We have all heard on the news and read in the newspapers about how our economy is in a terrible state. High unemployment ravages our country. The poor get poorer. Crime is up because people are desperate. Today's gospel is about justice, generosity, and desires.

The Gospel reading today is about the owner of a vineyard who paid the men that he hired late in the afternoon the same wage that he paid those who had worked all day. Those who worked all day challenged the owner and felt they were being cheated. The owner, however, pointed out to them that he agreed to pay them the usual wage, therefore, he did not cheat them. He also pointed out that he can be as generous as he wants with his money.
It is easy for me to recognize that God is generous with all people. This time my reflection took me to think about the economy of our lives? Like the workers who were hired first, do we want more than what is fair? Do we think that we deserve more than another person? Are we jealous of God's or another person's generosity? Perhaps the economy of our country and our lives would improve if we paid attention to our desires. Are the things we want beneficial or necessary to our lives? What can we let go of and share with others so that others can have their share?
I reflected also that we might try embracing our poverty. I am not saying it is okay to be economically poor, hungry, homeless. I am saying quit whining about what you don't have. If you are blessed with good health, a place to live, adequate nourishment,, why moan about not having the latest fashion, iphone, ipad, x-box, or largest flat screen TV. God is generous and will give us what we need. I have often heard that God's generosity will not be outdone. While we need to do what we can to help ourselves, we also need to place our trust in God who loves us more than we could ever imagine.

JESUS' PRESENCE AT THE WORKPLACE

What motivates you to go to work and do what you do? Is it just a pay check or prestige? Is it obligation? Is it passion and joy for what you are doing, or is just out of necessity? We all have different reasons or motives for choosing a career or profession. We all need to work in order to make a living for ourselves, our community, or to provide for a family.
For some people their job, the place they work, and the people they work with are great. Going to work is not a burden. For others the job is okay, but their co-workers may be unpleasant or difficult or uncooperative. And for some, their co-workers are okay, however, they hate their job. Since most of us do not work alone, what if before the work day begins, we and those co-workers who would choose to do so, get together for a short prayer, or a scripture reading, and to offer prayer intentions.

Jesus said in Sunday's Gospel, "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them." It would be a good reminder to all that Jesus in present as we go about our work each day. Maybe we and our co-workers would be more kind, cooperative, and more pleasant. Perhaps it would make work not feel like a burden. Maybe I am a dreamer.
Each morning when I get to school I invite Christ to be with me throughout the day as I teach and interact with my students and co-workers. A few of us teachers used to pray for a few minutes, but once the person who organized it left, no one picked up the ball to continue. I think I will invite others to join me in prayer in the morning. I will let you know the outcome. Will you take a chance and try it at your place of work? If so, let me know about it.

Pearl of Great Price

I have been wanting to post for the last few weeks, however, I had a family emergency, then I went to Cape May for retreat. When I got back, we had a discernment weekend in community, I had to get my classroom ready, and attend three inservices. I will try to get back to regular posting.
Last month was the gospel reading of the parable of the pearl of great price. I went to retreat hoping to reclaim and deepen that Christ is my pearl of great price. This was a different retreat for me in that I had a different conference time with my director than I have had in the past. I prayed in a different area of the beach. I had to set up my prayer times differently, and I had to learn how just to be. Well, I prayed with the Song of Songs, the Good Shepherd passage from John's Gospel, and a few others. I sat on a rock near the jetty reflecting and letting the ocean waves hit my legs. As the water swirled around me, I was reminded that my relationship with God is like a dance, a movement, or a symphony. It is give and take, back and forth, gentle, and sometimes turbulent. I also imagined that it was God's graces swirling around me.
I made my own footprints in the moist sand, and picked up several seashells. I sat in my beach chair and took long walks in the evening as I continued to pray and reflect. During one of my reflections midway through the retreat I was reflecting on how Jesus, while in the tomb, was waiting for the transformation to become and be what he fully was from the beginning before he came to earth--God. He was coming home to himself.
When I am on retreat, I always have the sense of not only being still, but also coming home to myself. Rabbi Heschel said, "Just to be is a blessing." To be and become who I am fully meant to be as a person and as a Sister of St. Joseph continues to unfold. Not only is God my pearl of great price, but the graces I have received are pearls of great price also.

JUBILEE

This past Sunday, five of our sisters celebrated their 60Th jubilee. Some family members and friends of the jubilarians were also present for the occasion. The jubilarians are Sr. Ann Amen, Sr. Leonella Gingenbach, Sr. Mary Carol Hoke, Sr. Maria Onuffer, and Sr. Barbara Ann Zakutney. After a lovely liturgy, there was a brunch for all who attended.

I am always in awe of God's fidelity to the sisters and the sisters fidelity to God for sixty years. I get excited about God's fidelity and my fidelity for these past nineteen and a half years. I know that it takes prayer, reflection, relationships within the community, and a personal relationship with Christ to continue nurturing my vocation as a Sister of St. Joseph.

I would ask you to pray each day as I do for all women and men religious that their fidelity and love of God will deepen. Pray as well for those who are considering vocations.

SACRED HEART OF CHRIST

On the Feast of the Sacred Heart I was reflecting on what makes Christ's heart so beautiful. It contains so much love for all people; the sinners, the saints, the lost, the broken, the rich, the poor, the young and the old. (I'm sure you could add more). Christ's heart holds so much mercy and forgiveness and so much sorrow for a troubled world. When I see the Sacred Heart it reminds me that Christ has the strength for the despairing. His heart longs for each of us to be united with him. It also contains much joy when the lost are found, the broken are healed, and sinners repent.

Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thine.

GOLDEN JUBILEE

This past Saturday two of our sisters, Sr. Michele Healy and Sr. Moira Sullivan, celebrated fifty years in community. With family, sisters, associates, and friends present, the celebration was wonderful. At the liturgy, Fr. Sullivan, Sr. Moira's brother, gave a beautiful homily. Also, all the sisters were invited to renew their vows along with Moira and Michele. Later, a dinner was held at the Shriner's Club. Then, in the evening, a picnic was enjoyed by all.

At each jubilee I can't help but reflect on the fidelity of the sisters celebrating, but also on the fidelity of God who called each of them to this way of life. Each sister has her own story of how and why she felt called to religious life, as well as how she responded. Some have known from a very young age that they wanted to be in community, well others struggled with making a decision and waited a few more years. However, no matter what the call story is, each sister continues to be faithful to God, to her congregation, and the ministry in which she is involved. Each one continually chooses to daily say, "Yes" to the deepening of the relationship with God and with those to whom she serves. Fidelity is enhanced through prayer, community, and even in times of trouble or despair. Our fidelity as Sisters of Saint Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania carries on a tradition of 150 years of women meeting the needs of the "dear neighbor."

As I have mentioned in other posts, I have been in community for nineteen years. Each day I am grateful for God's faithfulness to me and the grace for me to be faithful to God. Continue to pray for us, and for those who will yet be called.

GENTLENESS, PEACE, JOY

This is the last week of school for me. I always find this time of year to be stressful. Trying to close up my classroom, teaching the students whose brains are already on vacation, and keeping up with the rest of life can take its toll on me. So how do I get through it all? It takes just three words; gentleness, peace, and joy to keep me on the straight and narrow.

My spiritual director gave me these words from our Maxims of Perfection which tell us to approach each task with gentleness, peace, and joy. As I begin my day I pray for peace as I get ready and leave for school. Before the students come into the classroom I pray for patience and gentleness that is so much needed at this time of year. During the day, as I realize that I have been patient and gentle, I find joy in who I am as Sister of Saint Joseph, a teacher, and a beloved of God.
I never get my classroom finished by the last day of school and always have to return for a couple of days to get done. However, by keeping those three words in the forefront of my prayer I can do the best I can knowing that it will take me longer than everyone else without getting worked up about it. So, I look at my classroom and think to myself I will be here as long as it takes therefore, be at peace.