Flourishing in the Midst of the Cross

A quote from Catherine McAuley;

We go on, flourishing in the very midst of the cross.

When Catherine wrote this, there had been several deaths along with other pressures and stresses at her door. Yet, in the middle of all her turmoil she was able to see flourishing. Indeed, the fledgling community was flourishing. As someone died, there seemed to be two others to take her place. The stresses would be tempered with a bountiful gift in the form of good advice or some other event to put it in perspective.

What could we learn from that? Sometimes we are so much into the stress we forget there are also so many blessings going on at the same time. It's hard to see, if the baby is sick, the spouse laid off and the bills getting bigger and bigger. Sometimes just having to do finals and that big paper that has been put off, can seem insurmountable. Yet, if we could have a little distance, a little more perspective, we could see that we are indeed flourishing.

So goes for religious life. We hear all sorts of things, diminished numbers, aging and letting go. Yet the spirit is so alive, maybe even more today than at any other time. There is flourishing in the middle of all the other "stuff'" of our lives. Let us look for that part today as we go about the work and life we lead. I know I will.

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Preserve Union and Peace

A quote from Catherine McAuley;

Preserve union and peace.
Do this and your happiness will be so great as to cause you to wonder.

When we live in community, sometimes we can nitpick each others faults and failing or little idiosyncrasies causing a bit of discord and tension in the house. It is not as if we are looking to find big faults, but actually the little things are the things that get to people. The big stuff is often easier to handle. If we take Catherine's words seriously, we will not be the ones to find fault in others. By preserving union and peace we also live a harmonious life. It is amazing how that can happen. So today, I will not find fault in my sister or brother, in my housemate, classmate or neighbor. I will instead, look for the good in everyone and let the little stuff pass on by. I will not dwell there.

Will that be hard? Maybe. But I know I will be at peace at the end of the day. What about you?

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We are Called...to Do It.

A quote from one of our wisdom figures, Joan Buckham:

We are called not only to imagine what can be done,
but with prayer, discipline and perseverance, to do it.

If we are truly prophetic, then we need to listen to our call and open ourselves to imagination. That's not enough, though, we need to pray about it, look at how we can act and with the discipline and perseverance, do it.

I was reading The Artist's Way, a book about creativity by Julie Cameron, who has several books of creativity. One of the first tenets is to engage in creativity every day without fail. Some days may seem a waste of time, but no, in the long run it is not. We need to hone our imaginations, discipline ourselves to stick with it and have the perseverance to walk through the brain drain, the disparaging remarks from others, those who would sabotage our work and just do it. There is lot there to consider.

Today I am writing in my blogs and dialoging a prayer with the Lord ans I continue my goal of writing "2"- two of anything, just write. What could you do to hone your creativity?

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Submission to the Inevitable

A quote from one of our wisdom figures, Joanna Reagan, biographer of Catherine McAuley:


Submission to the inevitable is requisite for all who are willing to live in peace with mystery.

If we are willing to live with the mystery of what life hold for us, the only way to live it fully, walking into it, is to submit to the inevitable whether it be death, change or aging. These are big factors in my life right now.
One of our elders died last week and she has left a hole in our lives. She was a wisdom figure. Change is another that we must submit to. We cannot stop change. It all depends on whether we are pulled screaming into it or joyfully embracing it and walking with how the change could be. We have this choice. Aging is another factor. When I was much younger I could not wait to get older, to grow up. Today I want to say,"Slow down, aging!" you move too fast in my life. And yet we are only as old as our minds allow us to be. May I never reach my chronological age even if I live to be 100.
Today I am going to ponder, what else do I need to submit. Are there things in my life that I am resisting and cannot come to terms? Is there some area in my life I need to look into deeper?

What about you?

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Serve with Your Whole Heart

A quote from Catherine McAuley:

It is Jesus you love and serve with your whole heart.


Catherine was very clear that women did not come to Mercy to follow her, though she was a dynamic person, but rather to serve Jesus through the ministry of serving people. Hers was a different spirituality, one of walking with Jesus in the poor who were served. Hers was a spirituality of being on your feet; prayer in action. That did not mean she neglected times of prayer, but that prayer was enhanced by the ministry. Ministry did not take away from prayer, so she did not have the tension of contemplation verses action. She uniquely combined the two.

Today, that spirituality can be also fostered, but it takes a very clear and specific formation and learning how to blend the two. Often we do one and neglect the other to some extent. With the stresses of today, we also can do violence to ourselves or others by saying I have to take care of self first or the total opposite; we take care of others to the detriment of taking care of ourselves.

The balance is a cutting edge at times. At other times is is a very clear path. Today I will ponder what it is I am doing. How do I balance both and still have a "running with Jesus" attitude that is healthy and life-giving to myself and to others.

How about you?

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Inward Merciful Path

A quote from Patricia Ryan, one of our wisdom women of Mercy:

We are just beginning to discover the inward merciful path.

Mercy has been around for over 175 years, yet we are just beginning to tap what it means for this century. There is a renewal to really look at Catherine McAuley's legacy and her words of wisdom which seem even more appropriate for this century. It's as if we are beginning anew to discover mercy within us.

One of my favorite lines comes from, I believe our Institute president, though I am not sure she penned it. "Perhaps the best Sisters of Mercy has yet to enter!" What great hope that there is someone out there who can emulate Catherine's vision better than any of us today or in the past could ever have dreamed both individually and collectively. What hope that is for me.

Today I wish to ponder what that means as I meet and relate to so many women, both young and older. Is there in our midst the best Sister of Mercy yet to come.

Maybe as you read this, you may be drawn to say, I'd like to be her or I'd like to know her too. Let us look around and also look in our hearts.

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I Am Yours for Time and Eternity

A quote from Catherine McAuley:

My God I am yours for time and eternity.

Today we celebrate Foundation day. On this date in 1831 Catherine McAuley, Mary Ann Doyle and Elizabeth Harley professed their vows at the Presentation Convent on Georges Hill. They then returned to the House of Mercy on Baggott and commenced to begin the Sisters of Mercy.

Catherine's' Suscipe (prayer of commitment) which begins with the lines quoted above were very much on my mind today as we Sisters living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa renewed our vows. As Sisters of Mercy we take 4 vows, Poverty,Chastity, Obedience and Service to the Poor, Sick and Uneducated.

Our first Love is the Lord. Our second is service to the poor, the sick and the uneducated which we work out through the other three vows. Today I shall reflect on the history of the Sisters of Mercy, our American founder, Francis X.Warde, the Cedar Rapids founders Mothers Agatha and Gertrude , our leadership in Omaha and our Institute leaders in Silver Spring , MD.

I am also very much aware of the sisters serving in hardship places all over the world, on 6 continents and pray that our work will continue as women are called to join Mercy and be of service in the same way far into the future.

And what about you? How will you promote Mercy today?

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Faithful Provider

A quote from Catherine McAuley:

The Lord and master of our house is a faithful provider.

Sometimes we do not give our Lord enough credit for providing for us. We think of him as trying to keep us austere instead of lush and richly blessed. That is why the Advent readings are so important to us now. They consistently tell of our desert, our parchness and how the lord wants to smooth the way, take down the mountains and bring our deserts into bloom. Today I plan to reflect upon the desert areas in my life and the things of which I make into mountains and let the Lord smooth them out-in his time, not mine.

What deserts and mountains do you have in your life?

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Our Most Important Actions

A quote from Catherine McAuley:

Our most important actions are those which relate to God.

Catherine is again so practical and obvious. If our lives are centred in God, then our most important actions are those which relate to God. Now if we are centered in God all of our actions will relate to God. Is that not our goal in life, to be centered in God?

How do we relate to God? Is God friend, lover and companion? Is God judge? Is God something "out there" rather than in here (heart)? Is God a concept or a relationship?

Perhaps our most important action right now is to look at our relationship with God and determine if we need to strengthen it with prayer. Perhaps we need to ask God to come into our life and help us to live our actions in God's name. I think I will take a little time tonight before sleep to have a talk with God and ask for his help to love him more deeply, more completely that I may live his love tomorrow. What about you?

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Conversation Tips

A quote from Catherine McAuley;

Your conversations should be simple, pleasant and useful.


Once again Catherine is so practical. Our conversation should be that which edifies, encourages and is not confusing. We need to be aware to whom we are speaking and be sure we are being understood, whether it means to simplify our vocabulary, to encourage someone and that is is not a put-down, snub,or cynical.

I was talking to a young man the other day who had some very personal and honest things to say to me. As I listened,I was struck by how honest he was and how humbling it was for him, to even speak those words to me. It caused me to reflect on how I speak to others. Am I directly honest (Even if it is painful to me?) and able to speak so that I am understood not only in word but intention? It was a humbling moment for me. Those words became sacred words.

Today look at how you are speaking to people. Do you need to consider Catherine's advice?

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Humility Must Be Practical

A quote from Catherine McAuley:

Humility does not consist in words, but in acts; to be real it must be practical.

Humility, a word about which we do not hear too much today. I think that it is a virtue that is as important as patience, maybe even more because true humility remembers the Source of All and gives acknowledgement and glory to our very Source of being-God. Humility may even be more important because as we become more humble and not placing our wants and desires ahead of others and by honoring the God within the other we will become more patient. Humility is in our actions. words are important, but our actions belie our soul and our interior being. To act with humility is hard to do if you don't already have it.

Now just what is humility? It is not humiliation. It is being humble in the face of our God. It is knowing where our gifts and talents come from and giving glory to the One who created us. "It is not I, but you, O Lord who are doing all things within me." That is what humility is for me. And for you?...

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Journey Connections

This is the first of new series of reflections that I hope to share with you. Many of these will be in the form of poetry. Enjoy...

We come to this earth
connected to our souls
in touch with the eternal
until the moment of our birth.

Journey quest,
remove the barriers.
Where is my soul?
Stumble through the day,
part of the mystery.
What does the soul say?

Learning to love fully,
lavishing soulness,
erasing the blocks,
moving us to a new journey,
cycles and seasons,
ride out the storms
trust in the soul's movement.

Overcoming challenges
fears, angers,
the great disappointments
or the anguish of deep grief
where the journey may flow,
to bring us again to the dance
of the universe where
there is abundance.

It is not in doing,
but in being,
embracing life
with openness
to all that is,
the adventure of the soul
a journey of the heart.
Listen! trust!

Spiritual Advancement

A quote from Catherine McAuley;

Perhaps silence is wearying to us,
and yet our spiritual advancement is generally most promoted in the hours of silence.

Here it is a desert day, one the days we have each week on this sabbatical. It's a day of not talking, food set out for breakfast, lunch and snacks if we want. No one needs to talk, to be anywhere, or do anything. Just to be is a great blessing. This silence is not wearying. It is in fact, welcomed. We have had so many different speakers and schedules to which we must attend,it is so freeing to just take a long hour or two in prayer and reflection, take a walk or just do laundry.

Today I worked on a poetry book I am creating. It was very reflective, connected to God and to my creative side. Our desert day ends with liturgy which is a quiet liturgy, no music, no homily, just moments of silence so that we can close our day in deeper prayer. Dinner, then is a festive time as is the time afterwards.

I hope that you can have some experience of silence which is not wearying. It's the best way for God to connect to you and you to God, and it is not all that much of a task. Try it sometime. Set aside a half day of not doing anything but resting in the silence. It's great.

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Gratitude

Today I am not reflecting upon a quote from Catherine McAuley; rather since it is Thanksgiving day, here are a few nuggets of thought.



Gratitude is an attitude... I think this is one of the most important pieces of ideals to live by because it reminds us that all of life is a gift, starting with life itself. as someone once said, 'Consider the alternative." We have life, not matter how good or how bad it is. There are people in this world who have it worse than we do. Sometimes that is hard to imagine if one has gone through a loss,or live in pain or depression. our pain is real, and yet we can rise above it with an attitude of gratitude.

"If the only prayer you say is 'Thank you', that is enough." (Meister Ekhart)... We have said our prayers for years. we have asked for many things, praised God and even now and then said we were sorry. but the prayer of gratitude brings us to the realization that we have everything as gift and that God is the ultimate giver, the source of all that we have and all that we are. what a wonderful way to simply acknowledge it-thank you!.

And what are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? I started a list which we presented at out liturgy this morning filling the cornucopia with list of thanks...family, friends, community, God, health,,skills and talents, and many other things. Today make a list of 20 thing for which you you are thankful.

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Speak of God

A quote from Catherine McAuley:

Speak of God, for God and with God.

Catherine, in her practical sensibility, again says the obvious and the challenging. Speak of God; be a witness to God in your life. Speak for God; be aware of God in your life and make it known by the way you live. Speak with God; take time each day to speak with God in prayer.

To do this one has to have a relationship with God. That can only come when you have taken the time to listen, to speak and to be silent before God. You cannot speak of God if you do not know God. you cannot be a witness to God if you have not had a "God experience", something that has changed your life.
Today I will take stock of how I speak for God and of God since I already speak to God each day. I still have a long way to go to be that witness by my very words and actions. And how about you?

www.sistersofmercy.org

Are You Carrying or Pushing the Cross?

A quote from Catherine McAuley:

The promise:"My yoke is sweet and My burden light." is a conditional one; it is not made to those who drag the Cross after them, who almost push it from them.

Sometimes we do not like talking about the crosses we are burdened with and we certainly do not like carrying them! Yet, because we are human, we do have crosses to carry. The question is, are we dragging or pushing it instead of carrying it? If we think about this for a moment, there are some subtle differences.

If we drag it, it becomes our ball and chain or drudge, one we hold onto and do not lift high. If we push it, we are trying to escape it, keep it away from us as much as possible. Sometimes in pushing it we push it into the far recesses of our consciousness where it will emerge some day. If we carry it, we accept it, know it is there, lift it high in prayer and know that the Lord is taking the other end of it. The burden is so much lighter!

So today, I am going to look at the crosses in my life. Just to name them, gives me hold over them and then I will ask the Lord to carry part of then with me. Together I know we can go on, for He promised that the burden would be lighter.

What about you?

www.sistersofmercy.org

Receiving the Ungrateful

A quote from Catherine McAuley:

Mercy receives the ungrateful again and again, and is never weary in pardoning them.

I've been a teacher for a good number of years and I know that many times I have ungrateful students in my classes. Some do not care to receive correction, others do not seem to respond to kind words, others do not see the hard work put into creating a warm and caring classroom, neat and decorative. They just assume it will be there. In some ways the assuming is a good thing be cause it is a place of safety. But sometimes I have wondered if it is worth all the effort.

There are spats, words said that have been not necessarily rude, but bordering on them and yet we continue to minister to the children. As I share my philosophy, "Each day is a new day", it helps those who need a new start to have it.
I wonder, though how it is in my personal life. Do I do the same for the Sisters with whom I live? Do I do the same for my peers or co-workers or the annoying person in my life? This gives me something to ponder today as I go about the day. and what about you?

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Unseen Mortifications

A quote from Catherine McAuley:

Little unseen mortifications practiced habitually, being unknown save to God, have a great advantage over those which excite vanity by their very arduousness.


This is a quote that seems to resonate with me very easily. I am of the mind that perfection is not found in doing everything so perfectly-all the virtues- and then some, but rather in doing what you can with great love. Let God perfect it!

By doing little things, little mortifications we begin to detach ourselves from all sorts of things that can get in the way of growing in relationship with God. I don't think God is really concerned about how many time you have been impatient. I think God is more interested in how you have been patient and how you are growing in love for the other through patience. It's just a bit of a different mindset, but one with which we can connect, without guilt.

Catherine was way ahead of her time. She saw that doing the little thing was of greater benefit than the larger showy thing. Of course the showier it is, the more people notice. That in itself is a red flag that there are other motivations involved.

So today I will look at how I just do the little deprivations for a greater love-like using lukewarm water to wash my face instead of letting the water run until it is perfectly hot, or drinking the water from the tap even it if is not ice cold. There are numerous ways you could act on this if you are creative.

What can you do today to practice small mortification without being noticed? Beware, though of trying to practice them to escape people's notice only to chalk them up in some sort of competition. There is no competition, only love's higher motive.

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Politeness Begets Politeness

A quote from Catherine McAuley:

As love begets love, politeness begets politeness.

As my mother would say, "If you are nice to people. people are usually nice to you." Catherine's saying certainly has its practical side! When you expend yourself in good conduct, then you usually receive good conduct back. If you don't receive it, you still have given it and it will somehow change the person, if all it does is make them feel respected or conversely, guilty for treating you so poorly.

We don't know what goes on in the hearts and minds of a person. Just because someone is rude to you, does not mean they are terrible people, though we might think so at the time. We don't know if they have been up with a sick child all night, have a loved one dying of cancer, just come from a disturbing meeting with the boss, or just got a failing mark on a paper. If we are unfailingly polite, others will return the same to you. If not, you still have made the world a better place.

It reminds me of a saying attributed to St. Francis, "Preach the Gospel always and if necessary, use words."

Today I am going to check my "politeness factor" and see if I need to be a little more aware of how I interact with people. I am also going to give people the benefit of the doubt and if I am treated poorly, I will pray for them and their worries. What about you?

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Spend this Day in His Service

A quote from Catherine McAuley:
Often in this day raise your heart to God and beg grace to spend this day in His service.

Today we want to lift our hearts and minds to God in praise. it's so hard to do this if we are too
scattered in what we are doing. Being very busy is not necessarily lacking in raising our hearts and minds to God, but being scattered is!

We can use each activity in intention to bring us to the presence of God. For instance, while driving, I use each stop light as a "marker" to remind me to pray. For green,I start with 'thank you God", for red, I pause to pray a quick prayer for safely or to remind me to stay in the moment of quiet.

Since I am on sabbatical and do not often get to drive, I use other "markers" in my day. I am blessed with being able to take long hikes most days. the trees, the hills, the times when I stop to catch my breath, I use these as times to stop, reflect,pause in my constant thinking to be in awe of God's nature. That silent being in awe is a prayer.

As we take laundry out of the washer, slow down and allow your heart and mind to lift to the Lord. Washing dishes can be another moment as can vacuuming when you can't hear anything else anyway. Today find some "markers" in your everyday life so that you can make more and more moments sacred.

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Study Simplicity

A quote from Catherine McAuley:

Use the most correct and suitable words to express your opinions and sentiments,
but at the same time, study simplicity.

As a writer, I try to concisely write words to convey the message in a clear and articulate way without being a person who uses obtuse or verbose language. I learned that form teaching the lower elementary grades. Even in Theology study I was called a deconstructionist.

It's not that I don't have to words, but I do want to be understood. Catherine had somewhat of the same idea. Her sisters came from well-educated families, but in their work with the poor, they needed to simplify their vocabulary without be condescending.

When dealing with each other, their words were well modulated as befitting their education and style of learning, something we could do with in our society today. To me the use of profanity, though expressive of one's feeling and opinions, does not articulate well further dialogue. it actually cuts off dialogue with others.

The use of a large vocabulary is wonderful in many settings, but one does need to take care to not use words to impress or to make others feel inferior. I think that is what Catherine was trying to tell her sisters.

Today I think I will see how I use vocabulary. I am living with a well-educated group of people during this sabbatical, but I must remember that English is the second language for some of them. I can put this adage into practice even here.
And you? How about your language habits? Do they need to be more correct and suitable?

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Attention to Temptations

A quote from Catherine McAuley:

Let us pay particular attention to the duties in which we experience
temptations to sloth or weariness.

Catherine is so practical!! She does it again! What we need to do to be better is to pay attention to those jobs we hate-like dusting, ironing, sweeping the stairs, dusting or correcting a ream of papers! We also have those tedious tasks of sewing (for those of us who still do it), peeling potatoes or washing windows. I am glad to hear that her early sisters also had to have care in the tedious work they did. They were saints in the making, not saints at work. Temptation to sloth, putting off what we need to get done or those things that weary us just by thinking of having to do them are real temptations today.

I guess I will have to go clean my room and take the clothes out of the dryer before too long and get them ironed. I have a couple of bills to pay and two letters to write. The temptation to put them off is great, but I won't. This is too 'in my face" for me to put it off. I'd feel guilty. and what about you? What are you putting off today that still could be done?

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Be ever Ready to Praise

A quote from Catherine McAuley;

Be ever ready to praise, to encourage, to stimulate, but slow to censure
and still more slow to condemn.

Catherine certainly had a way to make most things quite practical! these words are quite good for us to remember 175 years later. As a teacher in lower elementary school, I have tried to live by them in my professional work. what I don't often do is live by them in my personal life. Even in my spiritual life, I find that I use them. I guess I need to practice this even more today.

As I finish my retreat this week (today is the last day), it gives me pause to see how I could be better at this and to work on it one day at a time. The political situation is just one area that I need to practice this , as are the areas of relating to the Church and to social justice issues. As the saying goes; "You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar."

today, check to see if your words are honey or vinegar. Maybe you need, like I do, an attitude change in some aspects of your life.

www.sistersofmercy.org

Peace of Mind

A retreat quote from Catherine McAuley;

If our peace of mind depends on the tone of voice, manner, words, etc., of others,
it is on their good qualities we depend, not our own.

Since I am on retreat this week,. I thought I would find a retreat quote from Catherine. I have not been able to blog as often as I would want. Sometimes I cannot get to a computer for long. We have 3 computers for 35 people so I do not get to my e-mail, much less my blogging.

This quote is a good one to reflect upon. Today we would talk about assumptions, projections and defense mechanisms when listening to another speak. Our good qualities do not depend on what others say of us and yet how easily we are influenced by them. It is a good practice to stop and really listen to what is being put into our minds. Are we building up the kingdom of God within or are we letting toxic words and actions tear us down?

We have enough negative tapes playing in our mind; we do not need any more. So today or tonight, take some quiet time and hear what God has to say to you. What are the beautiful things God wants to say to you? What are the qualities God sees in you? Make a list of 15 good qualities that you have. That doesn't mean you are better than others, but that you have those qualities. You might want to tape them to your mirror and read then each time you look into the mirror for the next ten days.

God is so eager to share what God sees in you.

www.sistersofmercy.org

Uncharitable Thought

A quote from Catherine McAuley:

I will not dwell on this uncharitable thought, because it would be displeasing to God.


Since I am on sabbatical and cannot get to a compute each day, the reading of the maxims of Catherine McAuley often fall to quiet reflection on my own. This reflection today fits into one of the sessions I am currently attending. This week we are studying the Enneagram, not as a psychological tool or a tool to use to judge others, but one that helps us to become more like God in our actions and motivations.

If God is the God of compassion and we are to model God then, our works, works and motivations are to be of compassion. To dwell on something that is uncharitable and not take care of it is acting out of our vices instead of our strengths. So often we can just complain without doing something about it. So often we just project, judge, or become negative without taking care of the problem. How often do we right an unjust act? How often do we confront the person we need to talk to in order to come to some understanding? How often do we just badmouth someone without taking time to walk in their shoes?

What could we be doing to make more compassion in the world? How can we come to right relationship and be at peace with others, ourselves and God? Today I challenge you to look at the remarks you make and do a serious study on how you are doing. Do you need to stop dwelling on the uncharitable remarks, or thoughts and become more like God in filling your world with compassion?

www.sistersofmercy.org

Politeness and Good Manners

A quote about Catherine McAuley (unknown);


Our Reverend Foundress practiced toward her sisters, naturally and simply the usages of good society, and required the strictest attention to politeness and good manners in their intercourse with each other, and wished these rules to be thoroughly taught...

Today it seems we have let our best manners go out the window and do not seem to even know when to employ them. Catherine had the idea that each sister should be very well-schooled in the graciousness and good manners of a modern lady in society and with good manners would be able to attend to anyone from the sickest and poorest to the titled person with the same respect and diffidence to make the works of mercy a work of great edification for the person as well as the sister.

There is something to be said for having great manners. One can handle any situation when when one has those manners in place, even today. Perhaps we need to take a look at the way we eat, sit, walk, drink and speak to people. We may even want to get out the latest Emily Post book on manners and review some things. Then, as we go about our days, use the manners we have been taught. They are "catching' and it will make your place in the world a bit more pleasant.

Catherine would be pleased that we still try to make the comfort of the other the basis for our good manners. I think will go check out a book today....

www.sistersofmercy.org

Let no Disturbance of Mind Appear

A quote from Catherine McAuley:
Though we cannot always feel the same, yet we can so guard our exterior as to
let no disturbance of mind appear in our manner or countenance.

When I was a novice we were taught to be recollected at all times. Well, that is quite impossible for novices in their late teens. at the time I thougth is was to keep us from being too noisy because there was a large group of us and we came in a "herd" wherever we went. a couple had heavy footsteps.

when I was older, I learned there was more to this. When you are in ministry, it behooves one to seem cool and collected while there is turmoil going on around you. it helps you todeal withirate parents, co-workers and the close quarters that caused us to "push butons".

Still later I learned that if you place your trust in God and loved people, then not much can ruffle your calmness. I think I'm getting it a bit better. it's all about having that inner peace and serenity that helps one to realize that each pice of turmoil is NOT a crisis. often remaining cool and collected does so much good. To be there, one must have a quietude of attitude that comes from a deep spirituality. I'm trying. I don't always succeed, but there is alwasy tomorrow to start again.

waht about you? How are you handling all the stuff that comes your way?
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According to Your Heart's Desire

A quote from Catherine McAuley:

Mortify in me , dear Jesus, all that is displeasing to Thee and make me according to Your own heart's desire. Amen.

I have been attending a class in my sabbatical program where we are working on what we were expected to do in our earlier years, those expectations where we were to work in a virtue and perfect it. If fact when we talk about becoming perfect we often think that it means to be without any error or sin. When we look at "being perfect as God is perfect" it is a hard act to even try to follow. It can be so discouraging since we fall, time and time again.

A different interpretation of this is to look at the whole of those passages, not just the part that is often read in liturgy. What one sees is that God is asking for compassion and love, not perfection! It was a new revelation for me. It also helped me to look at my outer life of trying to be perfect and at my spiritual life which is a personal relationship with a God who loves me just as I am.

Now today's quote says to me that are asking Jesus to make us aware of our weaknesses and to shape us according to his desires, which is with mercy and love.

So let us look at our lives to see where we are listening to God's desire for us and what is our ego or pride trying to make us better than others. It's an interesting slant on perfection and much easier to allow God to form us in mercy than to be without error.

www.sistersofmercy.org

Do Something More Each Day to Attract God's Love

A quote from Catherine McAuley:

You should endeavor each day to do something more to attract God's love and friendship, than you did the day before.

God simply loves us, no matter where we are the the spiritual journey. God is ready and waiting for us to turn in God's direction. To endeavor to do something more each day to attract God's attention isn't so necessary. God's attention is already focused on you. What we need to do is to turn each day to be aware of God's attention. In practice, it may look like we are doing something to attract God's attention, but what we really are doing is tuning our hearts, minds and body toward God's realm. god is attracting our intention (attention)!

Blessings on you as you reflect upon this. I welcome questions, reflections, comments.

www.sistersofmercy.org

May be Acceptable to Me...

A quote from Catherine McAuley:

Grant, O most Merciful Redeemer, that whatever you ordain or permit may always be acceptable to me. Amen.

Today I received a small setback that at first left me feeling sorry for myself. A pity-party was about to erupt on the scene. My inner tapes we playing big time and I had to get control of the negative thinking and turn it positive. How could I make something glaringly unjust to me ( or someones simple oversight) into a positive tape? This quote came to me quickly. Let all you permit be acceptable to me. In other words: DON'T GET BENT OUT OF SHAPE!!

There are two things that helped me. One is the phrase, 'Would this matter ten years from now?", and my sister's often-used phrase, "There's a hidden silver lining in bad things that happen." Catherine said it most simply in her quote.

Today, if things are going wrong or you feel someone has treated you unjustly, remember that the Lord is always there and with His help we can get through anything.

www.sistersofmercy.org

Deep Experiences of Prayer

A quote from Mary Bride Claire:

Our life together must allow for deep experiences of prayer.

One of the most interesting challenges in religious life is prayer. Each Sister is expected to take time each day for deep personal meditation, for community prayer and for Eucharist. These are the mainstay of religious life.

There are other devotions that Sisters also use; the rosary, holy hours, midday prayer, examin, Stations of the Cross, Divine Mercy Chaplet, novenas, 30 days' prayer and a host of others depending on the religious community.

But if you notice the one form of prayer that is not there is a sharing of our prayer with others. Faith sharing, Bible study, and prayer groups are not part of the required prayer. Yet, it is in these experiences that one grows as well in depth of prayer. Some are reluctant to share their deep faith with their peers, though they may readily do it with others.

We do not like to speak of our deepest emotions and our deepest feelings. Sometimes the words are inadequate. This, I think is a part of the human condition. But to grow and to nurture the future of religious life we are called to do it, to share and to risk in order to further the kingdom. Our life together depends upon it.

Today look where you could be doing some deep sharing-sharing your wisdom, sharing you spirituality, sharing your faith.

www.sistersofmercy.org

I Will Divide With You

A quote from Catherine McAuley;

Let me know when you are closely pressed
and I will divide with you, be it ever so little.

What a great outlook on life to have to share even if it is a small morsel! So often today we have so many things that we forget that we are to share what we have with others, no matter if it is only a piece of clothing, something from our closet or room or even our food. We have so very much and we don't want to feel like we are in want. Look at the super sized foods and drinks. We have more than what is sufficient.

This morning as I was walking early before the heat of the day, I was walking through our nearby park. One of the things I take with me is a plastic bag to collect cans and bottles that I see along the way. Sometimes there are some and sometimes there are none. We are such a throw away society and even as affluent as we are, we cannot seem to put our garbage in the garbage containers along the way. We have so little regard for others. I was reflecting today what it would be like to be too poor to have a can of soda. Could I live without soda or bottled water or any sort of bottled beverage? What if I were too poor to have this luxury?

So many in our world are. What we spend on sodas alone each day is for some their complete daily wage to feed their family.

I think I will look at Catherine's quote a little more closely and see where I can divide what I have, be it so little. I am also not going to drink cans of sodas for a while and see if I really miss them.

Maybe you could do the same.

www.sistersofmercy.org

Walk in the Garden

A quote from mother Agatha Murphy:

...When we grow old we will walk in the garden and laugh at the hardships of today.


It's been a while since I last blogged. I've been helping various people move from one house to the next, including myself. It's been a very busy July and not much time for computers, mail or even phone calls except to direct trucks, boxes and movers to move things where they needed to go.

Mother Agatha's word today would also be a reflection of what Catherine might have said had she lived long enough to be able to retire and let others take on the heavy work.

We are about so many things that the hardships of today seem to overwhelm us and yet if we could put them into perspective, we would see that they were not all that much. How much work and worry do we put in the things we do. Or as the saying goes, :Don;t sweat the small stuff." God would say, "Do not worry, I'm in charge today.."

Well, let us reflect upon what we worry about and ask this question: Would it matter eight years from now? If not, let it go!

www.sistersofmercy.org

I Would Rather Be Cold and Hungry...

A quote from Catherine McAuley:

God knows I would rather be cold and hungry than that the poor should be deprived of anything in my power to give....


Here in Cedar Rapids we are still struggling with the floods of three weeks ago. Although the water has receded,the cleanup is massive. We have people without homes without food and without resources and we have people who have all of that.

Yesterday, as i was meeting with the Sacred Circle group to which I belong we talked of what more we can do as Sisters of Mercy. We have already done a a lot, but what can the senior Sisters do? We found something that we can do for the next 6-8 months and we have energy
and experience to do it well-be listeners. It seems simple and it is. There are so many people
who are now becoming depressed and just need to talk and they face the overwhelming job of clean up for the long journey ahead.

What a way to give and it will allow us to sleep nights doing our part in this massive ordeal we have to face as a civic community.

And what can you do today for someone who is poor?

www.sistersofmercy.org

Taken the Greatest Risks

A quote from a contemporary Sister of Mercy, Jan Geason:

At times of crisis mercy people have realigned and dreamt of new ways of implementing the spirit and vision-indeed-taken the greatest risks.

Today, July 1, I awoke to a new identity. I don't feel any different,but who I am is different. I am now a Sister of Mercy of the West Midwest Community. Last night I went to bed as a Sister of Mercy of the Cedar Rapids Region.

This quote fits our new reality. Mercy is ever changing and ever new as we go forward in ministry and relationships. It's what we are about-and-we don't leave those in need behind as we go forward.

Today think of new things in your life. How do you recreate yourself anew each day?

www.sistersofmercy.org

Reason to Rejoice and Return Thanks

A quote from Catherine:

You have great reason to rejoice and return thanks to God
for blessing your humble efforts.


I look outside at the heaps of snow that are mountain sized and wonder if I will have to shovel again this week. I see the frost on the window, knowing it is 2 below zero and wonder how cold the car will be. I listen to the road report and caution our guest to not go to the northern part of the state until the roads are better. And I give thanks!
Yes, because I love snow, but that is not it. I give thanks because I am able to see the mountain of snow. One of our sisters cannot. I give thanks that I can shovel; many of our sisters are homebound because of the ice below the snow. I give thanks that it is 2 below zero because I know that the dormant trees and grasses and other plants need this to be vigorous in the spring. I give thanks that I have a car to use and don't have to walk or figure how to stay warm while waiting for the bus. I give thanks becasue we had a guest a few hours longer; she enriched our lives by her presence.

I try to remember to give thanks for the simple things so that the great things are all the more important. And how about you?

Is there something worth giving thanks in the cold winter? Is there something to give thanks in the everydayness of work or school? Do you give thanks that you have a car to use? Is there something small to give thanks for today, something that you looked at from the backside first- or the opposite side of the coin?

You do have great reason to rejoice because if you can read this, you have more blessings than millions of people today who cannot read, much less, have a computer. Let us give thanks even in our humble efforts for they are worth much to God.

www.sistersofmercy.org

Heaven Already

A quote from Catherine:

If you love each other cordially, you have heaven already.

This morning as I was reading, I found a line that has me pondering.."your pain in my heart" a definition of compassion. I wonder if we really stop to think how we witness compassion. It is so easy to do with words, but actions are a different thing. How do we put compassion into action? I think this quote of Catherine's is very appropo...if you love each other cordially... To me this means walking in another's shoes and helping to stretch the fit so there is no pinch. It means that there is a generosity of spirit to relieve others of their small (or large) burdens. It means that the rubbing shoulders, the co-working and co-living (community) is a gracious act of genuineness.

For me today, I will continue to ponder how (and if) I take the pain of another into my heart. I hope you do, too.

www.sistersofmercy.org

Truest Poverty

A quote from Catherine:

The truest poverty consists in seeing that our wants are
scantily supplied and rejoicing in the scantiness.

Right now I would have to say, I do not live this way. I have, though. I recall living by myself and trying to be very careful of every thing I had, what I ate and how I spent any money I had. I also kept the thermostat low and seldom used the air conditioner. I cannot expect to do the same when living with three other people who have health and dietary needs that are different from my own.
I try to compromise and still try to have a careful way of living. I know I shall do it again and that it is the way of so many people to have so little.

Yet, I have the luxury of a cell phone, a laptop, a car and a large size home in which I live. It is not poverty and yet these are only tools to do the current ministry that I have. What will be in store the next ministry has yet to be revealed.

On the whole I think I still need to simplify and downsize. What about you? Can you rejoice in the scantiness, taking on the example of our Lord who had so little or our early Sisters who were mostly in debt and had very little in way of comforts in their various ministries? Have we become too soft, too needy of creature comforts that we lose sight of what it means to live simply and in poverty?

Some questions to ponder today...

www.sistersofmercy.org

Infinite is God's Love

A quote from Catherine:


Infinite is the love God bears to souls
who repose in his protection.

It's Valentines Day and I'm sitting in the commons of a local college as I wait for the next retreatant. Our reflection today is on compassion and mercy. The quote today is more in keeping with the day than the silly valentines cards being sent around. As one student said, "Valentines is just a material day. It's not that important in my life. " And so it should be. The true Valentine is the one who shows God's love to others. To whom do you show God's love? To whom do you show God's mercy?

And how do you live in God's protection? Do you put on the cloak of love as you start your day? Is your life a witness of God's protection? It's a great day to reflect on the true meaning of love-not the flowers, candy, chocolate and fancy dinner out.

Happy Valentine's Day!

www.sistersofmercy.org

Solid Instruction

A quote from Catherine:

We may infer from all our instructions that a strong, lively faith
is the foundation of all virtue.

Looking back on a number of years of working on various virtues (like self-improvement) it is the faith that makes the work more possible and more able to have some positive outcomes. Why work on patience if you do not care about the other? Why work on honesty if you are only trying to live for yourself? Why work on prudence if you do not care what you say or how you say it?

And why work on it at all if you did not have a faith in a God who loves you and wants you to be the very best you can be? What would be the point?

As I go about my life in the dailiness of everything, it is the faith I have that helps me to want to grow in virtue. It is the faith I have that wants me to be the best I can be as a return to the God who loves me.
What virtue or virtues do you need to work on? Is there something in your life that needs to be shored up and disciplined to be a better you? Today think of one virtue to try to improve for the next week.

www.sistersofmercy.org

Desire Enough

A quote from Catherine:

Let us never desire more than enough;
God will give us that and His blessing.

I am reading a book about the Spirituality of the Sisters of Mercy in America from the beginning of their arrival in 1843 to 1900 or so. In the book there are so many stories of the sisters going to new missions or ministries with only the basics to start. Sometimes a medical ministry would be opened with what the sisters carried with them or opening a school a few days after arrival with several hundred students-nothing said about having books for all.

We carry so much baggage with us. Even as I pack and unpack from the various trips I take, I wonder if I take too much with me. How could I simplify and yet have what I really need.

And when it comes to life, do we really rely on God to give us what we need to be enough. Just because we could have it, does that mean we should have it? Do we have enough? What is the desire to have more? Is it something else in our life such as a lack of prayer, a goal or passion that consumes us? Good relationships? The ability to be at peace and in silence with ourselves?

Today let us examine our prayer life, our relational life and our use of materials. Do we have enough. When will we say,"It is enough. I do not need any more."? Let us begin today to be satisfied, a few minutes at a time, a few hours.

www.sistersofmercy.org

Fidelity to the Common Life

A quote from Catherine:

Fidelity to the common life is the greatest of all motifications,
and by far the most meritorious.

For the religous to live in community is one of the greatest pleasures and the greatest tests of all virtues. No matter how good the experience, it takes a lot of working together to make it work. Each person has to give up her way of doing things and look to the common good. The sister least able to do so, is the one that others will have to really work with to help her grow in common life. Often it is very difficult without a facilitaor or outside pewrson to be more a neutral party. That doesn't mean necessarily that the sister is a problem, but that living styles can be so different it will take someone outside the local house to help sort things without emotional baggage.

That's right, we are not perfect! We are humans who come from all walks of life with all sorts of experiences that have to be blended together to make a harmonious whole. It can be done, but all have to work at it.

I've lived in some wonderful communities where I have had to grow and change as have others. I've lived with other sisters who did not have to cook growing up, so taking turns cooking was very difficult. Others did not know how to clean. Some were over zealous in their cleaning!

Together, with good communication, it can and does work smoothly and happily. Happiness in community is a wonderful gift that makes the ministry and prayer a wonderful experience as well.

Today let us look at how much we need to change to blend in with whatever group we are connected. Is it only my way? Do I pout if I don't get my way? Are my feelings easily hurt by general living experience? Maybe we need to step back and look at oursevles.

www.sistersofmercy.org

A Marked Providential Guidance

A quote from Catherine McAuley:

There has been a marked providential guidance which the want of
prudence, vigilance or judgement has not impeded.

I think Catherine was saying that things are pretty amazing despite our imperfections and want of good wisdom. That seems to work even today!

I would say that my life has been, on the whole, a blessed life, that Divine Providence has seen fit to giveme the grace and the blessing to enjoy. That does not mean there haven't been hard times or even hard years, but the blessing of having the presence of the Lord with me through out has made it, as I look back, so much easier.

The want of prudence, curbing my impetuousness, the inability to be ever vigilant in my words and deeds has been lacking and my judgement has not be all that great. Yet somehow God uses me as I am, a flawed person to do the work that needs to be done.

And the same goes for you. We are not perfect, Catherine was not perfect and yet God can use this imperfection to good use. St. Paul said something like that when he said, "...in my weakness I am strong."

Let us today reflect on those flaws and see where we can better oursleves with the Grace of God and where we need to be more vigilant and prudent in our thoughts, words and deeds.

www.sistersofmercy.org

The Ardent Shape We Hope to Become

From a biographer of Catherine McAuley- Mary Sullivan...

"...we are not the source of the ardent shape we hope to become, only the ready tinder: poor, flickering, utterly dependent on God's designing fire."

No this is not a dieter's mantra! Although if we look at it as a spiritual diet, perhaps this is one way to look at ourselves!

When Catherine said, "My God I am yours for time and eternity...", I think she was also saying that we are not in control, that our passion and fire for God, for those who are poor is really in God's hands. We allow God to spark us anew.

Yesterday I was heading out to the airport to meet some people who were coming to a meeting last night and would be leaving today afte several more appointments were finished. We had some miscommunication and I did not find them at the airport. Later when we did connect I was sputtering to myself about the inconvenience and the extra work on my part, not to mention the time I took out of my day. As I refelcted on what was happening inside me, I realized that my work is not mine, but God's! I needed to let go of the sputtering and get on board for the part that would be God's plan in the beautiful evening with some wonderful young women.

We do not shape our world. God is in charge. We are the flicker: the flame is God's. Can we get ingnited?

Today ponder where God is in your life? Where are you the flicker and where does God flame into fire in you?

That being said and it being winter here with 15 inches on the ground, keep warm with the flame of heat as well as with the flame of God burning in you!

www.sistersofmercy.org

Example of Catherine's Response in Love

A quote about Catherine McAuley from Angela Bolster, her biographer.



The rescue of a new-born infant during the epidemic is an example of Catherine's response in love to a perceived need.

Sometimes I wonder what Catherine would do today to meet the needs that are out there. Would she continue to open Houses of Mercy for those who need shelter? Would she start up a school for those who do not have access to good education? Would she be at the border assisting immigrants in their health and eduction needs? Woud she be in clinics where the uninsured are present? Would she be in homeless shelters? Building homes in Katrina wracked New Orleans? Or would she be in another country where the needs are more drastic and go unmet?

I wonder as I think about what I might be doing in ministry in the future. Should I get better training for something? Should I go back to teaching? Should I use the skills I have for some other work? Should I move? Should I look around and see the faces of those who are poor here in my city? Is there a glaring area where needs go unmet?

And you? How is God calling you to use your time and skills? Are you being pushed out of your comfort zone to be of service to others? How can you connect with those less fortunate? Do you have untapped skills you need to use to really be the person you are?

Wonderful thoughts to ponder today...

Perseverance

Quote from Catherine:

Perseverance is a constant exercise of self-denial, and, as such
serves to keep the body in subjection to the spirit.

Today is Ash Wednesday. I'm looking at what I want to do during this Lenten season to become more in harmony with God and to be better able to put on Christ at every moment and incident that happens in my day.

I am looking at the traditional means of looking at Lent, knowing if I can do it for 40 days it can become a habit that I can continue.

First of all fasting... what do I need to fast in order to be more Christ like?
Is it sarcasm, impatience, negative comments...Is it food that makes me not be healthy enough to have the energy to do the Lord's work? Is it somthing that distracts me from prayer-TV, books I read, sudoku, talking instead of cultivating a more comtemplative stance?

Second, prayer... Do I need to spend more time in prayer? Go to Mass more often? Try some of the local devotions to get a sense again of the traditions in which we are steeped? Spend more time personally in prayer, do more spiritual reading?

Alms giving... Where do I spend money? Do I need to fast from spending for myself during these 40 days? What could I give to this Lent? How about the rice bowl? Or is it time to clean out my closet and get rid of stuff? And what about all those knick knacks, those mugs I've collected?

What could you be doing, to persevere in subjecting the body (my comfort, instant pleasure) to the spiritual dimension of you life?

www.sistersofmercy.org

Poison of Self-love

A quote from Catheriene:

Every thought, word and action infected with the poison of self-love
is a fraud upon the rights of God.

How insidious is this self love. Today we call it by other names. "I have to be me. I need my space. This is the way I am, take it or leave it. I can't do that. I hate Mondays..." There are so many ways we insist on our way instead of looking at God's way, of exerting extra energy, of giving more of ourselves. There are so many ways we have a mindset of not giving any extra, of only being in our comfort zone.

Where is the discipline? Where is sacrifice? Where is the giving of self for the other?

How can we say we are a follower of God if we don't take time to speak to God, if we don't help our less fortunate neighbor, if we don't carry our weight in our ministry, or community, or family?

We are frauds! We are imposters! We are not what we claim to be! Ash Wednesday is tomorrow. It is a good time to take stock of who we are, how we act, and where we are going with our life. How will you pause these 40days to really lisaten to the Lord, to fast,to pray and to give alms?

May you have a blessed Lent!

Witness of Holiness

A quote from Catherine:



The best apostolate we can engage in

is the witness of holiness of life.



This past weekend was the celebration of World Day for Consecrated Life. We don't hear much about it since it is a relatively new feast day instigated by Pope John Paul II in 1997. Since it is only 10 years old, a tiny amount of time in "church" time, it has not really caught hold except in vocation promotion circles.



I spent the weekend at a parish is a small town in far northeast Iowa. Along with giving the "reflection", we had a vocation fair with other religious congregations in attendance.



As I talked about consecrated life (sisters, nuns, religious order priests and brothers), I was reflecting on the quest for God as the primary drawing of men and women to the consecrated life. We each have a vocation story that we tell. The untold story is that quest for God that lures and draws us. That quest is in the midst of service, discipline, prayer and giving all to the unique apostolic ministry we have.



Even at that, Catherine is right, the best apostolic witness we have is not our work, it is the holiness, the "God quest", that is most effective. It is what "catches" in the hearts and souls of others who see "something" in us- a something that most likely they cannot name. Who do you know who has that intangible "something" that draws you, that calls you to be closer to God? Do you have it for others? How are you doing in your "God quest"? Where do you need to be?



We approach Lent soon. Now is a good time to embark on your "God quest" in all seriousness and intention.

www.sistersofmercy.org

The Return God Asks

A quote from Catherine McAuley:

The only return God asks of us is a return of love.


A humorous note, God spelled backwards is Dog. Funny how the only return either asks is a return of love. It isn't much, yet it is everything. Now I'm not comparing God to dogs, only noting that in this instance there is something similar.

God doesn't ask us to do heroic things, though if we love, we will.
God doesn't ask us to put our life on the line, but if we love, we will.
God doesn't ask us to give up all material goods, but if we love we will.
God doesn't ask us to sacrifice power, prestige and good name, but if we love, we will.

God doesn't ask us to dry the dishes, but if we love, we will.
God doesn't ask us to empty the dishwasher, but if we love, we will.
God doesn't ask us to take out the garbage, but if we love, we will.

None of this is about if we like it, if we will gain from it, if we will earn "point" for heaven. It's only about love. After all as St. John says,"...God is love..."
and if we love, then the return God asks is all.
How are you loving today?

www.sistersofmercy.org

Cheerful Things

A quote by Catherine McAuley:

I would like to tell you all the cheerful things that God
permits to fall my way.


So many little pieces of sayings go through my mind as I reflect upon this bit of quote. Catherine was a woman who said to have a "comfortable cup of tea when I am gone"... "dance every night"... certainly would be one who had a bit of cheerfulness in her life! Yet she was one who had some dark days, some scary days, some great days, sad days, happy days and some exasperating days. in other words, quite an ordinary woman.

I think it's a matter of attitude. How do we want to speak of our day-with all the things that go wrong, or not our way or of the happy things, the joyful things that are there side-by-side with those which are more trying? It's a matter of outlook. It's a matter of letting the joy of Christ fall not only on our hearts, but on our faces.

So let me tell you of the joys of today...sunshine...warmer temps in January... friends... beginning of a BPR... friendly greetings by strangers...a good lunch with the sisters at the table..invitation to visit a room...an e-mail from a friend...good conversation at dinner...some quiet time in the evening...plans, goals for tomorrow.... and so the list goes on....

What will your attitude be? May it be cheerful!

www.sistersofmercy.org

Grace Never Refused

A quote from Catherine McAuley:



If we become humble and sincere, God will finish in us the work He has begun.
He never refuses his grace to those who ask it.


Today I am remembering the 2nd anniversary of the death of my mother. About 10 days before her death my mother made a remark about the progression of her illness which went rather rapidly at the end. It was if she had been caught in mid-sentence and couldn't finish her life the way she wanted. She said," What a bummer!"

Although she wanted to do more in her life, she was resigned to the prospect of facing death-not that she wanted and she did fight it, but she did it with grace and dignity.

My mother was a humble person. She was sincere, she was glad to entertain in her home and enjoyed creating hospitality which always included some food. Even in her last days she saw that there was food for the family as we gathered to be with her. Somehow the grace she needed was there even in the last days.

That did not mean she did not struggle, she did not want to die. She would not sleep in the night lest she slip away. She would only rest when dawn came and all were awake around her.

In the last days when she could not stay awake we were with her around the clock and she felt our presence. She also had a great faith that was expressed in simply saying the rosary, so when she would get restless, we would simply start the rosary and though she could say the words much, it calmed her as she help her rosary in her hand.

Yes, if we are humble and sincere, God will be able to best finish the work begun in us and give us the grace to accept it or grow through it. May we all take stock of our life and see where we need to be more sincere (the great way to humility) and ask for the grace needed to become humble.

Mom, help me to become that which God is calling me to be. May your example be my guide.

www.sistersofmercy.org

A step Toward Eternity

A quote from Catherine McAuley;


Each day is a step which we take towards eternity.


I guess we can't argue with that! But what is the quality of each step we take? Where do we want to be in our quest for God when the last step we take on earth is the first step into eternity? I think these are the bigger questions.

I was reading an ad today for a magazine about the first steps to get started on the path to return to the present moment. They were called the four reminders and written by Pema Chodron.

1. Maintain an awareness of the preciousness of life. Beginning to realize how precious life is becomes one of your most powerful tools.
2.Be aware of the reality that life ends: death comes for everyone. Life is very brief...live your life as if you actually had only a day left...
3/ Recall that whatever you do, whether virtuous or not, has a result, what comes around goes around.
4. Contemplate that as long as you are too focused on self-importance and too caught up in thinking about how you are good or bad, you will suffer. Obsessing about getting what you want and avoiding what you do not want, does not result in happiness.

Actually there is a name for all of this-detachment or holy indifference. So live your life today as if it is your first...or,... as if it is your last.....


www.sistersofmercy.org

Take Short Careful Steps

A quote from Catherine for today:



We should hope to get on
taking short careful steps,
not great strides.


It's Friday. I'm tired. I went to an event last night, a Mass, a bishop, Knights of Columbus, lots of people and my table of vocation wares...Home late and up early. This could be a long grueling day.
But Catherine reminds us to take short careful steps... that's what I shall do. break my day into steps and complete each of them with my best. Then the long stride of the day will not be looming.

Although she was probably talking about our spiritual life, this quote has a great deal of meaning for all that we do. How like her to leave us something we can use in our stress-filled world as well! One practical woman!

For us today, let us look at breaking down the seemingly insurmountable tasks into steps. We shall have much more peace and serenity amid out daily labors and we can also take time then to realize that God is in the middle of all of this and will be walking besides us. Reminds me of the 'Footprints" story of one set of footprints when God was doing the carrying,

A nice thought for a Friday! Today is also the beginning of Christan Unity Week. Again small steps will hep us to "get on" or get along with each other. blessings!

www.sistersofmercy.org

Sight of the Poor

Today's quote comes from Frances Warde, American founder of the Sisters of Mercy and protege of Catherine McAuley:


The sight of the poor should fill us with compassion.

This past year we had a homeless man die in one of our neighboring cities. He had been refused admittance tot a shelter because of his inebriated state. For the good of the people already there, it was a wise move, but for him it was not. He died of exposure to the elements.

One could argue the pros and cons of the situation. Nevertheless it was a situation, one that did not sit well with a lot of folks both pro and con. In the aftermath of it all, there were policies that were reviewed and s smaller shelter was opened for those who would be a danger in the regular shelter.
What was more interesting was the response by the homeless veterans. This man had been a veteran, too. They rallied and came together to support one another even in their homelessness. It was heartening to see.

The sight of the poor should fill us with compassion, despite whatever we may be thinking of being taken advantage of, being pushed out of our comfort zone, of being inconvenienced. Catherine McAuley said it was better to feed one hundred impostors than to leave one person go hungry. It was Frances Warde's philosophy as well...and should be ours.

Today if you see someone who is poor, do something, anything, just do it!

www.sistersofmercy.org

Time is Short

A quote from Catherine McAuley:


Do all you can for God because time is short.

We seem to think that the future will stretch out forever. We don't want to look at our mortality and yet, Catherine brings us short. Stop! We need to be more intense in what we do. Time is short. Time is fleeting and not all that can be done for the poor is finished!

"Do all you can for God..." Time is not in our hands. Time is in God's hands. What are we doing for God? Are we doing for ourselves or for God? What is pleasing to God? This takes some time to pray, some quiet, some reflection time and time away from the busy day to really hear what God wants. And even at that, we don't always know for sure.

Thomas Merton in his famous prayer said something like this... I don't know if what I am doing is pleasing to God. I don't even know if I'm on the right path, but I believe that my desire to please God is in fact, pleasing to God.

Time is measured differently in God time and human time. A minute is nothing to God as is a year or a century... and yet a millisecond is a piece of eternity. Time is so much larger and yet so much smaller with God. So time is short. We have little time to do the things and be the person God wants and needs in the world.

We are the only you or I that will ever be. there will be no one in another age or time to replace us. Time is short to be who we are called to be.

And the poor...if we are not doing our part, however small (or large) to alleviate suffering, then we have failed. in our call to Mercy, to Christian (or Buddhist or Islamic or Jewish...) life.

Do all you can today...that is enough. Then tomorrow do all you can again...because time is short.

www.sistersofmercy.org

Bestowing Blessings

A quote from Catherine McAuley:


God doesn't bestow all his choice blessings on one person.
Jesus did not give Peter what he gave to Paul
nor to either what he gave to John.

At the beginning of a school year, especially when teaching middle grades I make it very clear that I do not treat my students equally. With that there are many groans and complaints. I know they are coming, they always do.

After letting the students vent a bit, I share my philosophy. To treat everyone equally means there would be no exceptions. If we take a test and the student is absent, then the student gets 0% for that day.

Of course the first thing they would say is , "That's not fair!" I reply that of course it's not fair, but it's equal. Then it dawns on them that there might be a difference. One of the first lessons of life that they have already experienced, but have never named.

We go on to look at several examples of equal vs. fairness. They see it in their families. If it were equal, all children would go to bed at 8 PM, not just the four year old. And so forth...

God doesn't treat us equally. God treats us fairly. What gifts we have are given for the good of all, but used by some better than others. We are all part of the one body, but all of us is not the eye...

God has given you a choice blessing. It is up to you to figure it out and use it for the honor and glory of God, not hide it, not begrudge someone else their blessing or gift.

This last weekend I was at a discernment weekend for leadership. All those present were called to leadership, but not all will have the choice blessing of being the leaders. Out of the 48 there, only 6 can be elected. Some will drop out, knowing that their call to leadership is not the call necessary for this particular leadership...not that they are not able, but they are not called in this way.

So what choice blessings are you given? What is your gift to share? Where is God calling you? Some things to ponder today.

www.sistersofmercy.org

Never Enough

A quote from Catherine;



We can never say it is enough.

"We will rest when we get to heaven...", "Pour out yourself like a libation of love", "Empty yourself and don't look back..." these are of the spirituality of the days of Catherine McAuley. Those who have been in religious life a number of years also heard similar idioms or others like
"Idle hands are the devil's handiwork"," A little work never hurt anyone"," Give and then give some more."

In some ways this is still true today, but mostly these ideals fostered today what we call workaholics . It is true , we can never say it is enough. It will never be perfect. We will never be perfect. We always need to strive as Catherine also said, "Resolve to be good today and better tomorrow." This life of ours is to lead to perfection in God's eyes...not in the world's eyes. In God's eyes doing your best with what you have is far greater than being the best in the corporate world.

Doing your best also means to know when to stop and rest for tomorrow is another day in which we celebrate God's love for us. So it is never enough because there is always tomorrow with its own striving. Today let us recognize when it is enough and then rest. Let us also recognize when it is not enough and get moving to strive toward God who calls us into being and into perfection.

I got in from a long air flight crossing 4 times zones at 2 AM this morning. I pondered whether to come to work at 8. I decided to sleep in so that I could be my best for as long as possible today. It is nearing 3 PM. I am feeling the effect of the time zones plus later travel. I know I cannot work much longer and be my best. My work will be there tomorrow. It is time for me to say, "It is enough." Tomorrow will be a better day. Listen to your heart and ponder...

www.sistersofmercy.org

God makes allthings Turn to the Best

Catherine's quote for today:




We should never falter in our confidence that
God makes all things turn to the best.



Yesterday I was working with one of our elders on some paperwork that we needed to be have done. Part of it was the advanced directives for health care and funeral arrangements. It was very hard for her to do. The experience was difficult for me as well. One of the things I assured her was that she was to make the decisions; that I was merely the scribe. When it came to signing her name. she could not do it well and she burst into tears. I assured her that it was fine and in the end, though a hard time for both of us, there was peace.

As we go through life, there are hard decisions and decision we have to make with no guarantee that they are right. God helps us in that. If we look for the blessings even in the hard stuff, we will see and experience the hand of God, guiding us, despite our poor choices. Oftentimes we hear it said that if the decision we made not been poor we would not have found this good part.

I think of a woman who becomes pregnant without necessarily wanting to. The result is this wonderful person, this child, that could not have been there without that choice. It doesn't make the choice good, but God can work good out of poor choices. So let us never falter in our confidence that God is there and God can make all things turn out to the good.

www.sistersofmercy.org

Impatience

Quote of the Day from Catherine McAuley:


Keep away from your mind all impatience.

In her time there had to be may times when she was impatient. I think of the harshness of travel, the lack of cooperation from one of the priests, the slowness of one of the first sister artists, then inability of one of the superiors of one of her foundations to make decisions and the time it took for her novitiate.
Yet, she worked diligently to have patience.

Sometime in our instant world we lack that fine art of patience. We have such things as road rage, rudeness, inability to see the needs of others and the list goes on...

Today, I will work on patience. I will pause.. and reflect.... someone once said to put things in perspective...would it matter 100 years from now? ten years? Why get all bothered then, today? Patience...a rare virtue much in need today!


www.sistersofmercy.org

Not in Great Distress

Special quote today from Ursula Frayne RSM-Australian Foundress




We are not in great distress; our means are scanty, but our wants are few.


We, in our consumer world today may not be able to relate to this quote today, and yet it is still an appropriate one for us. There are so many people especially women and children who are starving in this world. Here in the US, those below the poverty line are mostly women and children. Homes headed by a single parent are mostly headed by a mom.

How do they do it? Could you do it? Could I do it? It would be good for us to take some time and reflect on our wants and needs and see where we could live more simply.

Is there a certain day of the week that you could resolve that you will not spend any money. Is there a week of the month when you will not use your credit card or write a check? Could you go longer than a week before going to the grocery store? What if you could just eat from you stored canned goods for a week?

This is also a good time of year to start culling things from your closet. What do you no longer wear? What could be given away? What about all that other stuff we collect? Is there something we could eliminate in our home or room or apt.?

Something I read this morning said that that to live simply is freeing and leads to wisdom. Maybe today I shall start on the road of wisdom by beginning to live more simply. How about you?


http://www.sistersofmercy.org

Small Gift

Catherine's quote of the day:

No matter how small the gift, God gives the increase.


As a former teacher, I received many gifts over the years at Christmas time. Some were small and some were large. Many were not all that practical, but they were a reminder of the appreciation from a parent of the precious job I had in teaching his/her child to read and to be able to function in a literate world.

The most treasured gifts are the ones which came from the child. I have gingerbread ornaments, hand made, a tiny skier cut from a tin can, a bell made from an upside down tiny pot with a ribbon and clove scented clabber. These I have, so precious and so delicate. These are ones I saved.

No matter how small the gift, it's love (God) which gives the increase. These mean more to me than the Hallmark, dated fancy ornaments, and these are what I put out each year.

Look at what you treasure. Is it not the thing someone has given you that has no monetary value, but has emotional value that cannot be measured? Today look around you and see the treasures in your room or your home and reflect again upon the person and the reason you still have it. How does God speak to you through this?

www.sistersofmercy.org

Tenderness

Catherine's quote of the day:

Great tenderness in all things.

Today is a sunny day in the midst winter. It makes me want to go outside and do something-like cross country ski. What a day to do so. Instead, I shall work in my office and see about the things I need to do.

This quote comes at a good time. How do I talk to one of my sisters about how loud her radio is in her room and how it prevents me from sleeping at night? How do I handle a tough decision we need to make later this morning in a conference call? How do I work with one of my inquirers who is looking at Mercy?

"Great tenderness in all things" It is sitting right here in my desk, this quote of the day, and it shall be my mantra for the rest of the day... "Great tenderness in all things..."

May you continue your day and your tomorrow with "great tenderness in all things."


www.sistersofmercy.org

Confidence in God

A quote from Catherine;

Put your whole confidence in God;
He will never let you want.




Confidence in God....It is just what I need today! How will I get everything done! What about this report I have to do? The agenda for the meeting tomorrow? Set up the conference call?
I have a program scheduled in two weeks and I don't have the materials ready for the printers. The power point needs to be done soon and i have four plane trips to take care of scheduling on both ends...

Confidence in God... Confidence in God...

Will it get done? Will I have the time? I know with God, I will have the time, and it will be done. If I do it only on my own I will be stressed, forget details and not be the best person I can be. With God I can do what needs to be done.

With God's help I will not want, I will not fear, I will not stress, I will not procrastinate! I shall be on top of it as it is needed.

I resolve today to stop worrying, place my confidence in God and then get going!

What about you? What stresses do you have? Are you placing your confidence in God?

www.sistersofmercy.org