Month: April 2018

From Darkness to Light – Always

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Uncategorized4 Comments

Wednesday, April 11, 2016: Today, in Mercy, we listen to John’s astonishment that people choose darkness over Light. And yet, we see it all the time, don’t we? Even, unfortunately, in ourselves at times? Let’s pray today for the strength to always choose God’s stunning, yet soothing, Light. Let’s pray that for our terribly shadowed world.  Some extra thoughts at the end of this post.  thank you to all who joined me today. Please spread the word to your friends.

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A poem from Mary Oliver today to help us consider the possibility that an undiscovered Light might be hidden in every darkness:

The Uses of Sorrow | Mary Oliver

(In my sleep I dreamed this poem)

Someone I loved once gave me
 a box full of darkness.

It took me years to understand
 that this, too, was a gift.

A beautiful melody from James Last to listen to as we think about the amazing Presence of God’s Light in our hearts:

One Heart and Mind

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Charity, Faith4 Comments

Tuesday, April 10, 2018: Today, in Mercy, our readings visit some of the earliest Christians: Nicodemus, Matthias and Barnabas. Each one is engaging his own call to this new, post-Resurrection community. Act 1:1 describes the deep love and fervor of this group who held all in common and loved one another. We live in many communities: family, faith, friends, neighborhood, school, work, country, world, Creation. What is my level of commitment to love, justice and Mercy among those with whom I share life?

( I am trying to post each reflection on the evening before, so that it can be used to prepare tomorrow’s morning prayer, if desired.)

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Divine Lightning

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Uncategorized1 Comment

Monday, April 9, 2018: Today, in Mercy, we celebrate the feast of the Annunciation and Incarnation (because Palm Sunday fell on the normal date 3/25.) At the angel’s Word, Mary opened her being fully to the transforming power of God. Within her “Yes”, divinity and humanity became one. In each generation, God’s transformation of Creation continues in us. A holy “yes”, given to God’s revolutionary invitation, still has the power of Divine Lightning! Nothing is wilder than grace! Nothing more free than God’s imagination for us!

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Faithful Thomas

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Second Sunday of Easter, April 8, 2018: Today, in Mercy, we read the story of Thomas who, despite a brilliant missionary life for Jesus, never shakes the sobriquet, “Doubting”. Are we all like Thomas, at least sometimes? Don’t we all really wonder sometimes if Jesus, if God, is for real? Doubt is simply the flip side of faith. Like faith, it is a place where we do not know for sure. But faith is that choice to believe in, and act from, Christ’s promise of that surety. May we, like Thomas, reclaim the fullness of our faith by the heart-felt prayer, “My Lord and my God!”

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The Final Command

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Easter Saturday, April 7, 2018: Today, in Mercy, our Gospel summarizes the post-Resurrection appearances of Jesus to his disciples. With the final one, Jesus seems to say that their faith has been sufficiently assured; it is time for them to spread that faith to the whole world – to every creature! We are given the same command. Does our life proclaim our faith? Does it embrace all Creation in its loving service?

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The Holy Name

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4_6_18Easter Friday, April 6, 2018: Today, in Mercy, we see the post-Resurrection disciples exercising power in the name of Jesus. The crowds are stunned at their preaching and their miracles. That same power is offered to us in our Baptism. When we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, we see all life as a miracle. We “preach” by our love, service, honesty, kindness, justice and mercy that we have been redeemed in that Holy Name.

 

This is the Day

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Easter Thursday, April 5, 2018: Today, in Mercy, we rejoice with the psalmist in the gift of another day. What a blessing it is to be alive! This psalm could serve as a perfect morning and/or evening prayer. What are the first and last words that cross my heart each day? Thank you, God, for my life. May I live it to your glory.

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Mercy Surrounds Us

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We exist in the infinite embrace of God’s mercy.  In mercy, we all were created.  In mercy, we all live.  In mercy, we all have the hope of eternal life.

The lavish mercy of God pours over us in every sunrise and sunset, in every noon and midnight.  With every breath, we draw on mercy.  With every thought, we capture its spirit and turn it to our hope.  The gift of such divine power in us calls us to lavish mercy with our own lives, to be agents of mercy in all things.

This journal is offered as an act of thanksgiving and celebration for that lavish mercy.  It is a gathering of reflections and prayers which sift through our ordinary experience to seek the breath-giving grace of God awaiting us there.

My name is Renee Yann. I am a Sister of Mercy.  I love to chase God through the bright blessing of words. I love to discover words in the dark blessing of silence. It is a joy to share with you the humble fruit of those mutual blessings.

Our entire theological tradition is expressed in terms of Mercy,
which I define as the willingness to enter into the chaos of others.
James F. Keenan, S.J.

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