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.
www.sistersofmercy.org
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
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?
www.sistersofmercy.org
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?
www.sistersofmercy.org
Thursday, November 6, 2008
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?
www.sistersofmercy.org
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?
www.sistersofmercy.org
Saturday, November 1, 2008
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
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
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
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
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
Monday, October 13, 2008
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
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
Monday, October 6, 2008
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
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
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