Author: Renee Yann, RSM

Sister Renee Yann, RSM, D.Min, is a writer and speaker on topics of spirituality, mission, and ethical business practice. After twenty years in teaching and social justice ministry, she served for over thirty years in various mission-related roles in Mercy Health System of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Simplicity

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Faith, holiness, Prayer, spirituality1 Comment

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/071818.cfm

Today, in Mercy, Jesus thanks his Father for revealing the mysteries of heaven to the “childlike”. The original Greek word means “babies”, “ones who cannot speak”.

One response to this reading is to strive for a childlike faith – open, simple and trusting. But that is not easy. We are sophisticated persons living in a complex world. Many of us having difficulty reclaiming the single-mindedness of children in our thought processes.

simple Mt11_25_27

And yet, in terms of spiritual matters, perhaps we are not all that mature. St. Paul attested to the spiritual immaturity of the early Christians in passages like these:

Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able… (1 Corinthians 3:1-2)
For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the mysteries of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. (Hebrews 5:12-13)

So, returning to today’s Gospel, what might we conclude? The ways of God are infinitely beyond our comprehension. Still, we question and parse them as if they were problems to be solved rather than mysteries to be absorbed. Our prayer becomes filled with “Why” instead of “Yes”.

When our faith becomes confused or restless, we must return like a colicky child to our all-wise and loving God, trusting that we will be soothed. In God’s embrace, we will be led deeper in faith, not by sophisticated analysis, but by the simplicity of absolute love.

Music: Simple Gifts (Yo Yo Ma and Alison Kraus)

From the Depths of Woe

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Conversion, Faith, Gospel, Jesus, Mercy, repentance2 Comments

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/071718.cfm

Today, in Mercy, we read one of the saddest Gospel passages, the woes to Chorazain, Bethsaida and Capernaum.  These little villages were precious to Jesus, like little children to a loving teacher. Jesus had preached and performed amazing miracles in these towns. Still they had not demonstrated that basic change of heart which proclaims, “I believe”. They had not become places of mercy, justice and mutual love.

Woe Mt11_20_24JPG

Notice that Jesus does not deliver these woes to individuals. He doesn’t say, “Harry, you messed up!” or “Gert, you better get it together”. What Jesus is talking about here is corporate guilt, that kind of hard-hearted sinfulness that affects whole institutions, clubs, societies, cities, nations. 

This kind of sin manifests itself in a dehumanization of people, and a blindness to mercy and love. In Jesus’ day, such sin had infected the Pharisees, Sadducees, Romans, and probably a host of smaller religious, political and social networks.

In our day, we might recognize it in our churches, governments, or social associations. Its dead giveaway is the act of marking any person as “other”: not white like us, not men like us, not American like us, not Gentiles like us, not straight like us, smart, rich, educated and privileged like us — not fully human like us.

Corporate sin confuses justice with law, power with control, importance with success, wealth with possession, strength with domination. It is the kind of sin wherein a weaker group must suffer in order for the stronger group to thrive. We see its effects in war, economic suppression, racism and nationalism, misogyny and homophobia, and in the devastation of the Earth.

To the degree that we espouse and benefit from such corporate sin – or to the degree that we remain silent in its presence – woe to us as well.

Music: De Profundis – Gregorian Chant

From the depths of woe I cry to You,
Lord, hear my voice!
Let Your ears be attentive
to my voice in supplication: 

If You, O Lord, mark iniquities,
Lord, who can stand?
But with You is forgiveness,
that You may be revered. 

I trust in the Lord;
my soul trusts in His word.
My soul waits for the Lord
more than sentinels wait for the dawn. 

More than sentinels wait for the dawn,
let Israel wait for the Lord.
For with the Lord is kindness,
and with Him is plenteous redemption;
And He will redeem Israel
from all their iniquities.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Faith, holiness, Mary, Prayer, spirituality2 Comments

Monday, July 16, 2018

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/071618.cfm

Today, in Mercy, on this Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, we consider our devotion to Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

Devotion is the honor we we offer Mary and the saints, hoping to imitate their holiness in our own lives. Devotion differs from adoration, which is the prayer we offer to God alone.

Some question the role or efficacy of devotion in our spiritual lives, feeling that the spiritual life is a relationship specifically to God. But for those of us who believe in the Communion of Saints, the power “mentorship” from the saints is unquestionable.

Devotions also play a key role in the early development of our faith. My own faith received abundant nourishment from my mother’s devotion to the Miraculous Medal, and my father’s unending novena to St. Joseph. Even now, in my mature years, I still return to these two devotions when faced with a critical concern.

mt Carmel

Like so many of you, my own young mastering of the Rosary gave me a loving awareness of the evolving life of Christ. And a host of beloved prayers deepened my love of God, including the Prayer before the Crucifix and St. Patrick’s Breastplate. You may want to remember your own favorite devotions – some which you may still use in times of difficulty or uncertainty.

Sacred objects can also support our developing faith – a precious medal, a special statue, a scapular, or a relic. Contemporary religious practice is less focused on these supports, but their value as simple devotional tools is abundantly proven.

What is important to remember is that the value of these devotions and sacramentals lies in their ability to lead us to relationship with God, not in any  “magic” they themselves possess.

For those of us with a special devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, (the Sisters of Mercy included), this is a day to ask Mary’s maternal favor on our lives and world. Picture yourself wrapped in her loving mantle, your deepest needs receive by her maternal heart.

Departure from the Music today – a short reflection on Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and the Carmelite Order.

Blessed Be God

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Eternal Life, Faith, Prayer, Thanksgiving1 Comment

Sunday, July 15, 2018

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/071518.cfm

Today, in Mercy, our readings are filled with God’s glory and blessings. The magnificent passage from Ephesians is considered an example of the great Pauline Hymns. These are places in Paul’s writing where he breaks into lyrical songs of praise and thanksgiving, so overwhelmed is he by the goodness of God.

Eph1_17 hymn

Have you ever felt like that – just so grateful to God for the blessings of your life? So blessed to wake up in the morning, with the capacity to believe, to hope, and to love!

A practice I learned many years ago has helped me focus on this kind of prayerful gratitude. As soon as I realize I am awake in the morning (and sometimes that takes a while😀), I say this simple prayer:

Thank you, God, for my life.

On a special morning, I might pause and expand that prayer quite a bit. But every day, I start with at least that brief phrase.

Savor St. Paul’s eloquence in his hymn of praise today. Let your heart recognize God’s goodness and sing even a silent, personal Thank You.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.
Ephesians 1:3

Music: Ephesians Hymn ~ Suzanne Toolan, RSM, who is Sister of Mercy at Mercy Center in Burlingame, CA. She has mentored many people in centering prayer in retreats and in prisons. She is prolific composer of liturgical music, including the iconic hymn, “I Am the Bread of Life”. Suzanne recently celebrated her 90th birthday.

Precious to God

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Courage, Faith, holiness, suffering3 Comments

Saturday, July 14, 2018

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/071418.cfm

Today, in Mercy, our readings tell us something we already know – living a good, holy life is hard, especially when we are caught in suffering.

Isaiah gets so upset about his unworthiness for it that he cries out, “Woe is me! I am doomed!” But then, after a little angelic intervention, he nevertheless opens his heart to God’s call.

In our Gospel, Jesus says we’re going to run into a lot of darkness as we try to speak Light. He says the darkness could even be life-threatening. That thought is pretty woeful, too, don’t you think?

But then Jesus says somethings so stark, yet reassuring:

  • Do not be afraid of those who can kill the body, but not the soul.
  • Not a single sparrow falls without God’s awareness, and you are worth more than many sparrows.
  • God even numbers the hairs on your head, like a Mother brushing the locks of her beloved child.

In other words, you are beyond precious to God. God will accompany and sustain you as you navigate any darkness.

Mt10_31 sparrow

This morning, I think of those young Thai boys and coach, delivered from the isolating, life-threatening darkness of a twisted, flooded cave. Praise God! 

Their situation may remind us of times we have been overwhelmed by sorrow, loneliness, fear, isolation, or any other kind of pain. God is with us in that darkness. We are never lost to God. Our faith assures us that, like a sparrow held gently in God’s hand, we will be delivered to Light.

Music: His Eye Is on the Sparrow – a vintage selection by George Beverly Shea 

(George Beverly Shea (February 1, 1909 – April 16, 2013) was a Canadian-born American gospel singer and hymn composer. Shea was often described as “America’s beloved gospel singer” and was considered “the first international singing ‘star’ of the gospel world,” as a consequence of his solos at Billy Graham Crusades.)

Truth on Friday 13th

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Conversion, Faith, Gospel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Truth2 Comments

Friday, July 13, 2018

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/071318.cfm

Today, in Mercy, we pray with the word “Truth”. The word appears 137 times in the Bible. God clearly has something to tell us about it!

Jn16_13

A truth theme runs through today’s readings like a magnetic thread, drawing us to deeper self-understanding. Friday the 13th is a good day for that, don’t you think – a day fraught with superstitions and falsehoods?

When I was a teenager, my parents decided to wallpaper our living room. Dad, a master craftsman at just about any DIY project, had been physically incapacitated by several heart attacks. So, while he was the architect, I was the contractor for this home project.

Dad was an exact yet patient teacher. I learned how to cut, paste and match seams. I absorbed the craftsperson’s essential mantra: measure twice, cut once. Even the mysteries and miracles of Dad’s old, treasured toolbox were opened to me.

One morning, Dad said we had to “true up” a wall and that we were going to “drop a plumb line”. It was Greek to me. But he explained that no building is perfectly level. If we didn’t begin our papering from a leveled line, we would end up feeling like our living room was a tilted funhouse. 

Don’t you sometimes feel like our world is that funhouse? But it isn’t really very much fun, is it? We live in a time when information and communication are at our fingertips. Yet, we are confused by half-truths and distorted facts. We are assailed with propaganda and cyber-manipulation. We are fed a diet of constant cabled lies AND we consume them to satisfy our biases. Even in our personal lives, we may be undercut by false friends and masquerading enemies. Like Pontius Pilate, we are left with the question, “Truth! What is “Truth”?

Today’s readings drop a plumb line into that skewed world. 

  • Hosea tells us, “Straight are the paths of the Lord; in them the just walk.” 
  • Our Psalm implores God to create in us a true heart. 
  • Our Gospel tells us that, even in the midst of deceit, that true heart will be guided by the Holy Spirit.

On this Friday the 13th, we can start by truing up our own spirits. Let’s pray for the grace today to be true friends – not fair weather; true patriots – not nationalists; true believers – not Pharisees. 

Behold, you are pleased with sincerity of heart,
and in my inmost being you teach me wisdom.
Cleanse me of sin with hyssop, that I may be purified;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
(from today’s Psalm)

Music: Change My Heart, O God! – Maranatha Music

Heaven on Earth

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Eternal Life, Faith, Gospel3 Comments

Thursday, July 12, 2018

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/071218.cfm

Today, in Mercy, we read about Jesus’ first mission to the Twelve. 

In the first six chapters of Matthew’s Gospel, these disciples have witnessed and entrusted their faith in the divinity of Christ. They have been transformed by what they have received. Jesus tells them now to go give that amazing insight to others through their faith and witness.

In this passage, for the first and only time, Matthew calls these disciples “Apostles”, a word which means “sent forth”. They are commissioned now to “go out” and to “preach”.

Mt10_8 generosity

This is to be their preaching: “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” In other words, we are not simply preparing for some celestial afterlife. God is with us NOW, and NOW is the time to open ourselves to the fullness of God’s life. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we already are living heaven on earth.

We believers are given the same commission. If we have been given the immeasurable gift of faith, we must live a life that witnesses and shares this gift. Jesus tells us to do this filled with confidence and hope, and above all with the same generosity God has shown us.

Will we stand on soapboxes blasting the Gospel through bullhorns? Hopefully not! This apostolic witness is not about what we say or shout. It is about how we live – in honesty, peace, inclusivity, forgiveness, kindness, mercy – in all the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. 

A life like this “goes out” beyond its comfortable boundaries to embrace those Jesus has named as first in the Kingdom: the poor, wounded, humble and marginalized. A life like this draws people to God, and shows us all what heaven on earth looks like.

It looks like a kitchen table where friends share a cup of coffee and talk gratefully about the blessings of their lives. It looks like their emerging idea to volunteer at a homeless shelter or a hospital. It looks like their decision to invite a new neighbor for lunch or to visit an elderly one. It looks like the encouragement one gives the other to navigate a sorrow, or to make a hard, life-salvaging decision. It looks like selfless love in everyday clothes.

Something today will call forth the witness of our faith. The practice of “heaven on earth” is waiting for every one of us. Let’s go out and give it as generously as we have received it.

Music: I Will Stand As A Witness of Christ

I Can See

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Faith, Jesus, Prayer, spirituality4 Comments

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/071118.cfm

Ps105_see

Today, in Mercy, on this feast of St. Benedict, we pray with the words of Psalm 105:

Seek always the face of the Lord.

One of the fundamental questions a spiritual director might ask us when we share our life experiences is this: “Where is God in this for you?” It is a steadying question which we can ask ourselves as we try to navigate our life challenges.

We can trust that God is somewhere in every situation, either encouraging us to go forward or to retreat — in either case, calling us toward the Divine and Loving Will. As we deepen in our habits of prayer, grateful quiet, and merciful practice, we begin to see God more clearly in everything.

St. Benedict prayed for this kind of vision. May we share in his prayer.

“Almighty God, give me wisdom to perceive You, intelligence to understand You, diligence to seek You, patience to wait for You, eyes to behold You, a heart to meditate upon You and life to proclaim You, through the power of the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.” 

Music: I Can See – Steve Green
This song shares the experience of the Emmaus disciples as their eyes were opened and the saw Jesus walking with them along their life’s road.

 

Demons

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Conversion, Faith, Prayer, spirituality4 Comments

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Readings:  http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/071018.cfm

Today, in Mercy, Jesus cures a demoniac who is mute. 

In Jesus’ time, the connection between ordinary disease and demonical possession was quickly drawn – perhaps too quickly. As we read some of the Gospel cures, our modern understanding recognizes epilepsy, glaucoma, cataracts and mental illness in the people Jesus touched and healed. But two thousand years ago, these conditions were assigned to demons.

Demons

This doesn’t mean demons don’t exist. Remember the Gerasene miracle where Jesus cast demons into pigs who then threw themselves into the sea? Dramatic evidence that demons are real!

Demons are real in our world too, embodiments of the evil that is always competing for control of Creation, that is always resisting the supremacy of Goodness and Love.

These demons masquerade in various costumes of power, prestige and pleasure. But they are all eventually exposed as addictive, self-consuming and destructive.

How dangerous and deceptive these demons are! The word itself comes from the same Greek root as the word “genius”. And they do have a genius for rendering us:

  • blind to narcissistic motivations
  • crazed with exaggerated self-importance
  • crippled by deceptive rhetoric
  • mute in the face of systemic evil
  • deaf to the cries of the suffering
  • dead to the power of transforming Mercy in our own souls

Even as you read this list, faces and moments of history and current events are flashing before your eyes.  Circumstances in your own life, family and work suggest themselves. Bring these to your transforming prayer today. The touch of Jesus can deliver us from such demons. We pray for that touch in our own hearts and in our world.

Music: Our Father – Leontyne Price

 

God’s Passionate Love

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Eternal Life, Faith, Love, Mercy, spirituality2 Comments

Monday, July 9, 2018

Readings: Click here for readings

Today, in Mercy, our readings bring us Hosea, the poet-prophet who lived eight centuries before Jesus.  Although his warnings to Israel are stern, Hosea was, at heart, a lover – just as he imagined God to be.

Hosea tells us his personal story of marrying an adulterous wife, forgiving her, and welcoming her back to his love. He uses his own experience to challenge Israel, the “adulterous”, idolatrous beloved of God.

Hosea’s passionate poetry gives us the language and imagery of intense intimacy with God, a God who “allures”, “espouses”, and calls himself “husband”. It is the language of an unbreakable devotion and covenant.

Hosea2_19

This imagery can enrich our prayer and help us to deepen our realization of how much God loves us. God loves us as a parent would, as a friend would, as a lover would, as a spouse would. Still, God loves us beyond all these, beyond our human comprehension.

Any human love will always remain between two distinct beings. But Divine Love created us and lives within us. We are the very Breath of God Who, in loving us, loves the Divine Self into being.

In our prayer today, what a joy to surrender ourselves to this Amazing Love!