Category: Uncategorized

Be Clothed in Humility

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Church, dying, Eternal Life, Faith, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Readings: 1 Peter 5:5-14; Psalm 89; Mark 16:15-20

Today, in Mercy, on this feast of St. Mark, we listen to Peter instruct the young Church in the way of Christlike leadership. Deep humility, born from a reverence for the mystery of the cross, empowers us to be true witnesses of the faith and to draw others into Christ’s love. As a student of Peter, Mark learned a first-hand account of Christ’s life, steeped in the mystery of life, death and Resurrection. Mark later shared that account with us in the gift of his Gospel.

It Was Winter

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Faith, Hope, Seasons, Uncategorized3 Comments

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Readings: Acts  11:19-26, Psalm 87;  John 10:22-30

Today, in Mercy, we accompany Jesus as He walks in the Temple area known as Solomon’s portico. In a very human touch, John tells us, “It was winter.” Thus, we can draw the conclusion that Jesus went inside to be warm. To think of Jesus experiencing the seasons – just as we do – makes him all the more real for us. Like us, Jesus experienced “inner seasons” too – that undulating range from sorrow to joy. When it is “winter” in our souls, and we seek the warmth of prayer, Jesus walks beside us.

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A Day To Bask in Grace

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Eternal Life, Faith, Love, Uncategorized1 Comment

Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 22, 2018

Readings: Acts 4:8-12, Psalm 118, 1 John 3:1-2, John 10:11-18

Today, in Mercy, as we celebrate Earth Day, we are blessed with the most beautiful readings! Acts reminds us that it is in the Name of Jesus Christ that post-Resurrection grace fills the world. 1 John tells us that we are God’s children even now, and that we can’t imagine the fullness of life that grants us. In John’s Gospel, Jesus gathers us in his arms as a shepherd tenderly gathers his sheep. It is a day to gratefully bask in the infinite love God has bestowed upon us. Go out quietly with the Earth today, if you can and be blessed, dear friends.

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It Was the Women…

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Uncategorized3 Comments

Saturday, April 21, 2018

Readings: Acts 9:31-42, Psalm 116, John 5:60-69

Today, in Mercy, we meet the disciple Tabitha who was “completely occupied with good deeds and almsgiving”.  Tabitha, also known as Dorcas, – a prosperous and influential woman – had died. Her community, greatly distressed at her passing, called on Peter to come to them immediately. He did, which proves the esteem in which Tabitha was held. She, like many other women in the early Church, played an integral part in the growth of Christianity. Through the centuries, women in the Church have struggled with a culture of second class citizenship. Recalling the discipleship roles of women like Tabitha can inspire continued conversion from such misperceptions. (Today, no music.  The second powerful image is from Sister Helen David Brancato, IHM.)

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Can Love Survive Without Truth?

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Love, Truth, Uncategorized3 Comments

Monday, April 16, 2018: Today, in Mercy, we meet Stephen, proto-martyr of the Christian faith. Like Jesus, Stephen is persecuted for his goodness. Like Jesus, Stephen had false witnesses presented against him. How can Love survive in the absence of Truth? And yet, as today’s Gospel assures is, it does. We live in a time that has forgotten the essence and value of truthfulness. We live in a world where some people’s lives are a lie – a pretense of who they truly are as children of God. But our faith calls us to truth, mercy, justice and commitment to Christ’s teachings. May we be inspired by the witness of Stephen and his companions to tell the truth, be the truth, call for truth in others.

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Breath and Heartbeat of God!

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Faith, Love, Mercy, Uncategorized3 Comments

Saturday, April 14, 2018: Today, in Mercy, Jesus walks across the stormy water to meet his frightened disciples. They are afraid of the wind, the night and the wonder of Jesus. As human beings, we harbor many fears even if we pretend to be very brave. We may be afraid of failure, loneliness, responsibility, insignificance, aging, dying or a thousand other things. Essentially, what we most fear is that we might be unloved or unlovable. Jesus comes to us through the night of any fear to prove that we are irrevocably loved. Even in darkness, we are the precious breath and heartbeat of God!

“Who would I be, and what power would be expressed in my life,
if I were not dominated by fear.” ~Paula D’Arcy~

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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:

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

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

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

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

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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