Month: February 2025

Nearly March

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Community, Seasons, spirituality2 Comments

February 23, 2024

March Winds – Zen Melodies

With it being nearly March, and with the weather being as it has lately, perhaps this phrase has crossed your mind: “In like a lion; out like a lamb”. I’ve had a few teachers, bosses, and colleagues who could have been described by that phrase. Maybe it could even describe some of us at times!

Beside its meteorological purposes, the phrase captures a life lesson. Life and the passage of time will probably tame us if we allow it. Reflection and patience will probably make us gentler and wiser. And there are so many situations where it might be more prudent to begin with a well-planned bleat than with a roar.

Think about it.

Music: LION/LAMB – Joshua Leventhal

Ready your heart child, ready your heart child
The Lionlamb is coming, the Lionlamb is coming yeah
Soften your heart bride, soften your heart bride
The Wedding Day is coming, the Wedding Day is coming
And when we see Him we shall be made like Him
And when we see Him we shall be made like Him
And when we see Him we shall be made like Him oh-oh-oh
Lift up your eyes child, Lift up your eyes child
The Lionlamb is coming, the Lionlamb is coming yeah
He’s gonna make it right child, He’s gonna make it right child
His justice, oh it’s coming, His justice, oh it’s coming
And when we see Him we shall be made like Him
As we see the end of death and dying
And when we see Him we shall be made like Him
As we see the end of death and dying oh-oh-oh
He’s gonna make it right, child
He’s gonna make it right, child
He’s gonna make it right, child
He’s gonna make it right, child
(He’ll make it right)
He’s gonna make it right, child
(The Lionlamb is coming)
He’s gonna make it right, child
(Oh-oh-oh-oh)
The LionLamb is coming

For Your Reflection

  • What feelings or reactions do I have after reading this reflection?
  • Do my feelings or reactions remind me of any passage or event in scripture, especially in the life of Christ? 
  • What actions might I take today because of my response to these readings?

Suggested Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-9

Click for Scripture

Loving a Whole God

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Charity, Community, Creation, Faith, Love, Prayer, spiritualityLeave a comment

February 14, 2025

As we may think about love this Valentine’s Day, I offer one of my poems on a different aspect of love.

Rusalka, Op. 114: “Song to the Moon” · Antonín Dvořák
One bitter day in February
I sat inside a sunlit room,
made warm love to You in prayer,
and she passed outside my window,
the unhoused woman, dressed 
uncarefully against the wind,
steadied on a cane, 
though she was young.

She seemed searching for
a comfort, unavailable and undefined.
The wound of that impossibility
fell over her the way it falls
on every tender thing that cries
but is not gathered to a caring breast.
Suddenly she was a single
anguished seed of You,
fallen into all created things.

Re-entering prayer,
I wear the thought of her
like old earth wears fresh rain.
I’ve misconstrued You,
Holy One, to whom
I open my heart
like a yearning field,
Holy One, already ripe within
her barest, leanest yearning.

Music: Teach Me to Love- Steve Green (Good song, but sorry for the non-inclusive language)

For Your Reflection

  • What feelings or reactions do I have after reading this reflection?
  • Do my feelings or reactions remind me of any passage or event in scripture, especially in the life of Christ? 
  • What actions might I take today because of my response to these readings?

Suggested Scripture: Luke 8:43-48

Click for Scripture

Longing for Spring?

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Creation, Faith, Forgiveness, healing, Seasons, spirituality4 Comments

February 9, 2025

Comfort Zone – Stephen Halpern

Is it damp, drippy February where you are? Are you longing for spring? It just does something for you, doesn’t it? On that first really warm afternoon, all the long, cold hours of winter suddenly coalesce into a small memory and disappear like an ice cube at the equator.

That same moment of new life can occur after any “cold season” — even a cold season of the heart. It can occur after a season of anger, loss, doubt, fear, or distrust . It can occur with something so small as a word, a glance, a smile offered in encouragement, love or forgiveness.

Think of a time in your life, perhaps, when a relationship felt “frozen” in anger or doubt. Think of that moment when one of you said to the other, “ I’m sorry”, “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”, “I love you no matter what.” In a small phrase, winter turned to spring and life was possible again!

Catherine McAuley understood the profound power of a small word, a glance, or a smile. In the 1800’s, she told the first Sisters of Mercy: “There are things the poor prize more highly than gold, tho’ they cost the donor nothing; among these are the kind word, the gentle, compassionate look, and the patient hearing of their sorrows.”

Each one of us finds ourselves poor in something at sometime in our lives. We may be poor in confidence, strength, courage, or determination. We may be at a point in our lives where we feel we cannot sustain one more worry or responsibility. We look to one another for the small “season-changing” word, glance, or smile.

To consistently be the kind of person who offers that season-changing gift takes concentration, inner clarity, and courage. It is not about being a “pollyanna”, sowing smiles without thought or substance. It means, instead, staying in touch with our interior life, keeping ourselves awake and responsive to our blessings, and sincerely connecting with those around us in reverence and hope for their lives. As we long for spring, may each of us see ourselves more clearly as the “life-giver” we can be. May we radiate that power for our own good and the good of all those whose lives we affect.

Music: The Moment Is Yours – Nicholas Gunn

For Your Reflection

  • What feelings or reactions do I have after reading this reflection?
  • Do my feelings or reactions remind me of any passage or event in scripture, especially in the life of Christ? 
  • What actions might I take today because of my response to these readings?

Suggested Scripture: 1 Peter 4:8-11

Click for Scripture