You may wonder about the order of this saying.
Today we are told to Love God with our whole heart, mind and soul and our neighbor as ourselves. Matthew 22:34-40 records Jesus saying loving God is the 1st commandment and loving neighbor as ourselves is the 2nd commandment. All other commandments included in these two.
As I reflected on this I came to realize where I don't love myself that is also where I do not act lovingly to my neighbor.
Most of it is simple stuff like I love to find out what is going on with almost everything. When I find out do I share it in a way that is gossip. Now gossip can smudge the name of another person. I believe I work hard how do I react when I don't feel the other person is working as hard as I perceive I am?
It is good once in awhile to sit down and look at what do I not love about myself. These are the very things that I will also act negatively toward my neighbor. If I don't appreciate it in myself I surely wont appreciate it in my neighbor.
Through taking some time each day and looking lovingly at myself I will come to act more lovingly toward my neighbor. God loves me unconditionally. If I believe I am a reflection of God can I do the same.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Do No Harm-Domestic Violence awareness month
Today we celebrate St. Luke. He was not only a evangelist but a physician. You can read in your Bible the stories he relates of how Jesus was with the poor.
Father God you chose Luke the Evangelist to reveal by preaching and writing the mystery of your love
for the poor.
Physicians are also honored today in Catholic centers with a special Mass for doctors by the Bishop of the Church. Physicians take a oath to do no harm.
This also is Domestic Violence awareness month. It would do us all good to take an oath to do no harm and to behave in a non violent way toward others.
Father God you chose Luke the Evangelist to reveal by preaching and writing the mystery of your love
for the poor.
Physicians are also honored today in Catholic centers with a special Mass for doctors by the Bishop of the Church. Physicians take a oath to do no harm.
This also is Domestic Violence awareness month. It would do us all good to take an oath to do no harm and to behave in a non violent way toward others.
We don't often think we engage in domestic violence. Are you aware of some of the signs, like not letting those who we love and live with have their own friends. Refusing to talk or say when we are upset what we are upset about. Not allowing the other to have any personal free time.
These are just some of the signs but there are more and helpful hints of how to deal with this issue on the domestic violence web site.
Today let us be thankful of the positive good relationships we are in. Tell those we love we appreciate them.
Consider taking a personal commitment to do no harm which may be as simple as saying only good about the other and no gossiping. If each of us did these little things the world would be much less violent.
Monday, October 17, 2011
What do nuns do as part of ministry-she also is a pilot
Sister Lois also is a pilot. One never know about us nuns.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Give to God what is God's
In the Scripture today Jesus says "Give to God what is God's."
What do you have that belongs to God? What do you have to give back?
For me I am grateful for my vocation to Religious life. I can give back to God and others by living religious life authentically and being me. God called me just as I am.
Are you grateful for your vocation in life whether married, single or religious?
I never dreamed I would have a profession, a ministry where I can be of service to others, friends that are faithful and a great support system. I have many gifts, talents and health.
Honestly,on some days I don't feel like giving anything to anyone. When that happens I know it is time to take a time out. I have continuously experienced that God will provide for me the continued grace and strength to be faithful to all that has been given to me. But I have the responsibility to take care of myself as well. Sometimes I forget myself in that mix of things. I know the word NO is a very empowering word. Sometimes, I could be used more so I don't give myselves away.
I can imagine for you who are parents that is a hard thing to do, to take time for yourself. I know re-creation time is needed by us all. Yes, even you and me.
Today the neighbor lady came to the door with her son and daughter selling boy scout popcorn. I said I haven't seen you much lately, she said oh we have football, basketball practicee twice a week and then games, plus scouts. I doubt she has alot of time to just be for herself.
Praise God we have the opportunity to give back. I pray to be aware of the opportunities this week to do just that.
I pray the same for you.
What do you have that belongs to God? What do you have to give back?
For me I am grateful for my vocation to Religious life. I can give back to God and others by living religious life authentically and being me. God called me just as I am.
Are you grateful for your vocation in life whether married, single or religious?
I never dreamed I would have a profession, a ministry where I can be of service to others, friends that are faithful and a great support system. I have many gifts, talents and health.
Honestly,on some days I don't feel like giving anything to anyone. When that happens I know it is time to take a time out. I have continuously experienced that God will provide for me the continued grace and strength to be faithful to all that has been given to me. But I have the responsibility to take care of myself as well. Sometimes I forget myself in that mix of things. I know the word NO is a very empowering word. Sometimes, I could be used more so I don't give myselves away.
I can imagine for you who are parents that is a hard thing to do, to take time for yourself. I know re-creation time is needed by us all. Yes, even you and me.
Today the neighbor lady came to the door with her son and daughter selling boy scout popcorn. I said I haven't seen you much lately, she said oh we have football, basketball practicee twice a week and then games, plus scouts. I doubt she has alot of time to just be for herself.
Praise God we have the opportunity to give back. I pray to be aware of the opportunities this week to do just that.
I pray the same for you.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Reflections on past week
As I said last refection I felt the past week went by with a host of emotions, feelings and what did really happen. I did take a nap today, wonderful practice for healing and now I feel I can share some things with you.
Monday 10 was the remembrance of Mollie Rogers. She was know as Sister Mary Joseph. She is the foundress of the Maryknoll Sisters. Now why is that of any significance? As a teen my mother attended Mother of Perpetual help devotions every Tues night and dragged, I mean took me along. The only think I liked about this weekly church happening, was to be able to pick up the Maryknoll magazine in the back of church and see all the exciting things the Sisters were doing with poor people.
Later when in Nursing school ,at age of 19 taught by the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother, I experienced God calling me to become a bearer of good news as a religious woman. I wanted to be a Maryknoll and did apply but they said wait until you finished Nursing School. Back then wait was a unfamiliar word to me. For those who know me see how I have grown.(smile) I responded by praying the stations of the Sorrowful Mother to become a Maryknoll.
While working in Maternity department nursery there was a statue of baby Jesus with inscription Come follow me. Every time I worked I turned it around so I could see it.
Do you believe God sends signs? Well let me tell you of a powerful one. As student nurses we were required to make a annual retreat. Catholic, protestant it didn't matter you were there. The priest my freshman year was a Passionist religious order priest. They wore a symbol on their clothing which looked like a police badge to me at that time. I said to God if you want me to be a Sister he will come down from the table where he was sitting and tap me on the shoulder and ask me to come and talk to him. At the end of the conference before we all left church behold he came down tapped me on the shoulder and said I need to speak with you. Now it was about something the head of the school thought I knew something about, like where had one of our classmates disappeared to. However a sign is a sign no matter how it comes about.
the rest of that story later. I entered the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother a year later.
Have you asked God for any signs for discernment for yourself? If not try it and be surprised.
Also you never know what effect parents have on their children by the things they involve them in. Think about it
Monday 10 was the remembrance of Mollie Rogers. She was know as Sister Mary Joseph. She is the foundress of the Maryknoll Sisters. Now why is that of any significance? As a teen my mother attended Mother of Perpetual help devotions every Tues night and dragged, I mean took me along. The only think I liked about this weekly church happening, was to be able to pick up the Maryknoll magazine in the back of church and see all the exciting things the Sisters were doing with poor people.
Later when in Nursing school ,at age of 19 taught by the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother, I experienced God calling me to become a bearer of good news as a religious woman. I wanted to be a Maryknoll and did apply but they said wait until you finished Nursing School. Back then wait was a unfamiliar word to me. For those who know me see how I have grown.(smile) I responded by praying the stations of the Sorrowful Mother to become a Maryknoll.
While working in Maternity department nursery there was a statue of baby Jesus with inscription Come follow me. Every time I worked I turned it around so I could see it.
Do you believe God sends signs? Well let me tell you of a powerful one. As student nurses we were required to make a annual retreat. Catholic, protestant it didn't matter you were there. The priest my freshman year was a Passionist religious order priest. They wore a symbol on their clothing which looked like a police badge to me at that time. I said to God if you want me to be a Sister he will come down from the table where he was sitting and tap me on the shoulder and ask me to come and talk to him. At the end of the conference before we all left church behold he came down tapped me on the shoulder and said I need to speak with you. Now it was about something the head of the school thought I knew something about, like where had one of our classmates disappeared to. However a sign is a sign no matter how it comes about.
the rest of that story later. I entered the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother a year later.
Have you asked God for any signs for discernment for yourself? If not try it and be surprised.
Also you never know what effect parents have on their children by the things they involve them in. Think about it
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Here I am Lord I think!
What a week. I am not sure what really went on this week. I will take some time this weekend to process it all. A whole mixture of feelings of sadness, anger, hope, possibilities. I guess that pretty much sums up why I feel tired today which is the end of my week at work. I hope to take sometime this week to review the events of the week and reflect on God's gift in it all.
Tomorrow I will travel 2hrs to visit my brother in his assisted living situation. We go out to eat and gab.There is not a lot of news on his side but we are enjoying each others company and finally bonding as brother and sister. I am glad my cold is over as I would not go if I thought I would give it to him.
Today is the First Day of Sukkot a Jewish festival which Jesus would have had as part of his life.
Tomorrow I will travel 2hrs to visit my brother in his assisted living situation. We go out to eat and gab.There is not a lot of news on his side but we are enjoying each others company and finally bonding as brother and sister. I am glad my cold is over as I would not go if I thought I would give it to him.
Today is the First Day of Sukkot a Jewish festival which Jesus would have had as part of his life.
The Jewish festival known as Sukkot (“sue-COAT”)—“booths”—involves two apparent opposites: gathering and scattering. It’s a harvest festival, but it also commemorates the 40-year journey of the Israelites in the desert, when they lived in temporary shelters (booths). Originally Jews making the Sukkot pilgrimage to sacrifice in the Temple would stay in tents or booths while they were in Jerusalem. The practice continues today in the construction of open outdoor shelters Jews live in during the seven days of Sukkot—if it rains, one rabbi in the Talmud ruled, the sign that you can go in is if the soup gets too watery! Like the Jewish people, we are called to be grateful for God’s gifts and presence with us on the journey of faith.
It is a good remembrance for me that no matter how many stories I heard this past week, how much pain and the joyful ones they are all part of the journey and what is the gift from God for me.
I hope you too get a few moments this weekend to look at the past weeks events whatever the theme or event and find the gift there for you.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
God's saving grace in Jesus
This week is 28th week in ordinary time. The readings for the week are all from Paul. Paul's theme is we are humans and can't save ourselves. I know that for sure.
God revealed his saving grace through Jesus. The grace of this saving grace is available to all through faith. If we believe in Jesus' acts and words we will also do good to others. The readings from Paul all week show how God's grace is working. We are encouraged to live as people saved.
Each day I need to pray for the gift of grace and faith to live as a saved person. I don't know about you but for me some of daily enounters lead to feelings and thoughts if acted on would not be actions of a saved person.
During this week I pray to keep in mind Jesus saved me and I pray to behave accordingly doing good wherever I can.
Paul in his letter to the philippians said "My God will fully supply whatever you need." I am counting on it.
This past week my energy has been zapped with a very bad cold. I beleive as I have gotten older I bounce back slower and my resistence is lower. Hate to admit that but it is the reality. I will need aditional help this week as my energy bucket isnt full yet. Say a prayer for me as well when you have a moment. Much appreciated. Thank you
God revealed his saving grace through Jesus. The grace of this saving grace is available to all through faith. If we believe in Jesus' acts and words we will also do good to others. The readings from Paul all week show how God's grace is working. We are encouraged to live as people saved.
Each day I need to pray for the gift of grace and faith to live as a saved person. I don't know about you but for me some of daily enounters lead to feelings and thoughts if acted on would not be actions of a saved person.
During this week I pray to keep in mind Jesus saved me and I pray to behave accordingly doing good wherever I can.
Paul in his letter to the philippians said "My God will fully supply whatever you need." I am counting on it.
This past week my energy has been zapped with a very bad cold. I beleive as I have gotten older I bounce back slower and my resistence is lower. Hate to admit that but it is the reality. I will need aditional help this week as my energy bucket isnt full yet. Say a prayer for me as well when you have a moment. Much appreciated. Thank you
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