Today's Gospel Reflection

Here's a reflection on today's Gospel passage, again from what I shared at Quellen Center:

May 30, 2007
Wednesday Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Mark 10:32-45

Today’s Gospel is not the happiest of readings, yet as it unfolds it clearly relates to this week’s Gospel passages, all of which in some way speak to the sacred call and invitation that are extended to each of us.

In this reading, Jesus explains to the disciples what will happen to Him, foretelling His passion, death, and resurrection. Then two disciples put Jesus in a somewhat peculiar situation asking Him to promise to do what they ask and then proceed to ask to be seated at Jesus’ right and left, positions representing places of great importance. Jesus responds by questioning whether they really understand what it is they are asking, whether they understand the real price of discipleship at that level of depth.

“Can you drink of the chalice that I will drink? Can you be baptized with the baptism with which I will be baptized?” he asks before proceeding to offer them a different model to seek after. Jesus continues, “Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.” That is the chalice of which Jesus drank, the Baptism into which He was baptized.

What exactly is it that God asks of me? In following Jesus at the greatest level of intimacy, am I ready to be a servant to others? Am I ready to be slave to all? These roles are so contrary to our culture and society. How does one embrace them in today’s world? How can I embrace them? Our call is to be bread for those who hunger, drink for those who thirst, Gospel love for all with whom we come into contact. Am I willing to be poured out for others for the sake of the Gospel?

Prayer:

Jesus, you make it clear to me that you are calling me to place my existence at the service of others, to allow myself to be poured out for others’ well-being so that I may be filled with you. Grant me true generosity of spirit so that I may respond freely and lovingly to your invitation to be bread for the hungry, wine for the thirsty, Your love for all people.

Jubilee Time!

It's that time of year -- JUBILEE time for many religious communities!

Here is an image of happy faces, a group of Dominican Sisters, Mission San Jose Dominicans, celebrating Jubilee!



Click here for more information on religious life with these Sisters.

What Famous Photographer Are You?

Which famous photographer are you?

Henri Cartier-Bresson: Known for street photography and photojournalism

"We are passive onlookers in a world that moves perpetually. Our only moment of creation is that 1/125th of a second when the shutter clicks, the signal is given, and motion is stopped..."

This quiz comes by way of Sister Claire Joy. Stop by her blog and say "hi!"

Today's Gospel Reflection

Here's the reflection I shared via Quellen Center for today's gospel:

May 29, 2007
Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Mark 10:28-31

I’ll admit it: Sometimes I am Peter in this Gospel, reminding Jesus of my commitment to Him and pointing out what I’ve given up in the process. Quickly I am brought back to reality as I hear Jesus’ reply to Peter, assuring that those who sacrifice for the sake of Gospel will receive in this life a bounty of gifts including persecutions (and later eternal life). Wow, quite a mix of blessings! Am I crazy to think of the promised persecutions as blessings? Perhaps it seems so at first glance, but not really. The persecutions promised in this passage, I’ve come to learn, can be seen as opportunities for grace, chances to bear witness to the Gospel, moments in which we can reinvigorate the courage and conviction with which we profess our most fundamental beliefs. The persecutions, many of them small pokes in the ribs of daily living, are opportunities we can use to renew our consciousness of the Church as the Living Body of Christ and be reminded yet again that we are not alone. As the words of a song sung by the singer Dana state, “We are one Body, one Body in Christ, and we do not stand alone!” What a perfect reminder in these days following Pentecost: we are not alone, we stand together, and the Spirit of God is among and within us!

Prayer:
Loving God, grant that Your Living Body may be a recognizable sign of Your presence among and within all people. Let us remember that are united as one in You and we are together on this journey.

Memorial Day Memoriam

The Times of Trenton (NJ) offered the following tribute to those U.S. servicepeople and civilians with ties to New Jersey and Bucks County, PA who've given their lives in service of the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Regardless of one's views on the wars, the sacrifice of these individuals should be remembered:

In memoriam
Sunday, May 27, 2007

On this Memorial Day weekend, it is fitting to call the roll of the 95 service members and two civilians with ties to New Jersey and Bucks County, Pa., who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Sgt. Sameer A.M. Rateb, Absecon
Spc. Eric G. Palacios Rivera, Atlantic City
1st Lt. Ashley L. Hutchinson Huff, Belle Meade
Lance Cpl. Michael A. Schwartz, Carlstadt
Lance Cpl. Christopher B. Cosgrove III, Cedar Knolls
Airman 1st Class Carl Jerome Ware Jr., Glassboro
Pvt. Eric R. Wilkus, Hamilton
Sgt. Michael R. Hullender, Little Falls
Staff Sgt. Vincenzo Romeo, Lodi
Pfc. Joe L. Baines, Newark
Pfc. Donald S. Brown, Succasunna
Pfc. Vincent M. Frassetto, Toms River
Cpl.Thomas E. Saba, Toms River
1st Lt. Travis L. Manion, Doylestown, Pa.
1st Lt. Colby J. Umbrell, Doylestown, Pa.
Spc. Maurice J. Johnson, Levittown, Pa.
Sgt. Jae S. Moon, Levittown, Pa.
Pfc. Nathaniel E. DeTample, Morrisville, Pa.
Spc. William J. Maher III, Yardley, Pa.
Sgt. Allen J. Dunckley, Yardley, Pa.
Chief Warrant Officer John A. Quinlan, father resides in Bradley Beach
Staff Sgt. Robert J. Chiomento, Fort Dix
Sgt. Steven Checo, Elizabeth
Cpl. Michael Edward Curtin, Howell
Spc. Benjamin W. Sammis, West Long Branch
Staff Sgt. Terry W. Hemingway, Willingboro
Spc. Gil Mercado, Paterson
Spc. Narson B. Sullivan, North Brunswick
Spc. Kyle A. Griffin, Emerson
Sgt. 1st Class Gladimir Philippe, Linden
Spc. Richard P. Orengo, Perth Amboy
1st Sgt. Christopher D. Coffin, Somerville
Petty Officer 1st Class David M. Tapper, Atco
Capt. Brian R. Faunce, Ocean
Staff Sgt. Fredrick L. Miller Jr., Jackson
Spc. Simeon Nathaniel Hunte, Essex
2nd Lt. Richard Torres, Passaic
Sgt. Joel Perez, Newark
Spc. Marlon P. Jackson, Jersey City
Spc. Ryan Travis Baker, Browns Mills
Maj. Steven Plumhoff, Neshanic Station
Staff Sgt. Thomas A. Walkup, Millville
Spc. Marc S. Seiden, Brigantine
2nd Lt. Seth J. Dvorin, Pennington
Pfc. Bruce Miller Jr., Orange
Spc. Adam D. Froehlich, Pine Hill
2nd Lt. John Thomas Wroblewski, Oak Ridge
Lance Cpl. Philip E. Frank, Cliffwood Beach
Spc. Frank K. Rivers, Newark
Spc. Philip I. Spakosky, Browns Mills
Sgt. Frank T. Carvill, Carlstadt
Spc. Christopher M. Duffy, Brick
Sgt. Ryan E. Doltz, Mine Hill
Sgt. Humberto F. Timoteo, Newark
Chief Warrant Officer Nicholas P. DiMona II, Barrington
Sgt. Alan D. Sherman, Ocean
Cpl. Terry Holmes Ordoñez, Paterson
Lance Cpl. Vincent M. Sullivan, Chatham
Spc. Anthony J. Dixon, Lindenwold
Michael Yury Tarlavsky, Clifton, with the Army Special Forces
Spc. Yoe M. Aneiros, Newark
Spc. Bryan L. Freeman, Lumberton
Cpl. Marc T. Ryan, Gloucester City
Pfc. Stephen Benish, Linden
Spc. David P. Mahlenbrock, Maple Shade
Lance Cpl. Brian P. Parrello, West Milford
Sgt. 1st Class Paul Karpowich, trained in Pennsauken
Spc. Alain Kamolvathin, Blairstown
Sgt. Stephen Sherman, Neptune
Cpl. Sean P. Kelly, Pitman
Lance Cpl. Harry Raymond Swain IV, Millville
Pfc. Min Soo Choi, River Vale
Capt. Sean Grimes, whose mother resides in Dover
Maj. Steven W. Thornton, based at Fort Monmouth
Pvt. Robert C. White III, Camden
Maj. John Charles Spahr, Cherry Hill
Staff Sgt. Anthony Lee Goodwin, Mount Holly
Lance Cpl. Jourdan L. Grez, Long Branch
Paul M. Johnson, Eagleswood, civilian
Thomas Jaichner, Burlington City, civilian
Staff Sgt. Jeremy A. Brown, whose mother lives in West Orange
Spc. Armer N. Burkart, Blairstown
Pfc. Ryan D. Christensen, whose mother lives in Brick
Lt. Col. Terrence K. Crowe, a member of the U.S. Army Reserve in Lodi
Sgt. 1st Class Michael Egan, whose mother resides in Pennsauken
Sgt. Clarence L. Floyd, whose mother resides in Newark
Capt. James M. Gurbisz, Eatontown
Staff Sgt. Edward Karolasz, Kearny
Spc. Gennaro Pellegrini Jr., whose father resides in Wildwood
Capt. Charles D. Robinson, Haddon Heights
Lance Cpl. Edward A. Schroeder, South Orange
Staff Sgt. Stephen J. Sutherland, West Deptford
2nd Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, Howell
Staff Sgt. Christian Longsworth, Newark
Sgt. Matthew Fenton, Little Ferry

Towards a Seamless Ethic of Life

This is courtesy of LifeNews and reminds us of the call we all bear to live out respect for life in all facets of our living:

NCAA Will Review Pregnancy Policy After Student Athletes Get Abortions

Memphis, TN (LifeNews.com) -- After several colleges came under fire for revoking the scholarships of student athletes who become pregnant, which pressured them into having abortions, the NCAA says it plans to review its policies. The college athletic organization says its women in sports committee will review the problem. Janet Kittell, the head of the NCAA's committee on women's athletics, told the Associated Press that her panel will hold a hearing on the issue in July. "We want to act judiciously here," Kittell told AP. "I don't think it calls for emergency legislation, but I think it calls for a thorough discussion and thoughtful response." The problems came to light after ESPN did an investigative story on how students at the University of Memphis and Clemson University lost scholarships over their pregnancies. The report included interviews with seven Clemson University students who said they felt coerced into having abortions to keep the athletic money. Kittell, an associate athletic director at Indiana University, said she did not expect any actions taken against the two colleges over the situations there. "I would never approve of, sanction or defend that process," she said. Typically colleges and universities do not have formal rules on pregnancy and scholarships, which leaves many students confused as to what will happen should they become pregnant. Some students wind up making decisions based only on verbal threats or promises that may have no weight. "If it's not written down, you really don't have a policy," Melissa Harwood-Rom, an associate athletic director at the University of Arkansas, said. Her school recently put a policy on paper that is considered the first of its kind. The NCAA has no general rules on how colleges should treat pregnant athletes but it allows students to apply for an extra year of eligibility which would not count as a redshirt year but would allow girls who become pregnant to attend college an extra year and stay in school for six years and compete for four. Read the complete story.

This can be a challenge for Catholic high schools who have pregnancy expulsion policies. What might a young woman do to avoid expulsion if she finds herself pregnant? She might opt for an abortion. As promoters of life, we have to consider how we work to make protecting life possible and a viable choice for those facing an unplanned pregnancy.

Today's Gospel Reflection

Here's my reflection for today:

Monday Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Mark 10:17-27

Usually when I hear this passage, I imagine myself as the person in the Gospel running up to Jesus with a burning question. This time I find myself as one of the disciples observing what is happening, listening to Jesus speak to the person approaching and wondering what Jesus’ words mean for me and my life. My focus turns to Jesus’ explanation of the person’s hasty departure after being invited to sell his possessions, give the proceeds to the poor, and follow Jesus. Jesus makes it clear that entering the Kingdom of God is not easy and actually from a solely human perspective is nearly impossible. Yet he assured the disciples then just as He assures us still today that with God all things are possible.

How many times have I considered a person or a situation beyond salvation, beyond redemption? How many times have I been frustrated by not being able to fix a problem or make a situation right? Today’s Gospel reminds me that because of God and with God there are no truly impossible situations nor are their unredeemable people. For us alone, people may be difficult and situations may seem impossible, but with God, all is possible, if we let God be God.

Prayer:

God of all, You assure me that with You nothing is impossible and all can be saved. Yet my human nature sometimes overcomes me and leaves me feeling frustrated over the people, places, and circumstances that I cannot fix. Remind me that You are ever present, caring for your people and creation at all times, ready, willing, and able to make the impossible possible, to save who and what seem unredeemable. Allow me to trust You unreservedly and surrender these worries, fears, and frustrations to Your providential care. Let me let you be God and help me to let go and allow Your grace to move.

Gospel Reflections

Pentecost Blessings!

This week I've vesseled the weekly Gospel reflections for Quellen Center and thought I'd also share them here.

Pentecost Sunday, May 27, 2007
John 20:19-23

Reflection:

The disciples were gathered together in their fear. They locked the doors, attempting to keep out what they believed might harm them. They felt alone and did not know what the future held. Yet as He promised, in their hour of greatest need, Jesus came to them. He made His presence among them known by standing in their midst and extending a familiar greeting of peace. With that, the disciples were filled with joy to know that Jesus was with them. He again extended peace to them and then commissioned them to go forth in the same way that the Father had sent Him into the world. In doing that, he also gave a sacred mission to His living body, the Church, and on Pentecost we gather as Church to remember that sacred moment and the gift of the Spirit that he gave to be with us at every moment and in every circumstance. In addition, with the closing lines of this passage, Jesus gifts us with the Sacrament of Reconciliation, another reminder of His ever present presence with us through the sacramental mysteries of the Church.

Today I contemplate the times when I am afraid and lock the doors of my heart, attempting to keep distance from things or people that might harm, confront, or challenge me. Like He did for the disciples, Jesus wants to be present to me in those moments and extend to me His gift of peace. Am I open to accepting His gift? Am I willing to hold His gift and enable it to reach others through me? Even when I try to lock out Jesus, I need to recognize that He remains with me, extending His peace and offering His embrace especially when I most need it. Even in those moments of my aloneless and fear, He also sends me just as He sent the disciples and the Father sent Him. Do I hear that call? Do I respond in openness, selflessness, and trust? Do I receive the gift of the Spirit that Jesus gives, and do I celebrate the many ways in which Jesus continues to makes His presence known in and through the Church and its sacraments?

Prayer:

Spirit of God, despite my fear and hesitation, enable me at all times and in every circumstance to accept the gifts you give me. Free me from the locked doors that isolate me from others and fill me with Your love so that I might readily and constantly share that same love with others. Permit me to receive your love, healing, and forgiveness and to extend those same gifts to others.

Come Holy Spirit,

fill the hearts of Your faithful

and enkindle in us the fire of Your love.

Send forth Your Spirit and

we shall be recreated

and we shall renew

the face

of the earth!

A Smile for the Soul

These little tidbits might be considered from the wisdom of children. These were sent to me by a dear Sister-friend who was my teacher in elementary school. I hope it also puts a smile on your face. In part the message read:

PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE WORDING AND SPELLING. IF YOU KNOW THE BIBLE EVEN A LITTLE, YOU'LL FIND THIS HILARIOUS! IT COMES FROM A CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEST KIDS WERE ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS. THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS ABOUT THE BIBLE WERE WRITTEN BY CHILDREN. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RETOUCHED OR CORRECTED. INCORRECT SPELLING HAS BEEN LEFT IN.

1. IN THE FIRST BOOK OF THE BIBLE, GUINESSIS. GOD GOT TIRED OF CREATING THE WORLD SO HE TOOK THE SABBATH OFF.

2. ADAM AND EVE WERE CREATED FROM AN APPLE TREE. NOAH'S WIFE WAS JOAN OF ARK. NOAH BUILT AN ARK AND THE ANIMALS CAME ON IN PEARS

3. LOTS WIFE WAS A PILLAR OF SALT DURING THE DAY, BUT A BALL OF FIRE DURING THE NIGHT.

5. SAMPSON WAS A STRONGMAN WHO LET HIMSELF BE LED ASTRAY BY
A JEZEBEL LIKE DELILAH.

6. SAMSON SLAYED THE PHILISTINES WITH THE AXE OF THE APOSTLES.

7. MOSES LED THE JEWS TO THE RED SEA WHERE THEY MADE UNLEAVENED BREAD WHICH IS BREAD WITHOUT ANY INGREDIENTS .

9. THE FIRST COMMANDMENTS WAS WHEN EVE TOLD ADAM TO EAT THE APPLE.

10 THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT IS THOU SHALT NOT ADMIT ADULTERY.

11. MOSES DIED BEFORE HE EVER REACHED CANADA . THEN JOSHUA LED THE HEBREWS IN THE BATTLE OF GERITOL.

12. THE GREATEST MIRICLE IN THE BIBLE IS WHEN JOSHUA TOLD HIS SON TO STAND STILL AND HE OBEYED HIM.

13. DAVID WAS A HEBREW KING WHO WAS SKILLED AT PLAYING THE LIAR. HE FOUGHT THE FINKELSTEINS, A RACE OF PEOPLE WHO LIVED DURING BIBLICAL TIMES.

14. SOLOMON, ONE OF DAVIDS SONS, HAD 300 WIVES AND 700 PORCUPINES.

15. WHEN MARY HEARD SHE WAS THE MOTHER OF JESUS, SHE SANG THE MAGNA CARTA.

16. WHEN THE THREE WISE GUYS FROM THE EAST SIDE ARRIVED HEY FOUND JESUS IN THE MANAGER.

17. JESUS WAS BORN BECAUSE MARY HAD AN IMMACULATE CONTRAPTION.

18. ST. JOHN THE BLACKSMITH DUMPED WATER ON HIS HEAD.

19. JESUS ENUNCIATED THE GOLDEN RULE, WHICH SAYS TO DO UNTO OTHERS BEFORE THEY DO ONE TO YOU. HE ALSO EXPLAINED A MAN
DOTH NOT LIVE BY SWEAT ALONE.

20. IT WAS A MIRICLE WHEN JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD AND MANAGED TO GET THE TOMBSTONE OFF THE ENTRANCE.

21. THE PEOPLE WHO FOLLOWED THE LORD WERE CALLED THE 12 DECIBELS.

22. THE EPISTELS WERE THE WIVES OF THE APOSTLES.

23. ONE OF THE OPPOSSUMS WAS ST. MATTHEW WHO WAS ALSO A TAXIMAN.

24. ST. PAUL CAVORTED TO CHRISTIANITY, HE PREACHED HOLY ACRIMONY WHICH IS ANOTHER NAME FOR MARRAIGE.

25. CHRISTIANS HAVE ONLY ONE SPOUSE. THIS IS CALLED MONOTONY .

A Sacred Call

from the Sisters of Christian Charity website .

Click for more information on living Jesus each and every day as a Sister of Christian Charity!

A Gift

A Prayer For You

This was sent to me by a friend:

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day, I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. And it's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak... Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those that will delete this without sharing it with others I pray for those that don't believe. But I thank you that I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace , love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it. God, I love you and I need you, come into my heart, please.

Already the Middle of May?

Wow! Where has the time gone? I cannot believe it's been just over a month since I've posted on my blog. Definitely not like me to be so quiet, but it's been a challenging month. Not all bad, but quite demanding.

There've been some highlights including the annual renewal of covenant for our Companions of Pauline (lay associates). Always such a special day! The celebrant for the Eucharistic Liturgy was Fr. Paul Manning, president of Morris Catholic High School. His homily was so rich yet so accessible. The foundational point was quite striking -- our permanent nesting place is in the hollow of God's hand!

In early May, I had the opportunity to attend a conference sponsored by the National Consortium on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts. The focus of the conference was on youth and the juvenile justice system. I had the opportunity as part of the conference to visit and observe Brooklyn Treatment Court which also serves youthful offenders aged 16-19 who use marijuana and alcohol. The Drug Court model is a comprehensive wholistic model that recognizes drug use/abuse as an addiction that needs to be treated in addition to rehabilitation for the crime committed. If you aren't familiar with it, I recommend learning a bit more about it. The results of well-run drug courts are not only impressive but downright encouraging. The New York court system runs the Brooklyn Treatment Court as part of its problem solving courts, and BTC was one of the original drug courts in the country and remains an international model.

Well, that's about it for now as I have to head out for Ascension Thursday liturgy. I will try to catch up further these next few days. In the meantime, know that you are in prayers.

Thanks for visiting, and talk again soon!