Category: Uncategorized

Heads or Tails?

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Faith, Gospel, Jesus, Uncategorized4 Comments

Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/070318.cfm

Jn20_27doubt

Has doubt ever dogged you, or at least nipped at the edges of your soul?  All kinds of doubt, I’m talking about! Doubt yourself. Doubt your loved ones. Doubt the Church, the government, the media. You get the idea.

Some doubt is good. It’s more like “discernment”, and it saves us from misplaced trust. A skill that’s honed through a lifetime, it can eventually be exercised prudentially, without skepticism or aloofness.

But another type of doubt can be crippling. Call it the “not enough” type: I am not good enough, smart enough, good-looking enough, experienced enough, – so on and on – to take on a challenge or make a contribution. Ever felt that kind of doubt?

There is third type of doubt which I call “the flip side of faith”. It’s that fine line where we balance between wanting to believe and wanting to know. This type of doubt whispers things like this in our minds: “You don’t really know if there is a God, so how can you believe?” But isn’t that the whole point of faith? If we really knew, for certain, of God’s existence, we wouldn’t have to believe!

What’s the difference between these flip sides of the coin? 

With faith, we give our love and service unreservedly, even though we have not seen. With doubt, we skimp or reserve these until given proof.

So today, we meet “doubting Thomas”. He needed the touch of nail marks and lance wounds before he could believe. And it’s not hard to understand why.

The Resurrection of Jesus was mind-blowing. It changed history for all time to come. It conquered the one unconquerable – DEATH itself. Thomas had not yet seen proof of the Resurrection. The other disciples had. No wonder his coin was spinning between heads and tails!

What about us? Have we seen the Easter Power in our lives? Have we let God win the toss up between our faith and doubt? Today, on this feast of St. Thomas, we might ask his help to let us learn from the wounds of Christ exactly how that Power can assure us.

Music: Blessed Assurance ~ a well-known Christian hymn. The lyrics were written in 1873 by blind hymn writer Fanny Crosby to the music written in 1873 by Phoebe Knapp.

On This Father’s Day

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Charity, Community, Courage, Gospel, Hope, Uncategorized1 Comment

Sunday, June 17, 2018

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/061718.cfm

2 Cor 5_7 faith

Today, in Mercy, our Sunday readings are filled with the hope of new life, spoken out of the abyss of suffering.

Both Ezekiel’s and Paul’s communities were suffering under exile or persecution. In both cases, a powerful state has dehumanized and enslaved them – rendering them as “other”, unworthy of fraternal compassion.

These suffering communities hunger for the encouragement of their prophets, Ezekiel and Paul.

They long for Ezekiel’s majestic cedar, born from a single, hopeful branch – a life-giving tree where all can dwell in fullness and joy. It is a precursor of heaven, where they will be free and restored to honor.

They draw hope from Paul’s example of courage, believing with him that there is a new day coming where they will be known as precious and worthy in God’s sight.

What might these readings suggest to us, as we celebrate Father’s Day today?

As we contemplate the gift of fatherhood from the perspective of our own experience, let us be mindful of fathers and families experiencing exile and persecution similar to Ezekiel’s and Paul’s communities.

migrant fathers

The Bible tells us stories of our ancestors in faith, but it is also a living Word – speaking to our current experiences. Just this week, we have heard some in power positions use the Bible to justify the infliction of pain and hardship on other human beings. God must weep at such sinful arrogance!

Let us, instead, be inspired by these Scriptures to open our hearts in mercy. Let us pray for suffering migrant communities throughout the world, forced from their homes by war, crime, and greed. Let us pray for children torn from their families by blind, inhumane policies. 

Today, let us pray especially for these refugee fathers as their hopes are crushed and their families broken. And, where we can, let us do more than pray. Let us act for justice and mercy. Let us, at the very least, not rally behind a power that subverts the preciousness of human life and family.

Music: One Day When We All Get To Heaven written by Eliza Hewitt (1851-1920).

Prayer for Our Beloveds

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Community, holiness, inclusivity, Prayer, Uncategorized5 Comments

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/060618.cfm

Today, in Mercy, we have the first of a few readings from Timothy, Paul’s beloved protégé in the faith.  Timothy had the blessing of not only Paul’s mentorship, but also of his own mother and grandmother who were devout Christian converts.

Lois and Timothy

Rembrandt’s Timothy and Lois

Today, we might give thanks for all those who have nurtured us in faith and love. We might also consider those who depend on us for the example and encouragement which leads them closer to God and to their best selves.

We might also pray for those desperate families and children seeking refuge at the US border. They also belong to us in Christ. May our prayer and advocacy help them to avoid harm.

It is our duty, in gratitude and mercy, to keep all these beloveds in our constant prayer, as Paul did Timothy in today’s tender reading.

Music: The Prayer

I pray you’ll be our eyes
And watch us where we go
And help us to be wise
In times when we don’t know

Let this be our prayer
When we lose our way
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
To a place where we’ll be safe.

I pray we’ll find your light
And hold it in our hearts
When stars go out each night
Remind us where you are.

Let this be our prayer
When shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
To a place where we’ll be safe.

A world where pain and
sorrow will be ended
And every heart that’s
broken will be mended
And we’ll remember we
are all God’s children
Reaching out to touch you
Reaching to the sky.

We ask that life be kind
And watch us from above
We hope each soul will find
Another soul to love.

Let this be our prayer
Just like every child.
Needs to find a place
Guide us with your grace.
Give us faith so we’ll be safe

Devotion

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Faith, holiness, Jesus, Prayer, Uncategorized2 Comments

Monday, June 4, 2018

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/060418.cfm

Adoro Te

Today, in Mercy, we resume our readings, now in the second letter of Peter. Peter describes the infinite blessings that are ours through Jesus Christ. These blessings allow and invite us to a life of grace and devotion. This kind of life burns pure, and clear and powerful by the power of God.

In the reading, Peter uses the word “devotion” twice. In the original Greek, the word meant “Godliness”. When we are deeply devoted to someone or something, we take on characteristics of their nature. By our devotion to Jesus, we will become like Him – conveying His grace and peace in our lives. But we can only become like Him by being with Him in our prayer, scripture reading and works of mercy. That is devotion.

The music is a second hymn written by Thomas Aquinas, Adoro Te Devote. The translation below was written by the holy Jesuit poet, Gerard Manley Hopkins.

Godhead here in hiding, whom I do adore,
Masked by these bare shadows, shape and nothing more,
See, Lord, at thy service low lies here a heart
Lost, all lost in wonder at the God thou art.
Seeing, touching, tasting are in thee deceived:
How says trusty hearing? that shall be believed;
What God’s Son has told me, take for truth I do;
Truth himself speaks truly or there’s nothing true.
On the cross thy godhead made no sign to men,
Here thy very manhood steals from human ken:
Both are my confession, both are my belief,
And I pray the prayer of the dying thief.
I am not like Thomas, wounds I cannot see,
But can plainly call thee Lord and God as he;
Let me to a deeper faith daily nearer move,
Daily make me harder hope and dearer love.
O thou our reminder of Christ crucified,
Living Bread, the life of us for whom he died,
Lend this life to me then: feed and feast my mind,
There be thou the sweetness man was meant to find.
Bring the tender tale true of the Pelican;
Bathe me, Jesu Lord, in what thy bosom ran—
Blood whereof a single drop has power to win
All the world forgiveness of its world of sin.
Jesu, whom I look at shrouded here below,
I beseech thee send me what I thirst for so,
Some day to gaze on thee face to face in light
And be blest for ever with thy glory’s sight. Amen.

Magnificat

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Mary, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Thursday, May 31, 2018

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/053118.cfm

Visitation

Today, in Mercy, we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that sacred act of hospitality to Elizabeth and to all of us who long for the coming of Christ in our lives. In this Gospel, Mary offers the most lyrical masterpiece of theology ever delivered – the Magnificat. For our prayer today, we might simply savor these words, replete with meaning and challenge. 

The Magnificat, a song of hope and encouragement for those who are poor and disenfranchised, is considered a sacramental prayer among Nicaraguans. Let’s pray for them today as their country once again experiences tremendous political turmoil.

Music: Latin Magnificat sung by the Daughters of Mary

 

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

the Almighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him

in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,

he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,

and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel

for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

the promise he made to our fathers,

to Abraham and his children for ever.

 

Courage to Dance?

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Courage, Faith, Hope, Jesus, Uncategorized2 Comments

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/050918.cfm

Today, in Mercy, we follow Paul to Athens where he preaches a beautiful and reasonable sermon to the thoughtful Greeks. These were people proud of their intellects and dedicated to philosophy. They desired a reasonable god, a god that they could control and explain.

But the Christian God is not reasonable. God is infinite mystery plumbed only by abandoning ourselves to faith, trust, hope and love. Our God will not be controlled by theses, explanations or definitions. Our God will not be “ordered”, but rather invites us to the abundant chaos of Divine Life. Only a few Athenians had the courage to meet this God.

In our highly intellectualized, scientifically ordered society, there are fewer brave believers today. It takes a large mind and soul to embrace the dance of both reason and faith. Are you one of the dancers?

Acts 17_28 Dance

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cwiE54S1h5s

To Love Like God

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Charity, Jesus, Love, spirituality, Uncategorized3 Comments

Sunday, May 6, 2018

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/050618.cfm

Today, in Mercy, in our readings from John’s letter and from his Gospel, we again see the reiteration of Jesus’ most important message: Love one another.  It sounds so easy and sweet, but it is so difficult to love as Jesus loves – without judgment or the expectation of recompense; without reserve and without preference. It is so hard to continue to love when love is met with indifference, arrogance or even hate. Still Jesus asks us to love as He does – to will the eternal good of every person and to foster it by our actions. May we have the grace to keep on trying.

as I have loved you

Not A Piece of Cake

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Community, Faith, Mercy, Uncategorized1 Comment

Saturday, May 5, 2018

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/050518.cfm

Today, in Mercy, we listen first to the great Apostle Paul’s experience of trying to do the work of God as He sails through the Mediterranean world. He is frustrated in trying to take the Word into Asia. Even the Holy Spirit holds him back. In the Gospel, Jesus tells it straight: You will be persecuted just like I was. This living the Gospel thing is not a piece of cake! That is why it is so important that we help, rather than block one another. Most people are trying to do the best they can. If they make a mistake, let’s give them a helping hand rather than a condemning tongue. It’s easy to bury somebody, but it takes a real Christian to give them new life. (PS: Got a pick for the Kentucky Derby? I’m going for “My Boy Jack”.)

John15_16

As I Have Loved You

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Community, Jesus, Love, Mercy, Uncategorized1 Comment

Friday, May 4, 2018

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/050418.cfm

Today, in Mercy, Jesus speaks his most loving words to his disciples. We can see them gathered around Jesus in the candlelit room. They are both dreading and longing for these precious words, both a confirmation of love and declaration of departure. But the words give them courage and they feel resolve rising in their hearts to be all that Jesus hopes them to be.

These same words follow us down through the ages, comforting and strengthening us to be all that Jesus dreams for us.

(Photo of Motherhouse of the Sisters of Mercy in Merion, PA, USA.  Note highlighted motto at top of photo. It has comforted and impelled many a Mercy heart. The magnificent song from Bob Dufford, SJ captures all of Jesus’ Last Discourse in John’s Gospel. PS: For those of you who know Sister Kate, she is one of the Sisters kneeling in adoration.)

Merion chapel shaded