SAINT JOSEPH'S DAY

On Saturday our congregation celebrated the Feast of Saint Joseph. We began with an uplifting liturgy. During the liturgy, the sisters renewed their vows and our associates renewed their commitment. I always find renewing our vows to be a sacred moment. It is each of us proclaiming our "Yes" once again. It is also a reminder of what we said yes to. It is a time to celebrate who we are as Sisters of Saint Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania. Our vows, our charism, our spirituality, and our mission are deeply a part of our being. As I said a couple of weeks ago, I thank God for this call and for who I am.

The liturgy was followed by a wonderful brunch. The celebration committee as well as others set and decorated the tables. Our kitchen staff outdid themselves in the preparation and serving. Door prizes were given out. An enjoyable time was had by all.

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

Today's Gospel reading from Matthew is about Jesus' temptation in the desert. He had just heard God calling him his "Beloved Son" when he was baptized in the Jordan. Then the Spirit led him into the desert. There he was tempted by Satan three times. I have heard some wonderful homilies on this passage. What I want to share is a reflection I remember that has always stuck with me and also some of my own thoughts.
Satan begins each of the three the temptations with, "IF you are the Son of God..." He is obviously aware of what Jesus heard at the Jordan and wants to test him. Satan tries to play on Jesus' weakness. He is expressing his doubt of Jesus' identity. By tempting him, Satan thinks that Jesus will also begin to doubt his own identity as the Son of God.

What about you? When, where, what and by whom have you found cause to doubt your own identity as a beloved son or daughter of God? Has there been a time when someone did not think you were good enough or capable enough to do a task or complete a job even when you thought you could do so? Did you do something to prove yourself, or did you just believe what the other person said? How did you feel? Was your self-confidence stripped away?

Perhaps there have been times when you caused yourself to not believe in your own identity as a beloved of God. You may have failed at a task. You may have lost your job. You may have hurt someone. So you put yourself down and doubt your own self-worth. You may even feel that you are unlovable. No matter what we say or do, God never disowns us and always calls us back. God never stops loving us, nor does God ever decide that we can't be God's beloved anymore. Being loved by God gives us dignity and strength to be and do all that we can in Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Often, when we are on retreat, we may given a chance to pray and reflect on how much God loves us. We are renewed and reminded that we are God's beloved son or daughter and that nothing can separate us from the love of God. We can rejoice in the graces we received because we do recognize who we are in the sight of God.

Remember, Satan will do or say anything to make you feel like an "Unbeloved" of God. In those times of temptation or doubt, allow yourself to be filled with the love of God. Hear God say to you, " You are my beloved son/daughter on whom my favor rests."

LENT

Lent began last Wednesday with Catholics receiving ashes on their foreheads as a sign reminding us of who we are and how we were made. This is a time to return to the Lord by prayer, fasting, and alms giving. It is a time of reflection and prayer. We do a lot of focusing on our physical well being. However, Lent is a time to focus on our spiritual well being. It calls us to renew our relationship with God, go deeper into prayer, be reconciled to others, and care for those in need. How will you spend this Lent?

While we are renewing our spiritual selves, nature is also renewing itself. We will see little more sunlight each evening. The snow will melt. The birds have already begun to chirp more. Hope for warmth and sunshine and summer days is renewed. We look forward to not only more sunlight but also the light of Christ to come back into our lives that we may share his light with others.

MAGNIFICAT

This past Tuesday, March 1st, was the nineteenth anniversary of my entrance into community. Each year, when this date comes around, I can't help feeling a sense of awe that God has called me to religious life. I say a prayer of thanksgiving and reflect on my life as a Sister of Saint Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania. Last year I wrote a Magnificat and I have been praying it ever since. I want to share it with you. The only change I made is the number of years.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord

And my spirit rejoices for the past nineteen years.

For God who has called me to religious life has blessed me.

Trustworthy is His name.

You have gifted me with courage to risk

You've graced me with perseverance and hope.

When I was down and desperate for help

you held me tightly.

You nourished my soul.

You have given me companions on the journey

Who guide me, strengthen me, and teach me.

They pray and listen, love and challenge me to grow.

For these I give thanks.

You have given me a vision for my life.

You've deepened a charism in me.

Drawing me closer to you has drawn me to long for

and love you more.

I am your delight!

From now on your love will chase after me

everyday of my life,

And I will know your love and fidelity

as you promised to me forever.

TRANSFORMATION

I just came back from the first of three phases of a workshop on the Transformation of Religious Life in North America. About 130 men and women religious attended this meeting which included those in leadership positions, formation personnel, and newly professed members. We discussed the importance of religious communities not remaining the way they have always been. They must move forward and transform themselves to continue the mission to which they were called at their founding. Religious communities need to let go of the memories that encumber them and hold on to the memories that energize them.

There was time for table discussion at which each person expressed where they felt their congregation was a this point in time about transformation. The facilitators/speakers, Luisa Saffiotti and Finten Sheenan are well known to the Religious Formation Conference and gave us much to ponder by stirring up a lot of questions we need to ask ourselves. The weekend was heavy, however, it was also very exciting. I think the most important point I brought back with me is the urgency of transformation of religious life.

PRAYER

With my prayer group a couple of weeks ago, we reflected on the importance of praying and sitting in silence for twenty minutes a day. The reflection mentioned all the possibilities that sitting in silence can do for us and how it can change us on the different situations of our lives. It helped us to see how we can grow in relationship with others as well as with our God. With all the noise in the world, our culture, and the business of our lives we need to take that twenty minutes a day to help keep us in balance. We need prayer and quiet time. I (we) cannot function well without it.

SALT AND LIGHT

Today's reading from Matthew 5:13-16 has so much to reflect on. I will try to sum up some of the two homilies I heard and my own reflection. Jesus said, "YOU are the salt of the earth," and, "YOU are the light of the world."

My first reflection was on those who have been light and salt for me. These people have shown me the way when I felt I was in darkness. They put flavor in my life when I felt flat or lacked enthusiasm. Some of these people brought the light of scripture to me and taught me how to pray with God's Word. Others helped me journal and voice what was going on in my heart and in my relationships with Christ and other people. For these people, I am deeply grateful.

Then I reflected on how I am salt and light for others. All of our gifts and talents are given for the common good. St. Paul says that in his letter to the Corinthians. So, where and how are my gifts shared? First of all I think with my students and their families. I share with them the love of Christ for each one. I help bring light to parents who miss the fact that their child may have a learning disability or an attention issue. I bring light to how they can help their child at home. I let parents know I am praying for them.

Secondly, I try to be light and salt to my congregation. I use my gifts and talents by doing formation work, expressing enthusiasm for the life we lead, proclaiming scripture, helping to plan a community day, or planning prayer for my prayer group. I try to be light of hope and presence to the sisters in our Marycrest area.
Finally, I try to be light and salt for my family. My daughter-in-law is having surgery this Tuesday, and I am the listening ear for both her and my son. I hope to be present with them on Tuesday, however Erie weather is unpredictable. I listen to my sisters concerns, my mother's joys and woes. Being a listening ear helps keep me in touch with my family.
What good is salt if it goes flat? It will not flavor the food. Jesus said we do not put a lamp under a bushel basket, but rather we put it out where all can see it and benefit from its light. So must we use our gifts and talents to be and do for others and it is all for the glory of God. Our faith is not just a "me and God" kind of faith. It is a faith that must be shared. Our light can make a difference in another person's life.

How are you called to be salt of the earth and light of the world? Let your light shine!