This morning at Mass, I had one of those “These Scripture readings were chosen just for me” moments.  The Gospel from Matthew reminds us:

         “Do not worry about how to speak or what to say; what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes; because it isnot you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you.”

As we begin our three days of Province meetings today, I’m hoping I can keep this counsel in mind.  How different all of our conversations would be each day if I would only trust God to speak in and through me AND trust that God is speaking in and through everyone else.

How will you allow God to speak in you today?

St. Benedict

Today we celebrate St. Benedict. He reformed the way monks–and we–pray the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office). He chose the “Lite Psalter” method of fewer psalms and shorter hours (prayers prayed periodically throughout the day). Before his reform some monks would claim “One for the strong!” meaning they would allow themselves only one hour of sleep, giving 23 hours to prayer. In this way they felt they followed Jesus’ dictum to “pray always.” To stay awake they prayed 150 psalms, the whole Psalter.

Another interpretation of “pray always” is to punctuate our day with prayer. I’d much rather do that! Today be like Benedict.  Pray fewer prayers, but fully engage in prayer. Also try saying a short prayer before beginning the next activity, or use down times like waiting on the computer or emptying the dishwasher as times of prayer.

17 Sisters of Notre Dame … 955 years of service to God’s people … one    tremendous celebration of God’s faithful love and our Sisters’ faith-filled response! If anyone would ask me what is my favorite day in community life, I would have to say it is definitely community jubilee day. Generosity abounds in the preparations. Joy is contagious; laughter echoes everywhere. It’s a day to give thanks for the gift of one another in our community. When I was a young Sister, I was awed by the many years my Sisters had spent in serving God. I wondered if I would ever arrive at such a day. Now that I’m years beyond my silver jubilee, I am even more awed by God’s faithful love. When we renew our vows, we trust in Our Lady’s help and the prayers and support of our Sisters to sustain us. Today we celebrate that gift in 17 wonderful women of God. Thank you, Sisters, for blessing us with your lives! Bring on the celebration!

We had a great time yesterday with many of our Sisters coming together for our annual Fourth of July picnic at Lial.  While the heat kept most people indoors (except for those who couldn’t resist the pool!), a few did venture out to do the grilling for our evening meal. We’re grateful they were willing to “take the heat” for our benefit!

I sometimes wonder about how much I take for granted when it comes to freedom and democracy, standard of living, and the many blessings that I experience each day.  Even in the midst of the aftermath of the storms this past week, I was blessed to have a home, electricity, food and a place to cool off in the excessive heat.  Days like this when we celebrate these many gifts call me to a twofold action: 1) I, like Mary, acknowledge that all I have received is because of God’s goodness and love, and 2) I renew my commitment to prayer and action for those who are subject to the effects of  poverty and injustice.

A Happy and Grateful Fourth of July to all!

I leave in a couple of hours for our first week of migrant ministry in Leipsic/Miller City, Ohio.  Sister Susan Marie and I have ten high school volunteers who will be joining us for this week of service.  This program has been in place for years and is a wonderful way for us to help make a difference in the lives of these migrant children and families.  Even greater than what we provide for them is what they provide for us!  It’s a great joy for us to be able to spend a week learning a bit of the migrant culture and experiencing their simple, strong love for life!

Pray for us this week and check back for pictures early next week!

Today’s Gospel reading from Matthew takes us back to the basics of prayer as Jesus teaches His followers the “Our Father.”  This is certainly not new to any of us, and yet I find myself wondering how much I really think about the words I pray.  The line that jumps out for me today is “May your name be held holy.”  What does it look like to hold someone’s name as holy?  I picture holding something very precious and sacred, cradling it in the palm of myhand, and guarding it with my life.  It certainly has my undivided attention. 

I also wonder how Mary must have prayed to the Father, the Father of her Son Jesus, who has given her life and placed the life of Jesus within her?  Certainly, she knows a unique intimacy with God. I could envy her relationship with the Father, but then I recall that God has also given me life and I have the privilege of daily receiving the life of Jesus in Eucharist.

Perhaps we relate to God under the title “Father” or perhaps we have another name for God.  The important piece is the depth of our relationship of  love and that we daily call God by name.

What is your favorite name/title for God?

If it’s true that the heart holds the essence of a person, then I, for one, certainly want to know the heart of Mary.  If anyone is in tune with Jesus, the Father and the Spirit, it’s Mary.  As we celebrate today the feast of her Immaculate Heart, let us pray for the grace to be truly generous in offering our hearts to God at all times and in all the events of our lives.

Special prayers today for our Immaculate Heart of Mary Province in Covington, KY!

As I sit at this computer in the Provincial Center of our Chardon, OH province, I can’t help but be thankful for the wonderful hospitality I’m receiving from our Sisters here.  Coming from one workshop and now here for another meeting, I feel as though this is a second home.  Each Sister is so kind and welcoming and gracious – truly sharing our Notre Dame spirit.  I can imagine Mary doing the same as she must have been most gracious in welcoming others into her home at Nazareth.  No wonder Jesus’ ministry was marked by such a sincere spirit of hospitality.

How will I help to welcome another and make her/him feel at home today?

While reading the first reading for today’s liturgy (2 Peter 1: 2-7), I was struck once again by the generosity and extravagant love of God.  Peter begins his letter saying, “May you have more and more grace and peace as you come to know our Lord more and more. By his divine power, he has given us all the things that we need for life…”

I find this message particularly encouraging as I embark on a new week.  As I look at my calendar and note the various meetings, events and travel, I am reassured that I will have all that I need. Even more reassuring is knowing that I will have all I need for the many encounters I don’t know about yet!  It’s almost as though God is saying “Don’t worry. I’ve got your back!”

Mary knew the peace that comes from this promise as well.  It was this that enabled her to pray “God has done great things for me. Holy is his name!”

What lies ahead of you this week that God will be taking care of?