ONE IN MISSION

Getting my "missioning" letter from the motherhouse meant even more to me than usual this time. I have read it every day and hope to make a habit of that, to keep fresh in my mind what I am doing here in The City, far from the green fields of Kentucky.

"As community we are one in mission and ministry; the power of the entire community united in the Lord is present in the ministry of each member...together we stand with Jesus before (God) saying, "Here I am, Lord, send me." (from our Ursuline Way of Life)

I have felt so connected to community since coming here, in an even more powerful way, as my sisters and our associates reached out to me with a Christmas card "shower" and with many prayers and good wishes for this new ministry at the United Nations. In turn, I feel the real responsibility of representing them here, of being their face in this new work.

In the words of the missioning letter, I pledge to them to "witness to the joy and the challenge of the Gospel through (my) life of prayer, service, empowerment, justice, and contemplative presence, in the spirit of Angela Merici." And they must keep their promise to me of supportive prayer!

Ponder the face of God

The good news of Christmas is that God has become one of us in a little innocent baby.  Everyone delights in the face of a baby.   I am the proud great aunt of an great nephew, Robert Scott, who was born on December 5.  His innocent, tiny features captured my attention and I was momentarily caught up in the miracle of life once again.  The many years of awaiting a child in my niece's life awakened me to the treasure and miracle of giving birth to one's own son.   As I witness the mother and father gaze so lovingly and proudly upon the miracle of their love for each other, I find myself pondering also the miracle of the face of God in the Christ Child. 

The revelation of God comes to us in the face of an infant child.  The simple yet powerful source of peace, purity, and goodness.  This  awareness is also a recognition that in our human quest for God, God looks upon us with love.  In the face of God, in the look of God, being seen by God, we truly come to know peace.  On the upcoming celebration of Mary, Mother of God, how divine the vision of Mary holding the divine child in her arms.  May each of us always treasure the look of God in the face of those who love us and whom we love.  This is truly a mirror of God manifesting love and peace to our soul.  May you be graced as you ponder the birth of God into our world. Savor and ponder the face of God in numerous and sacred moments of this Christmas season.

Let your life witness

“For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

Today our diocese celebrates our patron saint,  Saint Stephen, deacon and martyr. Saint Stephen pray for us and intercede blessings upon our local church and the restoration and renewal of our Cathedral church building...

What does it mean to be a martyr? Does it mean to be like Saint Stephen, willing to give my very life for what I believe?  That is definitely one way, but not necessarily the only way.  The root of martyr is “witness,” and there are many ways I am called to witness. These can be familiar but they are no less courageous than the path Stephen took. Being a good friend, a loving sister or brother, honest in  ministry and work, compassionate—these are powerful forms of drawing others to the message of the Gospel and being Christ bearers attesting to the Good News. How will you testify to the gospel with your life today? On this second day of Christmas let us pray for a spirit of courage for that witness not only in words but with our lives.

For Unto Us a Child is Born

Jesus is born for us this day. What has really changed with his birth?  Is there peace?  Is there light? Have  I opened my heart to receive the marvels that God has in store for me?  I marvel at the sheperds who went in haste to look for the child, and having found him, they go out and announce it to everyone they meet.  They are examples for me of how to respond to the message of this day.  The new world that this child brings, the unity that his birth promises, is already unfolding in our midst.  Many people go out of their way to care for the needy, not only at this special time of the year, but throughout the entire year.  Many collect cans, clothing, distribute food, and volunteer their time and energy, helping to rebuild lives that have been devastated by natural diaster, social conditions, or war.  If I cannot see this new unity, perhaps it is because I am not doing anything to bring it about. 

I want to remember that Christmas is a time of promise, as is the birth of every child.  Today we celebrate the child born as our Savior, the Word of God, the Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Prince of Peace.  Jesus brings much unity, peace, healing, and hope into our world.  Jesus, you bring much peace, hope, healing and joy into my life.

What new life might you bring into our world?  May you take time to pause and reflect on the mystery of God's incomprehensible love in your life this Christmas.

Peace is within our reach

“The dawn from on high shall break upon us, . . . to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

The promise of peace is surely the greatest of all God’s gifts. For us as humans who get all caught up in fears and and competition year in and year out, the idea that there is a path toward peace is good news indeed. This solemnity of the Incarnation recalls that we believe Jesus was sent to us by God for the specific purpose of showing us the way of peace. Jesus is not only the Prince of Peace, Jesus is peace itself. Embrace Jesus and you embrace peace. Then, as promised, you will be filled with a sense of wholeness, harmony, healing, and hope. Let's proclaim with the angels, Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to all! Alleluia! For today is born for us, Jesus, Our Savior, Prince of Peace!  Alleuia!

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

When I was trying to cheer the Belleville Ursulines as they worked through the hard decisions that involved leaving their home and merging with our community, I commented that "Our home is in the heart of God." Certainly not that original, but it struck a chord with Sister Frances, and she continued to use it on ME now and then.

Now that she is indeed Home, in the heart of God, I guess she's still using it on me, because I feel its consolation as I begin to feel at home in The City. I was particularly moved last Sunday as I slipped into the familiar ritual of the Mass--as always pleasantly surprised at how our shared faith and liturgical celebrations make us "at home" wherever we go in the world. And how the common sisterhood we share with all women religious can make us at home almost anywhere we find ourselves.

So to all my dear friends who are worried about me being "away from home" at Christmas--I'm safe at home in this house, behind this door marked "204," with the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, who adopted me last spring and have adopted me again! Come Monday, I will begin again to make my home in the heart of God on East 19th Street--a new adventure!

A blessed Christmas to all who believe that God chose to make a home with us, and a New Year full of conviction that "all will be well, and all manner of things will be well!"

STUFF

Packing to leave home this time was (as it always is) a real lesson in priorities. I really went wild this time, getting rid of so much stuff that a sister I live with scolded me saying, "Michele, you're moving, not dying!" The winnowing out was an exhausting process, because each little thing I picked up was a decision point, shaving off a little bit of my earlier choices and personal history.

But it was a very free-ing process-- I even shredded my journals dating back to 1985 (sorry, if you were planning to use them to advance my cause for beatification!) and there was a real sense of starting over, of beginning a new chapter, of turning my face toward the future instead of looking back over my shoulder at the past. It must be how a tree feels after shedding this season's leaves.

I think as a matter of self-preservation I will be working even harder to practice the sacrament of the Present Moment: just do THIS thing now and focus on it, rather than trying to anticipate all the problems I will have all week (my strategy of the past.) Maybe with practice I will manage to get a C+ in "present momenting" before I die! It's a worthy goal, anyway.

May every moment of the rest of Advent help lead us to that moment that shall be timeless,,,

Be thou my Vision...

There is reference in today's Scripture for Mass which stirs hope... " I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in the name of the Lord..."  What is the purpose of this remnant and is there evidence of a remnant in our lives today?  I think it is pretty clear what God is doing. God is recreating us, gathering the faithful remnant and transforming us, purifying us and inviting us into a place of refuge.  There is hope for the remnant, for the community, a promise of hope and peace that will come "on that day."  

I am encouraged today " to take refuge in the name of  God while waiting "for that day."  
Give me new sight and perfect vision.  Relying on your goodness, O God, I humbly ask through the intercession of your servant, Saint Lucy, to give perfect vision to our eyes, that we might serve for your greater honor and glory. 

These are the words of Juan Diego,  whose feastday we recall today. "I am a nobody. I am a small rope, a tiny ladder, the tail end, a leaf..."  Juan's words provide for me much to aspire toward in my faith. Juan is a wonderful mentor for my life in the virtue of humility.  His faith response to our Lady, the Virgin Mary's request, " I vividly desire that a church be built on this site, so that in it I can be present and give my love, compassion, help, and defense, for I am your most devoted mother . . . I hear your laments and desire to come to your aid to remedy all your miseries, pains, and sufferings.”  In his simple faith, he acted. A willing and humbly servant, Juan Diego was a vessel. A church was built on the site where our Lady appeared and thousands converted to Christianity.

How I long for the humility and deep faith that I recognize in Juan Diego.  His response mirrors the Lady's own YES. Young, humble, faith-filled, willing to embrace a call whose source was truly divine.  The response of both has ignited a deeper faith in many through the years.  The enthusiasm of this feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is so appropriate during this Gaudette-Rejoice week of Advent.  I seek to be a more humble, joyous, and willing vessel of welcome to all.   Juan Diego intercede for me this day.

ANOTHER LEAP

I've been involved in a major discernment lately, and it finally came to a head when I accepted a new job--far, far away from familiar people and scenery and activities. I knew someone was knocking on my door when sleepless nights became the norm rather than the exception. This mysterious nightly visitor would not leave me alone until I sent in my resume to the search committee for the position of Coalition Coordinator of UNANIMA International. After that I started to sleep again, at least until I was invited to New York City for an interview!


But this whole process has reminded me how much we rely on the voices of others to tune into God's voice...after members of my own religious community, members of the UNANIMA board, and heads of other United Nations NGOs started asking me, "Are you going to apply for that position, Michele?" I started wondering if maybe Someone were trying to tell me something. Suddenly I realized that my reasons for NOT applying for the job to that point were the noble motives of fear and laziness. Not a great way to live your life...


Looking back on most major decisions in my life, I realize that I finally "took the leap" only after I heard others put the idea into words--whether it was entering religious life, moving from teaching to administration, or into community leadership. How carefully we should listen for the call of God through others!