In the midst of winter darkness, together despite the miles between us, we await, we call out, we cry for the light. We are expectant, we are hopeful. We long for love, we long for birth. Our longing is for ourselves and for our world.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Introduction
November 30, The First Sunday of Advent
November 30, The First Sunday of Advent
Is 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7/1; Cor 1:3-9;Mk 13:33-37
Keep awake – for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep. Keep awake! Mk. 35-36
In the first reading, Isaiah shouts at me and I want to shout back, “Tear open the heavens and come down! Come down like the mountains in an earthquake, flaming like fire in brushwood to make your name known! Come, from somewhere powerful in you distant heavens, and cast your fire on those who start these wars and cause all this hunger and sickness.”
But, in the hollow silence that follows my tirade, I know you are not in the heavens but right here. You are here in your Wisdom in me, in this human community, and in our kinship with all creation. “Come” becomes my own call to wake up to what is right here, right now. It’s my call to open my eyes and reach out to the hands and paws and wings of my kin and hold on tight. Choosing justice and choosing peace these days is sure to give a bumpy ride.
Mantra: Wake me up! Open my eyes!
Kay McMullen, SNDdeN
Monday, December 1, 2008
Monday, December 1
Is 2:1-5/Mt 8:5-11
Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain...that he may instruct us in his ways. Is. 2
“All nations shall stream toward this mountain,” Isaiah says. Humanity, each one of us, is on the way, spiraling up “the highest mountain, raised above the hills.” Though history may seem to be heading in the opposite direction, the shadowed valleys of our time could be showing us that we need a balancing view, the aerial outlook.
Imagination can help us realize that the ancient and universal sacred mountain can be as alive within us as the earthen
Let’s stop for a moment.
Mantra: Imagine possibilities.
Clare Morris
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Tuesday, December 2
Is 11:1-10/Lk 10:21-24
“Blessed are the eyes …”
“Blessed are the eyes” of the four women martyrs of
What was cut short in the lives of Maura, Ita, Dorothy and Jean, continues in the hearts of those who love them still. The power of Love, and the Spirit of the Lord hovers over all who work until Justice shall flourish...and the fullness of peace… reign forever.” That is our hope; that is our call.
Mantra: Justice shall flourish; peace reign forever.
Roseanne Murphy, SNDdeN
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Wednesday, December 3
Is 25:6-9; Mt 15:29-37
This is our God for whom we have waited. Is. 25
This, here, now, within; the One for whom we wait has already arrived. Stop searching, “flailing like time for the grasp of connection.” Advent is not the season to repeat the longing. Wake up and know that you can see, hear, walk and speak.
Advent
In the way that wait
longs for coming
these empty hours
reach out from darkness
probing like time
not knowing
flailing, for
the grasp of connection
Mantra: Here and now
Patricia Ryan, RSM
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Is. 26:1-6/Mt.7:21; 24-27
Trust in the Lord forever!
For the Lord is an eternal rock. Is 26
Build your house here
now
on bedrock.
Lay down a center stone
before you begin,
the stone of this moment,
the stone burning
with the One who loves you,
the stone indestructible,
eternal, your only hope.
Mantra: That stone burning with one who loves.
Clare Morris
Friday, December 5, 2008
Friday, December 5
Is. 29:17-24 Mt. 9:27-31
Do you believe that I can do this? Mt. 9
Blindness afflicted this community of two and they cried out for the pity of Jesus. Yet, when they approached him, it was relationship to which he was inviting them. Do you believe that I can do this? Jesus touched their eyes but the removal of blindness occurred in the transformation of their inner hearts as well. “Let it be done according to your faith.” “ And their eyes were opened.”
Cultural blindness, economic blindness, religious blindness, political blindness, intellectual blindness plague us as we struggle to show God's goodness, dispelling the gloom and darkness that envelop our societies. Let us deepen our hope in the relationship Jesus offers to us and the transformative joy, justice and peace that he promises to all creation;.
Mantra Do you believe that I can do this?
Saturday, December 6, 2008 (Feast of St. Nicholas)
Saturday, December 6 (Feast of St. Nicholas)
Is 30:19-21.23-26/Mt 9:35-10:1. 5a,6-8
“The Lord will be gracious to you when he hears your cry. When he hears he will answer.” –Is 19
Nicholas, a third century Bishop of
Sadly prostitution and other forms of slavery continue today. We see a global effort to curb by law the widespread trafficking of women, men and children--especially young girls. Let us pray to St. Nicholas for the safety of the young, especially those enslaved by the lust and greed of others.
St. Nicholas, protector of the young and oppressed, help us to restore to these victims of violence the precious gifts of freedom and hope through prayer, advocacy and other action.
Mantra: For victims, freedom and hope.
Margaret Hoffman SNDdeN
December 7, Second Sunday of Advent
December 7, Second Sunday of Advent
Is 40:1-5, 9-11/2 Pt 3:8-14/Mk 1:1-8
Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.
Is 40.
In Advent Time
I walked
in Advent time,
walked the old fire road
up the canyon
where winter sycamores
made white lace
with their bare branches
and oaks and red toyons
glistened with fog.
At the lake
a gray shadow
lifted its wings,
powerful heron wings over reed-still water,
wings that whispered,
“Peace on earth.
It will be –
peace on earth.”
Mantra: It will be – peace on earth.
Kay McMullen, SNDdeN
Monday, December 8: The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Monday, December 8: The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Gn 3:9-15, 20/Eph 1:3-6, 11-12/Lk 1:26-38
“God chose us in Christ before the world was founded, to be without blemish, to be full of love.” Eph. 1
Some days I believe in
But Mary is one of us. She is the source of Jesus’ humanity. Mary is what we were before the Fall. Her capacity is ours, too. She considers an unlikely invitation and say, Yes! Risking the long shot, longer odds, she agrees to cooperate in an outlandish scheme to redeem Creation.
Our human nature calls us to do the same. The risky, Yes! The unlikely plan, the random act of kindness. On a day of horrors, I need to get busy, however feeble my actions seem. Drop by drop, they may tip the balance. We are all chosen to be full of love and menders of the world.
Mantra: I am chosen to be full of love.
Ann Denham
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Tuesday, December 9
Is 40:1-11/Mt 18:12-14
Like a shepherd, he feeds his flock. In his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom and leading the ewes with care. Is. 40
The compassion and the tenderness of our God have not been celebrated enough in this day and in this age. The shepherd image of a loving, kind and gentle direction given through the voice of the shepherd and the nudging pushes of a shepherd dog blesses us with a most tender image of loving care. Why do we not accept these images in our daily lives? What are we neglecting? What are we afraid of?
These images speak of service and being servants equally to each other. Maybe it is because the prevailing norms treat these images as ones of weakness. Yet, to go out serving and, in return, be served, takes courage, stamina and strength. We are the people of the Suffering Servant, Jesus Christ.
St. Juan Diego, serving a sick father, is the chosen servant to announce the vision of Our Lady of Guadalupe as Mary pregnant with Jesus as the handmaid servant of the Lord.
Mantra: Serve with compassion.
Kathleen M. O'Connor
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Wednesday, December 10
Is 40:25-31/Mt 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you.” Mt. 11
What if we do weary on the way? What if we begin to doubt that we can do what’s needed of us, in order that the new birth, forming itself in our depths inside the life we’re leading, will come forth?
These passages call attention to a relation between burden and strength, and between experience and wisdom. They call us to awareness of a source of strength that is beyond questioning. How to connect with it? Resting in the knowledge of its eternal presence, the weary one of faith willingly accepts this strength again and again, summoning it freshly in each unfolding moment, moving the process toward renewal in its fruition.
Mantra: Yoke of strength, carry to new life.
Gene Sandretto
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Thursday, December 11
Is 41:13-20/Mt 11:11-15
“It is I who say to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.”
Is. 41
Do not fear! I will help you. Even when you wake up feeling like a worm or an insect! Even when you are poor and needy I will answer you. I will open rivers on your bare heights! I will make your wilderness a pool of water! I will plant cedars, acacias, myrtles and olives in your wilderness! I will do this especially when you feel like a worm or an insect so that your own poverty can leave room for my gifts. I only ask you to do something to round out this circle of caring: turn and help your neighbor who is poor and needy. Then you shall rejoice and glory in me.
Mantra: Do not fear! I will help you!
Kay McMullen, SNDdeN
Monday, November 24, 2008
Friday, December 12: Our Lady of Guadalupe
Friday, December 12: Our Lady of Guadalupe
Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a/Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47
“A woman clothed with the sun.” Rev 12
Adonde vas, mi amor?
Where are you going my loved one?
Madrecita, voy donde me mandas.
Dearest mother, I go wherever you send me.
Santa Maria, Madre de Dios,
Holy Mary, Mother of God.
Let me bring hope and consolation to others. Morenita, little dark one, let me be your Juan Diego.
Santa Maria, Madre de Dios,
Holy Mary, Mother of God, Mother of the Creator, Dark Mother, brilliantly clothed with sun,
moon and stars.
Embrace me with your mantel
where roses ever bloom.
Santa Maria, ruega por nosotros pecadores,
Holy Mary, pray for us sinners.
Dearest virgin, we pray, crush the serpent’s head
of trafficking, racism, gangs, drugs,
hunger and unjust wars.
Mantra: Morenita, little dark one, let me be your Juan Diego.
Jacinta Martinez SNDdeN
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Saturday, December 13
Sir 48:1-4, 9-11/Mt 17:9a, 10-13
“Blessed is he who shall have seen you
before he dies.” Sir.48
The fiery prophet Elijah made his presence known. When he brought down the wrath of God “his word burned like a torch.” Yet later in Sirach we are assured that at the appointed time Elijah will return and bring happiness and love. Enter John the Baptist, the messenger revealed by Jesus at the Transfiguration. The old and the new: one testament. Sometimes we need to hear the whole story.
Mantra: His word burned like a torch.
Gerald Hardy
December 14, Third Sunday of Advent
December 14, Third Sunday of Advent
Is 61:1-2a, 10-11/1 Thes 5:16-24/Jn 1:6-8, 19-28
Rejoice always! Rejoice! 1 Thes. 5
Reading Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, I hear his exuberant call to live by new commandments. Rejoice! Pray without ceasing! Give thanks! Don’t quench the Spirit or despise the prophets! Test everything and hold fast that which is good. Abstain from evil.
These are transformative attitudes: to rejoice and give thanks instead of criticizing or complaining; to make room for the unpredictable Spirit in my life; to be willing to change when someone or something calls me beyond my culturally biased thinking and acting; to test and discern my choices; to be aware and seek forgiveness and reconciliation for the evil that I do. Can I make by Paul’s exuberant call a part of my preparation for Christmas? All that is needed is my willingness: “The One who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.”
Mantra: The One who calls me will do this.
Kay McMullen, SNDdeN
Monday, December 15, 2008
Monday, December 15
Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a/Mt 21:23-27
Who can be saved? Not the one with riches, but maybe the one who is paying attention.
Dark Mornings, Advent Time
These dark mornings, Advent time,
you sit by your window and wait for the light.
At first you see only your lamp, some books,
yourself reflected in the window as in a mirror,
a mirror against the dense black outside.
December mornings the light grows slowly.
You must pay attention if you are to notice
the gradual change from gray to dull olive,
and that brief moment when each leaf is lit by gold,
on fire with gold, then green.
Right now, you may be waiting to see if the sky
will turn from dark to gray to peach and finally blue,
or if it will give way to gray rain-filled clouds.
Dawn reveals each day and its own possibilities
for peace, for beauty and for love.
“Pay attention! Pay attention!” Someone whispers
in the morning’s sleepy silence. “Pay attention!
Don’t miss this dawn! Don’t miss this day!
Pay attention and see what Child of peace,
of beauty and of love is waiting to be born.”
Mantra: Paying attention, waiting to be born.
Kay McMullen, SNDdeN
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Tuesday, December 16
Zep 3:1-2, 9-13/Mt 21:28-32
“This son said in reply, ‘No, I will not’; but afterward he regretted it and went.” Mt. 21
So often I am that second son. Maybe I don’t come right out and say, “no” to God, but I do complain, sometimes rant and rave, and often try to avoid. I ask every imaginable question, look for alternatives, any way out. Then I argue that this cannot be what God is asking of me. Oh, no! It couldn’t be; there has to be some mistake. Right!
But after all that, like the second son, I go out into the vineyard to do the work. Amazingly, after all is said and done, I can’t figure out what the hubbub was about! God must be smiling.
Mantra: The vineyard awaits my yes.
Dianne Baumunk OSU
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Gn 49:2, 8-10/Mt 1:1-17
Psalm Antiphon: O Shepherd that rulest
O shepherd of
O shepherd of
you who know where the water is and spring-green grass.
O shepherd of
You know the clear water and spring-green grass,
the wolf and the snake.
O shepherd of
You know the clear water and spring-green grass.
The wolf and the snake, too, are yours so
come, and make us one in courage and love.
Mantra: Come, guide and comfort us.
Kay McMullen, SNDdeN
[1] “Oh Shepherd” is the first of the great “O” antiphons sung at Vespers on the eight days before Christmas. Each begins with the exclamation “O,” and ends with an increasingly urgent plea for the Messiah to come. Their imagery drawn from Hebrew promises of a Messiah, they were composed by monks in the eighth or ninth centuries. Each is presented here as a “nested reflection” on the antiphon. Please see the end of this booklet for a guide to writing nested reflections.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Thursday, December 18
Jer 23:5-8/Mt 1:18-25
Psalm Antiphon: O Wisdom that comest out of the mouth of the Most High, that reachest from one end to another, and orderest all things mightily and sweetly, come to teach us the way of prudence.
O Wisdom, breathe in us, come!
O Wisdom, breathe in us. Come
teach us your prudence – your Way, your Tao.
O Wisdom, breathe in us. Come
teach us your prudence. Your Way, your Tao
are only different words for your Wisdom.
O Wisdom, breathe in us. Come
teach us your prudence. Your Way, your Tao
are only different words. Wisdom for a new people, come, breathe in us until we are One.
Mantra: Come, breathe in me.
Kay McMullen, SNDdeN
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
