Trinity Sunday

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Trinity. The Holy Trinity has been something that theologians have defined for a very long time.  Does God love me? It is a question that we most often ask. In our Gospel today we hear the familiar story from John’s gospel that “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” God’s love is always there for us.

In our world today there is so much pain and suffering. Watching the news can be painful at times. There are arrests, protests, hunger strikes, and violence. Our political situation continues to be contentious. I often find myself asking the question, why do we treat one another so badly? It is a question that is totally opposite of the quote from John’s Gospel.

As we are called this day to be people of faith, hope and love, let us take to heart the call in our scriptures today. The call is to be a people of peace, hope, and love. May we take time this day to look into our hearts and see what God is truly calling us to. We are called to act with justice, we are called to love one another, we are called to walk humbly with our loving God. Our loving God invites us to act with compassion, to have hearts full of gratitude. Let us live in the hope of God’s promise for each of us.

Pentecost Sunday

The word Pentecost comes from the Greek word meaning “fiftieth.” The feast is celebrated fifty days after Easter Sunday, which is why it always falls at the end of the Easter season. The event of Pentecost is described in Acts 2. The apostles were gathered in Jerusalem when a sound like a mighty wind filled the house, and “tongues as of fire” appeared and rested on each of them. Filled with the Holy Spirit, they began to speak in different languages, proclaiming the mighty works of God to Jews from many nations who had gathered in the city.

Pentecost is important because it reveals the Holy Spirit’s mission in the life of the Church. Jesus did not leave his disciples to carry out the gospel by their own strength. He sent the Holy Spirit to guide, sanctify, strengthen, and unite them.

Pentecost is often called the “birthday of the Church.” I remember as a child celebrating this special day with my family. It was a day that included a special meal and a cake for dessert. We celebrated the Holy Spirit in a special way that day.

One of my favorite Pentecost hymns is Send Us Your Spirit by Dan Schutte

1. Send us your spirit O Lord. Evening enfolds us and holds us too near. Wake the morning light. Make our living bright. Shine on our darkness O Lord. 

 2. Hold us with mercy O Lord. Sorrow has spoken, has broken our hearts. Clothe us in your care. Be the life we bear. Feed us and fill us O Lord. 

3. Teach us your wisdom O Lord. Shadows have clouded, have crowded our sight. Give us hearts that see. Set our loving free. Hear us and help us O Lord.

4. Send us good summer O Lord. Winters have chilled us and stilled u too long. Give us love's own fire. Be our true desire. Send us yoru spirit O Lord. .

            © Daniel L. Schutte and New Dawn Music, 1985.

May we see the Spirit among us in a new way today.

Pace e Bene

On May 13, ACWR (Archdiocesan Council of Women Religious) held a meeting at Mariandale Retreat Center featuring a presentation by Pace e Bene, an organization dedicated to fostering justice, peace, and the well-being of all through education, resources, and action for nonviolent change.

Sam Chawla-Rios, representing Pace e Bene, presented the unique work of this organization and its approach to navigating the complexities of working for peace. Sam explained the “two hands of peace.” One hand is raised to stop evil, refuse cooperation with it, and take a stance of nonviolent interference. The other hand is extended in love and compassion, saying, “I have faith that you can do better.”

Sam also spoke about the different dimensions of peace: peace within ourselves, with one another, within society and culture, and with the earth. He introduced the Gandhian “Iceberg” model, in which direct action is the visible portion, while constructive programs for peace and self-purification remain largely hidden beneath the surface.

The visible aspects include protest, safety teams, singing revolution, contact with government representatives, support for legislation, non-cooperation, boycotts, preparation for shutdowns, and illuminating injustice by speaking openly about it.

The less visible aspects include communication skills, empathy circles, active listening, and fostering the capacity to love through grief circles, where immigrants can express their fears and hopes. This work also encourages a shift in consciousness toward the “Beloved Community,” supported by art, music, and writing, such as Love Letter to an ICE Agent by Kaira Jewel Lingo. The hidden dimension also emphasizes peace within oneself through meditation, prayer, slowing down, limiting exposure to mainstream news, seeking out nonviolent news sources such as Nonviolent News, finding beauty, and continuing to learn.

Sam encouraged everyone to reflect on their own spheres of influence and to engage in this important work, recognizing its demonstrated effectiveness. 

How can you practice nonviolence this week?

Mother's Day Prayer

 

Today we celebrate Mother's Day. This is a day to honor all mother's living and deceased. Let us pray for all mother's this day that they may know our gratitude for all they have done.

A Prayer in Gratitude for Our Mothers

Good and Gentle God,
we pray in gratitude for our mothers and for all the women of theory who have joined with you in the wonder of bringing forth new life. You who became human through a woman, grant to all mothers the courage they need to face the uncertain future that life with children always brings.
Give them the strength to live and to be loved in return, not perfectly, but humanly.
Give them the faithful support of husband, family and friends as they care for the physical and spiritual growth of their children.
Give them joy and delight in their children to sustain them through the trials of motherhood. Most of all, give them the wisdom to turn to you for help when they need it most.

• Author Unknown
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Fifth Sunday of Easter

 

Today we hear the familiar story from John’s Gospel (John 14: 1-12) that assures us that in God’s house there are many dwelling places. Jesus assures us that om God’s house there are many dwelling places. In God’s house we all belong. There are many places in God’s house, and we all belong.

As I prayed this morning, the song Room at the Table by Carrie Newcomer kept coming to mind. The lyrics are:

Let our hearts not be hardened to those living on the margins
There is room at the table for everyone
This is where it all begins this is how we gather in
There is room at the table for everyone

Too long we have wandered burdened and undone
But there is room at the table for everyone
Let us sing the new world in this is how is all begins
There is room at the table for everyone

There is room for us all
And no gift is too small
There is room at the table for everyone
There's enough if we share
Come on pull up a chair
There is room at the table for everyone

No matter who you are no matter where you're from
There is room at the table for everyone
Here and now we can be the beloved community
There is room at the table for everyone

Songwriter: Carrie Ann Newcomer

This song has always had a profound impact on my heart. Jesus tells us that there is a place for everyone in God’s kingdom. Let us continue to have faith in the promise of Jesus that we will always be with God. God is love and all who live in God shall always be with God.