The Big Question

Today in the Gospel reading we hear the story of Jesus asking St. Peter three times if he loved him.  What an amazing story! As we know, on the night before Christ’s crucifixion, Peter denied the Lord three times, publicly and adamantly!  Today, if we thought about denying Jesus to others I think we would be horrified.  But we often close our mind to Him when we sin. Today we see how Jesus dealt with Peter’s sin of denial which stemmed from his paralyzing fear.  Never would he have wanted to deny Jesus but he did – because he was afraid.  We don’t ever want to deny Jesus either but we do – because we are afraid, or angry or just plain weak.  How did Jesus deal with Peter? Three times He asked Peter if he loved him.  Peter said a definitive yes – a firm, strong yes!  And Jesus forgave him and made him the leader of His Church.  Jesus asks us today as well – "do you love Me?"  "Do you love me?"  " Do you love me?" Let us confess our sin, tell Jesus we are sorry, and tell Him – "Yes, Jesus I love you!"  And let’s say that over and over again throughout the day.  It is amazing what love can do!  

Happy Easter!

He is risen!  He is alive!

Because of this we have hope!

May your Easter Day be blessed with a deep certainty that God loves you!  How do we know this?  Because He sent His beloved Son to give His life for us - for you!  

Retreat this Saturday!

This coming Saturday, March 19 our community is holding its annual Lenten Retreat for Women.  The retreat begins with the 8:30 a.m. Parish Mass at St. Magdalen de Pazzi Parish in Flemington, NJ 

Keynote speaker is Sarah Christmyer, co-developer and founding editor of the Great Adventure Catholic Bible Study Program.  In addition there are workshops given by the Sisters.  The retreat ends at 1:15 p.m.  Suggested donation is $20.  However, all women are welcome.  

Sarah blogs at her web site: www.ComeIntotheWord.com. She can see her lovely picture and read about her there.  

Which son are we?

Tomorrow, the Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday),  the Gospel is the very familiar story of the Prodigal Son.  We all know the story but Bishop Barron gives us a fresh  slant as he comments on the the Father and the two Sons.  You might want to have a look at it.  Here is the link:

http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/the-prodigal-son-returns/5091/

His words are spirit and life

On Sunday mornings the Sisters pray together for an hour before Holy Mass.  We chant Morning Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours and then we meditate on the Readings for the Day, all in front of the Blessed Sacrament which is exposed on the altar in our chapel.  

 This morning I was restless and somewhat distracted.  I couldn’t seem to “get my act together” when it came to reflecting on the daily readings.  I read some brief commentaries because, as I tried to be silent and reflect, my thoughts were going here and there and I needed help to focus.  Finally, I closed my eyes and tried to surrender myself to the Lord.  The Gospel for today was the account of Jesus’ Transfiguration before Peter, James and John. 

God was faithful to me. I opened my eyes, looked at the host in the monstrance on the altar and the words from the Gospel immediately came to mind:  “This is my Beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.” These were the words the Father spoke in the midst of the cloud that enveloped Jesus and the Apostles. And they were God’s words for me today.  I was no longer restless and distracted.  I was looking at God’s Beloved Son - right there in front of me.  And in an hour I was able to receive Him in Holy Communion at Mass.  

Let us begin

Today we begin the first full week of Lent. You know, it is so easy to come to this point in the year and not be ready.  We often just get into Lent with fits and starts.  I must confess that this year I am ready!  After seeking the Lord's will I know how I am going to fast and what acts of mercy the Lord wants me to perform during this season of grace.  However, I realize that I need the Lord's grace to follow through! And at mid-Lent He might want me to change course!  

 I have read some wonderful articles in preparation.  There are so many resources on the Internet that can help us live this Lenten Season well.  I would like to share two with you - perhaps you already know about them.   Check out   http://www.BestLentEver.com

 or

http://www.lentreflections.com/

 You can sign up for brief  daily Lenten reflections that jump-start your day.  

As a Religious Sister I live in an environment and with other Sisters who support me in my spiritual life.  Daily Mass and Holy Hour are part of our day.  That is not true for everyone.  However, daily Mass or perhaps Mass on some days during the week are very possible.  So many parishes have Eucharistic Adoration and Friday Stations of the Cross.  There are parish retreats or days of reflection.  Traveling to work you can check your IPhone for other resources.  

I am asking the Lord to make this Lent MY best one ever.  What about you?  

A Prayer Pleasing to the Lord

A number of years ago I was kind of overwhelmed by the number of people I wanted to pray for, so many friends, family members, needs in the world that I decided to use my Rosary and on each Hail Mary Bead I would pray:  “For Mary and all of her needs, Lord have mercy.”  I was so proud of myself and so relieved that I could pray in that way, knowing that I could include everyone without having to spend long minutes in prayer for each intention.  Then….along came the Chaplet of Divine Mercy – God had the idea way before I did!  I felt as if God was encouraging me in my way of praying – He confirmed it, some might say!  So now I do pray the Chaplet with words that God Himself has given us through Saint Faustina! 

Here is a link on how to pray the Chaplet if you don’t already know how to do so.  You can find the Chaplet of Divine Mercy on CD’s; the prayers can be recited as well as chanted.  It is very simple and the prayers are very profound.  It can take only a few minutes; perhaps you can pray a decade at a time http://www.thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/praythechaplet.php

Here is a link to a very good article about Pope Francis and the Year of Mercy.  http://catholicpreaching.com/a-conversation-with-pope-francis-about-gods-mercy-the-anchor-february-5-2016/

Well worth reading!