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September 2009 Archives
"What's it
like to be a sister?" I asked this question of Sr. Jerome so many years ago, when I was a junior at Cor Jesu Academy in St. Louis. I don't remember her answer. I do remember the question. Through that question, God was calling me. That question, that possibility stirred something within me. Through it I recognized the call. Something in me could not resist...something in me was drawn. Quite simply--I fell in love with God! My first felt memory of this was at Eucharistic Adoration. My eyes were inexorably drawn to the King of Love, contained in the frail host. I refused to utter the sentimental words we were given to pray. In my heart I looked with love on the One who looked with love on me. That was enough.
"What's it like to be a sister?" The reflection below captures what is the heart of our life and the heart of our life is Jesus. To enter for any other reason is not just foolish, but a mistake.
Religious Life grows into a spousal relationship. We tease at home--in the convent--"I have the best spouse of all!" And I do. He is always faithful, though I am weak. His love is constant, though I often miss the mark. His love is eternal and all I can do is as St. Therese taught--borrow His love, so I can love as he loves those He loves.
This may or may not answer the question: "What's it like to be a sister?", but it gives you a glimpse into our way of life.
Peace be with you!
Sr. Cora
RELIGIOUS LIFE
How great is your love, O Jesus!
Your love's so strong; it captures some!
Though their feet are planted here;
Their hearts beat in heaven with yours!
No permanent home, no spouse, no children!
"Come, my beloved, my lovely one, come!"
They hear and generously respond,
Like the gospel widow who tossed
Her last two coins into the Temple treasury:
Giving all, holding nothing back!
They give their lives to you with joy:
Their hands, their voices, their hearts are Yours;
Because you have need of it!
You Alone are their all,
Joyfully they pray:
"Do with me what you will!
Just let me know you;
Let me love you; let me follow you!
What sacrifice is too great?
What love can compare with your love?"
Choosing poverty, chastity and obedience,
They bind themselves to you
Who had no where to lay your head,
Who emptied yourself to fill us,
Who wedded yourself to a sinful people,
To make of us a Priestly People,
A Holy People, God's own People!
These our sisters and brothers, ordinary people,
Live hidden with You in God our Father;
Shine joyfully before the world, foreshadowing
A new heavens and a new earth.
You have so captured their hearts!
They trust in You with their all;
They lean not on their own understanding;
And you, the ever Provident, ever Loving,
Make their paths straight.
What words to sing of you,
save what you sing in us:
"Love one another as I have loved you?"
With hearts on fire, they strive to do as you do:
You the First Giver, the First Gift, Fire of Love!
Their gift of enduring love, a tiny drop,
In the Ocean of your Heart!
All they can do is follow you with joy,
The Divine Lamb, wherever you go!
For you call and they are Yours.
What a great gift we have in the Sacrament of Matrimony! This was revealed to me by the way my parents lived this sacrament. I share this reflection with you that together we may thank God for all the love He pours into our hearts through our families and most of all through the sacrifices and love of those out of love for each other gave life to us.
Together let us pray for our parents as we pray for the strengthening of the family in our world today.
Sr. Cora
Together let us pray for our parents as we pray for the strengthening of the family in our world today.
Sr. Cora
How great is your love, O Jesus!
At the dawn of creation
You and the Eternal Father called
Forth Adam from the dust of the earth.
So great his loneliness,
In compassion, You created Eve
From his side: Flesh of his flesh
And bone of his bone.
Made in your image and likeness;
Called to love as you love:
To be one-- A man and a woman
Generously pour themselves out
For their spouse and their family,
Joining together in sacred friendship,
Forming a family with you at the center.
Opening wide the arms of their heart,
They reach out, so all may find a home;
a place at the table. They tell the old stories
And laugh at the old jokes.
You who give yourself to us
In simple gifts of bread and wine at table.
We lowly ones need to see:
Again and again, couple after couple,
Your love revealed in their pledge of love:
I promise to be faithful to you
In good times and in bad,
In sickness and in health,
Till death do us part.
Their gift of enduring love reveals
To us Your face, O Jesus! In them we see You!
Their laughter, echoes your joy;
Their tears, a part of your sorrow.
They are our mothers and fathers,
Our brothers and sisters.
They give life by being who they are.
Plain spoken; they try not to impress.
But bless us with their presence.
They are who they are: Good people, solid people:
The Salt of the earth!
How great is your love, O Jesus!
A Eucharistic Congress to be held September 11-12, 2009
All are invited to attend a Eucharistic Congress on September 11-12, 2009 in Washington, DC at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The Congress, entitled Sacrifice of Enduring Love, is sponsored by the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR). There is no charge for admission to the two-day event that will explore three vocations in depth -- the Priesthood, Religious Life, and Marriage. In addition to other displays, a piece of the actual tilma of St. Juan Diego will be exhibited. For more information about the Congress, visit www.cmswr.org or write: P.O. Box 4467, Washington, DC 20017.
