the Lord helped me. My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior.” – Psalm 118 If I listen closely, I will use your words If I listen closely, I will use your thoughts If I listen closely, I will use your actions Lord, give me the words, thoughts and actions that I may help others see You, hear You, and love You with all of our hearts. Jane Dupuis Labbie Roses of Grace, Community in formation Breaux Bridge, LA A Reflection on the Dimension of Community by Millie Foster, Still Waters Community, Fort Bend, Texas Joy comes to mind when exploring Community. We have our individual communities, we come together as district communities and international communities. Community is our foundation. Community can fulfill the “Five Love Languages” developed by Gary Chapman on how we give and receive love.
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