The Holy Innocents

When I was a child, one of my 'church books' (church book - a book I was allowed to look at during Mass) that I was always most drawn to was this story, from the Gospel today. There was something in this story, that as a small child, drew my heart to the tragedy of all those children. I just remember the pictures of the soldiers walking through the arches with swords in hand and mothers everywhere fallen to the ground weeping over the bodies of their lifeless children. I had, somehow, forgotten that book, until today.

As I was reminded of the story today, it led me to ponder first, "What was so appealing to be about that book?" I wonder if I looked at it in curiosity, confusion, or compassion...what was it? Could it be my heart hurting for those who die so young, so innocent, so holy? My mother had a still born child. At that early of an age, could I have been sympathizing with the other woman who lost their babies? I'm still reflecting about that!

I went to celebrate Mass with our senior sisters, and Fr. Michael elaborated on this tragedy that caught my attention from a very early age. We were asked, have you ever known someone who, though many were affected (or in some cases even died), escaped tragedy, and was left asking the questions, "Why me? Why did I survive?" It was proposed that Jesus might have, in His humanity, wondered the same thing. Why me?

That "Why me?" is a question that we must all find ourselves asking at some point in our lives. Two minutes earlier and we would have been in a car accident. Just a few minutes earlier on the train and that could have been us...we've all experienced this, so, why us? Good question. The answer is what we do. The answer is how we respond with action to the call of God in our lives everyday, because if we're still here, there is a "why." There is a reason. And the world offers us too many examples of "holy innocents' today, too many unjust 'deaths.' It should be our goal...our reponsibility...our purpose to be the 'reason' why we're still here (or at least try)! It's not an easy thing to attain, but one that Christ also sought, himself! Let us get to work!

Family

Today, in the Church, we celebrated the feast of the Holy Family, a feast that is only 89-years old! It was begun because of the disintegration of the family. It was a celebration that originated in Canada! Fr. Stephen today posed the question, basically asking, "Has it helped?" Has it mattered for our 'sense of family,' to have a feast that commemorates the very family that welcomed our Lord here on earth. His answer was honest...maybe not... BUT more, he stressed the importance of families, both of birth and of desire. He recognized the reality of disfunction within both, but highlighted the fact that at times, they are all we have.

The homily today reinforced my appreciation and love for families, both of birth and desire, despite difficulty and disfunction!

Family of Birth



Families of Desire



We are reminded a lot about family in the readings and the Gospel today!

December 22, a day to remember!!!

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For he has looked upon his lowly servant..." This describes me right now!

"When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit..." This describes my mom right now!! :) Her exact words were "I feel like Elizabeth when Mary came to greet her. Mary had such good news and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. My heart leapt with joy at your news. And my spirit is full to the point of tears. Bless you!" Thanks, Mom!

Today I went to meet with our Provincial about my future! She said that she spoke with the Superior General of our congregation and that it is official that I am accepted in the formation program of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus! My heart is SO JOYFUL right now!!!! The process will be challenging and lasts a long time, but just the idea of beginning makes me rejoice!



When I was talking to the Provincial, I was reminded of all of the people that have contributed greatly to my life, starting with Jesus, my parents, my family (biological and parish!), my friends, and the Missionary Sisters themselves! This time for me has been one of uncertainty, but of great faith in the will of God. I feel affirmed today that I'm listening. May my life be a continuous effort to be aware of Jesus in everything that I do! I truly feel that this is how God has been calling me to respond in my relationship with him, and I am so grateful for the support that has been offered by all! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

I need to go call my dad and my sisters, but I wanted you to know because I don't want to miss sharing it!! I want to shout from the rooftops!!! :)



Today we celebrate Mother Cabrini's entrance into heaven. This is typically the celebrated feast day of a saint, but hers is in November. It is very special for me to officially begin this part of my journey on the day that she finally got to see Jesus, whose Sacred Heart was the center of her life! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peace and Joy to you as we prepare to welcome Jesus, again, in a couple days!

Angelic Voices

(Jer 23:5-8; Mt 1:18-25)The Gospels reveal precious little about the man who became Mary's husband, and how he overcame the cultural and religious traditions that stood between them. What we do know is that Joseph had the courage to listen to an angel in a dream so vivid that it could not be ignored. In what ways have you listened to angelic voices?

YESSSS!!! Go, Joseph!!!

In the Heights: Paciencia y Fe

On Friday we went to see "In the Heights" on Broadway! The productions was a humbling reminder of how important these two things are - PATIENCE and FAITH.

PATIENCE
It hard for me to remember to wait. I'd imagine that you might struggle, too, so we're in this together! It's important to be active in our lives, but so often, there's an element that we cannot control about what happens in our life: timing! Sr. Grace always says that, "Everything happens on God's time and God is ALWAYS on time." That's hard to remember when we're working and not seeing results. It's especially hard for me in times of frustration and uncertainty. We're all challenged to grow and move forward. It's easy to think that should have happened...yesterday. Tonight was the reminder that it's not about my schedule, or even yours. It's about His! How can we wait?...with faith!

FAITH
Faith is an essential element in having the patience to wait for God's timing....it's a willingness to believe and really trust that God will be and do all that we need as it fits into the bigger picture. That's probably even harder than waiting! But together they give us the strength to continue. We receive the strength to be active and move forward based on the promptings of our heart. We receive the courage to be, knowing nothing more than that we feel what we are doing is of God.

My prayer is, then, as we enter into the Advent season, that we be ever mindful of the need for patience and faith in our lives, as we await the birth of Jesus, and as we continue to try answer God's call in our lives as Mary and Joseph did!