Listen WIth Your Heart

 Each morning, I receive a quote from Pope Leo via email and the one that came today seemed perfect for today’s Gospel. "Today, so often, we lose the ability to listen, to really listen. We listen to music, we have our ears flooded constantly with all kinds of digital input, but sometimes we forget to listen to our own hearts and it’s in our hearts that God speaks to us, that God calls us and invites us to know him better and to live in his love." Pope Leo XIV

In today’s Gospel we hear the familiar story of Jesus visiting Martha and Mary. Martha was busy about many things and Mary choose to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen. Two opposite reactions to this special visit by Jesus. Martha exasperated told Jesus to tell Mary to help her. Jesus’ response must have shocked Martha to her core. Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen the better part, and it would not be taken from her. I can’t begin to think how Martha must have felt. Martha must have felt rejected and dismissed by Jesus.

When I prayed this morning, I realized that I have far more many Martha moments than Mary. I found myself looking at each one of them and came to the realization that while I desire to be more like Mary I do get caught up in the busyness of life and therefore relate to Martha more easily. Deep down I know I desire to be more like Mary, but it is very hard to change old habits.

Perhaps this is a good Gospel to pray with as I begin my own retreat tonight. I am looking forward to being on retreat this week and pray for the grace to be more like Mary as I enter into it. Have a great week and know that I will be praying for all and I count on your prayers for me. Blessings…

100 Days of Prayer, Fasting and Advocacy

On Wednesday, July 9^th Ursulines around the world gathered to participate in the 100 Days of Prayer, Fasting and Advocacy sponsored by the LCWR (Leadership Conference of Women Religious.) The impact of violence and conflict in our world has risen to epic proportions. In response to this situation, the LCWR invited religious congregations in the US to pray for our country. The three US provinces committed to July 9^th, the Feast of the Martyrs of Orange. During the troubles of the French Revolution, 29 Sisters, expelled from their convents, found refuge in a house at Bollène. During their eighteen months there, they shared their life of prayer and total poverty. Arrested in April 1794 because they refused to swear the oath required by the city officials, an oath their conscience condemned, they were jailed on May 2 at Orange.

They organized themselves and consecrated the essential part of their time to prayer. Condemned to die by the Popular Commission, then commanding in the actual Chapel of Saint-Louis, they were transferred to the ancient Theater, where they awaited to climb the guillotine erected in Saint Martin’s Court. They all went up to the scaffold joyfully, singing and praying for their persecutors, who admired their courage. These women took an unpopular stance and, in our world, today we are called to do the same. 

On July 9^th, we gathered via zoom to pray together and have small group discussion. There were a number of sisters from across the country and even one from Australia. It was a true experience of unity and commitment. Several of our provinces around the world gathered to pray together in solidarity with us.

Below is the prayer we used. As we continue the journey let us be people of hope and ambassadors of peace.

Seek to spread peace and concord wherever you are.” (Angela Merici)

O God, Source of all that is,

we find ourselves with heavy hearts these days –

hearts made heavy by the reality of violence, war, and disasters,

and the suffering and destruction they bring.

In places far and near, the violence and death seem endless.

We hold in our hearts and in our prayers

our wounded and weary world.

We pray for an end to the injustice, violence, and war

that seem to hold our world in their grip,

and that we sometimes find in our own hearts.

We pray you, O God,

disarm our hearts and disarm our world,

that the rights and dignity of all may be respected and protected;

remind us that we all share life together

as sisters and brothers to each other.

We pray for peace and justice, O God,

and that each of us may be an instrument

of peace and justice in our world. Amen.

Diane Fulgenzi, OSU

 

The Harvest

 

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9: 37-38

A simple quote from today’s Gospel speaks volumes to me. There is so much going on in our world right now that it is sometimes hard to keep up with it all. Watching the news is a harsh reality right now as there is so much pain and suffering, war and violence, natural disasters and record temperatures. Time is marching on in a feverish pace.

One of the most tragic stories this week was that of Camp Mystic which was washed away in a storm surge. Two dozen campers are missing and there is a mass effort to find them. The governor of Texas is not giving up hope for their survival. He stated that we need to move fast and find them, until they are found the presumption is that they are still alive. I can not fathom the pain and suffering of their families. We need to hold them and their families in prayer and not lose hope.

Jesus told His followers to offer peace to those who welcome them and if the were not welcomed to leave. In our current world we need to offer deep peace to one another. We need to be willing to take the risk of rejection and move on if necessary. Our times call for a great deal of letting go and letting God take the lead. We can become rather dismal about our current reality, but we need to remember that God is always by our side leading us day in and day out. May we always be welcoming of others and may we always be welcomed.

Transition of Leadership

Today we had our transition of leadership prayer service. The prayer included a blessing for the old leadership team and a blessing for the new team. one of the readings was When a Wise Woman Leads. I have read this before and today it had a greater meaning for me.

When wise women lead, they call a circle together and make a space for stories to be shared, hopes to be uttered, and revelations to unfold.

When wise womae leads, they listen to the voice and hear the spirit. They step up and out, even when the path ahead is rugged or unclear. 

When wise women lead, they dare to be vulnerable, dare to be real, dare to speak from a place of unknowing.

When wise women lead, the experience of the journey is as important as arriving.

When wise women lead, they  thinks with their head, ponders with their heart, decide with their soul.

When  wise women lead, they know when to leave, when to let go, and when to push on.

When wise women lead, they bear witness to our oneness and choose what is best for the common good.

Wise women are a tempest against injustice, a torrent of hopefulness, a wellspring of wisdom.

As we move foward and our new leadership team takes the mantle may we allow our God to open our hearts to deepen our call and recognize your presence among us.

Prayer for Peace

Today after the Angelus prayer Pope Leo XIV said,

“Dear brothers and sisters,  

Alarming news continues to emerge from the Middle East, especially from Iran. Against this tragic backdrop, which includes Israel and Palestine, people’s daily suffering, especially in Gaza and the other territories, where the need for adequate humanitarian aid is becoming increasingly urgent, risks being forgotten.

Today more than ever, humanity cries out and calls for peace. This is a cry that requires responsibility and reason, and it must not be drowned out by the din of weapons or the rhetoric that incites conflict. Every member of the international community has a moral responsibility to stop the tragedy of war before it becomes an irreparable chasm. There are no “distant” conflicts when human dignity is at stake.

War does not solve problems; on the contrary, it amplifies them and inflicts deep wounds on the history of peoples, which take generations to heal. No armed victory can compensate for the pain of mothers, the fear of children, or stolen futures.

May diplomacy silence the weapons! May nations chart their futures with works of peace, not with violence and bloodstained conflicts!

I wish everyone a happy Sunday, and I bless those who are actively participating in the feast of Corpus Christi today, including those who are singing, playing music, decorating with flowers, displaying crafts and, above all, praying and taking part in the procession. Thanks to you all and have a good Sunday!

Let us pray for our world that there will be peace.

Prayer for Peace in our World

Lord, we pray for peace in our hearts, in our homes, in our world. We pray for countries to find diplomatic solutions that will bring harmony between nations. We pray for wars to end. We give thanks for your promise that one day there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. Until that day, we pray for your continued grace and goodness to overflow in this world so that humans can live alongside one another respectfully, allowing for mutual flourishing. Please give those in authority the patience, humility, wisdom and endurance to persevere in bringing about positive solutions for their nations. Amen.

Jubilee

Yesterday we celebrated the 25th anniversary of one of our sisters. The theme for her jubilee celebration was connecting circles. During her prayer service she reflected on the five circles of her life -- Family, Friends, Ursuline Community, Wider Religious Life and Ministry. For each circle she explained the connection and a symbol was brought forth to represent those in that circle. We started with her family with a beautiful crewel that her mother had made and a single rose to recall her mom's presence among us. For her friends three multi colored roses were brought forward. For the Ursuline Community our crucifix, and for her ministry the Serviam shield was brought forward. The Serviam shield is the Ursuline motto around the world. It means "I will serve."

Each of the symbols truly reflected the circle it portrayed and was brought forward by someone in that particular circle. After each was place in front of the altar we sang, "O God, you are the center of my life. I will always praise you, I will always serve you, I will always keep you in my sight." It was a most inspiring reflection for all those present. Needless to say there were tears of joy and happiness throughout the Chapel. The celebration truly was a reflection of the jubilarian. Everyone present whether in person or via Facebook Live was touched by the beauty of the prayer service. A community of circles joined together to celebrate the life they touched along the way. The image below was the focus for the celebration. It truly reflects the celebration and all its parts. May the years ahead be filled with many blessings for her and the Ursuline community.

                                            

Pentecost Sunday

Today we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost -- the Birthday of the Church. I always enjoy this Feast and have fond memories of it. At Mass this morning one of the songs was Send Down the Fire by Marty Haugen.

     Send down the fire of your justice, Send down the rains of your love;

     Come, send down the Spirit,breathe life in your people, and we shall 

     be people of God.

Call us to be your compassion, Teach us the song of your love; 

Give us hearts that sing, Give us deeds that ring, Make us ring 

with the song of your love.

Call us to learn of your mercy, Teach us the way of your peace; 

Give us hearts that feel, Give us hands that heal, Make us walk 

in the way of your peace.

Call us to answer oppression, Teach us the fire of your truth; 

Give us righteous souls, 'Til your justice rolls, Make us burn 

with the fire of your love.

Call us to witness your Kingdom, Give us the presence of Christ; 

May your holy light Keep us shining bright, Ever shine with the 

presence of Christ. Marty Haugen

This song speaks volumes to me especially during this time. 

Our world is in such need of the fire of God's justice and love. 

We need to pray for God's intervention to shower us with peace, love,

and hope. May this Pentecost fill us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The following prayer was shared by Liturgical Press.

Come, Spirit of God!

 

Pentecost by Navarro Pérez Dolz, Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Sagrado Corazón, Barcelona, Spain. Photo by Jozef Sedmak. Getty Images.

Pentecost Prayer The earth rejoices, it bears its first fruit of glory: Jesus has risen to the Father! In joy, the earth brings forth the promise! Calm in its humility, it draws the light from on high. Come, Spirit of God! Come engulf the universe in your glory! You are the life of all life, the youth that renews everything. You are the heart of the world, beating in the rhythm of love. You are the joy and hope that bear us to the Father. — Days of the Lord  “Pentecost Prayer,” Days of the Lord, Liturgical Press, 1993.  May your heart be ablaze with the love of God through the Holy Spirit.