Lost and Found

There is so much material to reflect on in the parable of the Prodigal Son from yesterday's gospel. It is one of my favorite readings during Lent. The younger son was lost when he received his share of his father's inheritance and spent all of it on women, gambling, drinking. Eventually, he ran out of money, worked feeding pigs, and was hungry. You know the rest of the story of how he was welcomed back and forgiven by his father and not welcomed by his older brother.

We too can get lost in the same ways as this young man did. However, there are other ways of getting lost. These are just some brief thoughts I had.

We can get lost in our emotions. Depression causes us to turn inward and shut others out. We are lost to those who love us and care about us. We can lose ourselves by not remembering or caring who we are and the wonderful gifts we possess. Sometimes we may choose to not help ourselves by not seeking help. Yet we can be found! It might mean talking to a therapist and allowing ourselves to accept love from family and friends.

We can be lost spiritually. Many time when things don't go our way, prayers are not answered quickly enough, death of a loved one, or some other tragedy, we blame God. When this happens we might stop praying or attending the sacraments. We might lose faith in God. Yet we can be found! It can be as simple as uttering, "God help me for I cannot help myself". I believe that the moment we do turn to God in our need, God takes over. Slowly the Spirit works in us to lead us back to life, love, and relationship with God. Talking to a priest or spiritual director can guide us in prayer and reflection to encourage and deepen our desire to be whole and holy once again.

In other ways, we can be lost in our stubbornness, meanness, selfishness, lack of respect for others, or like the older brother in the parable, refusing to forgive someone. Our egos can block our paths. These characteristics can keep us bound and unfree. They do not allow us to be open to others ideas or needs. They do not allow us to be in right relationship with God and others. Yet we can be found! By recognizing these things in us, we can change if we want to. We can pray for the graces to help us become and practice kindness, patience, sharing, respectful, merciful.

"Be still and know that I am God". Lent is a great time for reconciliation. Take advantage of the many opportunities during this season to attend the Sacrament. Take some quiet time this week to imagine yourself walking straight into the loving arms of God. Let God hold you close to his heart. Allow yourself to be forgiven and changed where you need it.

TWO THOUGHTS

My first is that yesterday our congregation listened to a speaker on the vow of Celibacy. Much of it was about being relational. As I continue to reflect on what I heard, not only are we as women religious called to relatedness, but so are those who are married or single, young or old. Our speaker reminded us that no one can live in isolation.

My second thought is about the parable of the fig tree in the Gospel today. Like the gardener who wanted to give the fig tree another year to try to bear fruit, so I think God is like that with us. God continues over and over again to give us another chance to be who God knows we are capable of being. God gifts us over and over again with all that we need to do what God calls us to do. God forgives us over and over again to get our act together and return to God's loving embrace. If God nurtures us so carefully and gently, shouldn't we do the same for each other? Isn't it all about being relational?

LISTENING

Today's Gospel tells about the Transfiguration of Jesus while he was on the mountain with three of his disciples. While Jesus was conversing with Moses and Elijah, the disciples heard a voice from heaven saying, "This is my chosen Son, listen to him".

Here we are beginning the second week of Lent. How are you doing with the ways in which you planned to observe Lent this year? Listening better in prayer is one thing I am trying to do this year. First of all it takes quiet and time. The quiet is easy. For me it is making the time that is a little more difficult. However, I'm working on it. Listening takes patience, faith, and an open heart. Sometimes, God doesn't speak as quickly I would like. I know the importance of waiting and staying focused in prayer. My spiritual director has said that whenever I am ready to give up, give a little more time and see what happens. Sometimes it is in those last few minutes, that I hear what I have been waiting for. I shared with my prayer group that a couple of years ago when I was on retreat, I was telling the director all the things I prayed and said to God. She asked me what his response was. I said I did not listen. I spent the whole retreat sitting still and listening.

Henry Nouwen says that when we are anxious, tense, or worried our anxiety does not allow us any space to listen. We cannot receive the voice of God. We need to create the space to listen so that we can hear the voice of God call us, "beloved". I hope you can make the time to sit still during this Lenten season to listen. I will continue to work at making time. Let us keep each other in prayer.

Oh, by the way, March 1st is my eighteenth anniversary in community. I am excited by that. Please pray a prayer of gratitude to God for calling me to this vocation. Thanks.

Congregational Retreat

I just realized that I did not blog last week! I do not have access to a computer at my mother's home, so it never occurred to me. I was at my home parish, St. Joseph, in Sharon, PA last weekend for the kick-off of their celebrating the 150th year of the parish. I gave a brief talk on some of the virtues of Saint Joseph and how they relate to us as Sisters of Saint Joseph.

This past weekend, our congregation participated in a Graced History Retreat. We began Friday evening reflecting on our personal light history. Our communal light history, our personal and communal shadow history were the areas we spent time with on Saturday. Then on Sunday we reflected on our personal and communal hope. Different sisters gave a reflection for each of the different areas. After each one, there was time for quiet reflection, then sharing in small groups. The beautiful prayers that began each session and our Sunday liturgy added to the sacredness of the retreat.

We are truly blessed to have occasions like these when we come together as a community to pray, reflect, and share. We share our gifts and talents, and recognize those of others. It is a time to hold one another in prayer and receive the graces God desires for each of us. It was a wonderful opportunity to forget the ordinary, hectic schedules, in which we are often involved, to be quiet. I was so aware of the respect for one another by everyone participating in staying as quiet as each person was able. I am truly grateful to have had this opportunity, and I am also grateful and happy to belong to this congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania.

World Day for Consecrated Life

This Sunday's readings focused on call, especially the call of Peter in the Gospel. Peter did not know what he was getting into at first. He stumbled along and said some foolish things. Yet, he was called and chosen to lead the disciples and became a wonderful example for all of us who struggle to do and say the right thing. At a homily I heard today, the priest said that whenever God calls he also blesses. Also, at my prayer group on Tuesday, the reflection stated that God calls the unqualified and qualifies those he calls.

God calls each of us differently. My call story is very different from other call stories that I have heard throughout the years. I have always found it interesting to hear how another sister felt called to religious life.

The call to live the Consecrated Life is one of the vocations that both women and men respond to by living the evangelical vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. They serve in parishes, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, social agencies, missions, and anywhere else there is a need. They do what they do for the love of God and others. Each community of men and women have their own charism or uniqueness that give them their sense of mission and purpose for existing.

Today is World Day for Consecrated Life. Pray for these men and women. Pray also for an increase in vocations to religious life.

If you have been thinking of a religious vocation, or have questions you would like to ask, e-mail me at s.lfusco@ssjerie.org.

Catholic Schools Week

Throughout the country Catholic Schools Week began today. The theme this year is "Catholic Schools: Dividends for Life". It focuses on the dividends of Faith, Knowledge, Discipline, and Morals.

At Blessed Sacrament School in Erie, where I teach, we began with a special liturgy this morning that included participation from students in each grade level. Our student choir and cantors led the singing. After liturgy, everyone went to the cafeteria for donuts and coffee, then they were invited to tour the school during the open house. Among the visitors to my classroom were alumni whose children will begin school next fall. It was wonderful to hear them recall their times as students. Most exciting for me was hearing them ask about our sisters whom they remember as their teachers and principals. These alumni remember their school days in a positive light.
I am a product of public school education, so I do not have the background or memories of the alumni I met today. I wonder if they realized then, as they do now, the value of their Catholic Education. I think it is great that they want the same experiences for their children.
What was your Catholic School Education Like? What do you treasure and hold in your heart of those memories?

Connections

One of our sisters gave me this quote today, "Connect with God first so you can connect with others." Prayer is an important part in the lives of women religious. Each sister spends time in quiet prayer, or reflection, or contemplation, or meditation, as well as communal prayer. This quiet time alone with God is what strengthens, consoles, empowers, and brings joy to go out and minister to others. This connecting with God first helps each sister to be and do what God desires of her in her ministry.

My quiet time is Sunday morning. With school and other commitments, I can easily fall asleep if I try to sit still on weekday evenings. Prayer, reflection, journaling, spiritual reading, and listening to spiritual music gifts me with the graces I need to be a good educator, a good Sister of Saint Joseph, a good member of my community, a good member of my family, and a good friend. I know without a doubt the importance of prayer in my life. I need to connect with God first at the beginning of the week to bring Christ to others. This connection with God reminds me who I am and why I do what I do.

How about you? Share with me, if you will, about your quiet time. Have a great week!