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?
www.sistersofmercy.org
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
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.
http://www.sistersofmercy.org/
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.
http://www.sistersofmercy.org/
Friday, December 12, 2008
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?
www.sistersofmercy.org
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?
www.sistersofmercy.org
Thursday, December 11, 2008
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?
www.sistersofmercy.org
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?
www.sistersofmercy.org
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
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?
www.sistersofmercy.org
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?
www.sistersofmercy.org
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
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?
www.sistersofmercy.org
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?
www.sistersofmercy.org
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