St. Emma Nuns

Our Motive Places the Value of Our Life

2012-02-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

The value of our whole life depends on the motive by which we act. Now it is certain that the highest motive is that of love. Once the soul has given herself out of love, nothing stays her, neither sufferings, nor difficulties, nor all that troubles us, for “where there is love, labor is absent” (St Augustine). Try then to give yourself to Christ in this way without reserve, for good and out of love. Then all will go well. Your life will be extremely pleasing to God and very meritorious.

From: Union with God: Letters of Spiritual Direction by Blessed Columba MarmionSelected and Annotated by Dom Raymond Thibaut

Vacare Deo

2012-02-28T00:01:00.000-05:00

If our visits to God are random, they are probably driven by intermittent needs in our lives rather than a desire for relationship. We come like a niece or nephew hoping for a loan or gift from a rich uncle, something to tide us over until the next time. But when we start spending time with God every day, we realize that he has already been with us every day and knows us and our every need already. Even so, God wants us to tell him our needs and our deepest desires, because that will help us become intimately and personally, beyond words and thoughts. And the best way to do that is vacare Deo, spending time with God every day, with no agenda except to take a vacation with God.

From: Life Lessons from the Monasteryby Jerome Kodell, OSB

The Lenten Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian

2012-02-26T00:01:00.000-05:00

O Lord and Master of my life!

Take from me the spirit of sloth,

faint-heartedness,

lust of power,

and idle talk.

But give rather the spirit of chastity,

humility,

patience,

and love

to Thy servant.

Yea, O Lord and King!

Grant me to see my own errors

and not to judge my brother;

For Thou art blessed unto ages of ages.

Amen.

Litany in Honor of St. Walburga

2012-02-25T00:01:00.000-05:00

(for private use)

Lord, have mercy on us,

Christ, have mercy on us,

Lord, have mercy on us,

Christ, hear us,

Christ, graciously hear us,

God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.

God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.

God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.

Holy Mother of God, pray for us.

Holy Virgin of Virgins, pray for us.

Holy St. Walburga, pray for us.

Lily of purity, pray for us.

Lowly violet of humility, pray for us.

Perpetual holocaust of Divine love, pray for us.

Pattern of persevering charity, pray for us.

Shining example of obedience, pray for us.

Ornament of holy virgins, pray for us.

Example of self-denial, pray for us.

Teacher of continual prayer, pray for us.

Fervent follower of the Crucified, pray for us.

Chosen seat of Christian perfection, pray for us.

Ornament of the Benedictine Order, pray for us.

Glorious Saint in Heaven, pray for us.

Our wonder-working Patroness, pray for us.

Refuge of the afflicted, pray for us.

Consoler of the sorrowful, pray for us.

Protectress of the dying, pray for us.

Our refuge in every need, pray for us.

Our chosen Patroness, pray for us.

St. Walburga, whom God has glorified by numberless miracles, pray for us.

St. Walburga, from whose relics flows a healing oil, pray for us.

In all our anxieties and necessities, pray for us.

In times of special temptation and difficulty, pray for us.

In all our griefs and distresses, pray for us.

In every danger, pray for us.

In the hour of death and judgment, pray for us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

Graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

Have mercy on us, O Lord.

Christ, hear us,

Christ, graciously hear us.

V. Pray for us, O holy virgin Walburga,

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray,

O almighty and merciful God,

who repairs all our frailties,

grant to us by the merits of your great servant, St. Walburga,

that we may have recourse to her patronage and intercession

in all our anxieties and necessities,

and may be freed by Your mercy

from all evils of body and soul.

Amen.

I Kiss the Wounds...

2012-02-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

I kiss the wound on Your Sacred Head,
With sorrow deep and true;
May every thought of mine today
Be a thousand acts of love for You,
Of love for You, dear Lord.

I kiss the wound on Your Sacred Shoulder,
With sorrow deep and true;
May every cross I bear today,
Be a thousand acts of love for You,
Of love for You, dear Lord.

I kiss the wounds on Your Sacred Hands,
With sorrow deep and true;
May every task I do today,
Be a thousand acts of love for You,
Of love for You, dear Lord.

I kiss the wounds on Your Sacred Feet,
With sorrow deep and true,
May every step I take today,
Be a thousand acts of love for You,
Of love for You, dear Lord.

I kiss the wounds in Your Sacred Heart,
With sorrow deep and true;
May every beat of my heart today,
Be a million acts of love for You,
Of love for You, dear Lord.

Owning Up to Our Faults

2012-02-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

St. Benedict realized that in owning up to our faults, we would be freed from the chains that bound us – the chains of our guilt. Already asking ourselves the question, “Did anyone see that?”, already shows our embarrassment. We want others to think well of us. We want their admiration and applause. We do not want their disdain. We do not want them to think less of us.

Could it be, though, that by owning up to our fault, especially at those times when it is severe, could realistically help someone else over come their own timidity and seek the forgiveness and healing that they need and desire? Could it be that our example of admitting we are wrong and doing what it takes to set things right actually be the first part of the grace that our Heavenly Father has in store for us.

Growth in the spiritual life does not come with leaps and bounds. It usually comes by falling down and picking oneself up again. It comes by being broken open so that there is room for the Spirit to enter into our lives and work.

Growth also means being patient with ourselves and with those around us who are also on the journey. We only get to graduate from this school of the Lord’s service when we enter fully into the embrace of our Heavenly Father upon our death. Until then, we are learning the rugged and difficult path that leads to the high places in the kingdom of heaven.

Let our prayer be that of Habakkuk: Yet will I rejoice in the Lord and exult in my saving God. God, my Lord, is my strength; me makes my feet swift as those of hinds and enables be to go upon the heights (3:19). Lord, make our feet like those of hinds…

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten journey...

2012-02-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

O God, who are moved by acts of humility

and respond with forgiveness to works of penance,

lend your merciful ear to our prayers

and in you kindness pour out the grace of your blessing

on your servants who are marked with these ashes,

that, as they follow the Lenten observances,

they may be worth to come with minds made pure

to celebrate the Paschal Mystery of your Son.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Mardi Gras - Monastery Style!

2012-02-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

Whatever you want to call it -- Mardi Gras, Fasching, Carnival, Fat Tuesday -- it all commonly means a last day of feasting and good, light-hearted fun before Lenten fasting and abstinance begins.

What do nuns do to celebrate? Well, we've gathered a collection of funny hats, wigs, masks, etc. that we mix with scarfs, brightly colored fabric, some jewelry and whatever else may be at hand and dress up. We enjoy some tasty treats and just have fun relaxing together -- and of course, take some photos to record the memories of our "costume creations."

So, enjoy an extra treat or two today -- and Happy Mardi Gras!

A Wonderful Heart

2012-02-20T00:01:00.000-05:00

One week ago, one of our big-hearted volunteers had three major heart attacks within a 12 hour period. The first one likely during late Sunday night/early Monday morning, one at his doctor's office and the third while undergoing heart catherization at a local hospital.

The first left him incredibly weak -- and it seems that he was unaware that he had it. The second one in the doctor's office got him an ambulance ride with police escort to the nearest hospital. The third one had medical personnel performing CPR for 45 minutes while they hooked him up to a heart-lung bypass machine, and earned him a trip with a specialized ambulance crew to Allegheny General Hospital, and as of Friday he now has an artificial heart.

Ironically it was on Valentine's Day that this wonderful man -- known for having a B-I-G heart, was determined to need a heart transplant. With no donor heart available, he received a titanium artifical heart on the way to a future heart transplant.

As you may be becoming more and more aware, our volunteers are not just individuals that come in and help -- they are truly a part of our family.

We ask your prayers for him, and the nurses and doctors caring for him, and his family. May God bless you!

Without Love Everything Is in Vain

2012-02-19T00:01:00.000-05:00

A treatise on Charity by St. Maximus the Confessor
Charity is a right attitude of mind which prefers nothing to the knowledge of God. If a man possesses any strong attachment to the things of this earth, he cannot possess true charity. For anyone who really loves God prefers to know and experience God rather than his creatures. The whole set and longing of his mind is ever directed toward him.
For God is far superior to all his creation, since everything which exists has been made by God and for him. And so, in deserting God, who is beyond compare, for the inferior works of creation, a man shows that he values God, the author of creation, less than creation itself.
The Lord himself reminds us: Whoever loves me will keep my commandments. And this is my commandment: that you love one another. So the man who does not love his neighbour does not obey God’s command. But one who does not obey his command cannot love God. A man is blessed if he can love all men equally. Moreover, if he truly loves God, he must love his neighbour absolutely. Such a man cannot hoard his wealth. Rather, like God himself, he generously gives from his own resources to each man according to his needs.
Since he imitates God’s generosity, the only distinction he draws is the person’s need. He does not distinguish between a good man and a bad one, a just man and one who is unjust. Yet his own goodness of will makes him prefer the man who strives after virtue to the one who is depraved.
A charitable mind is not displayed simply in giving money; it is manifested still more by personal service as well as by the communication of God’s word to others: In fact, if a man’s service toward his brothers is genuine and if he really renounces worldly concerns, he is freed from selfish desires. For he now shares in God’s own knowledge and love. Since he does possess God’s love, he does not experience weariness as he follows the Lord his God. Rather, following the prophet Jeremiah, he withstands every type of reproach and hardship without even harbouring an evil thought toward any man.
For Jeremiah warns us: Do not say: “We are the Lord’s temple.” Neither should you say: “Faith alone in our Lord Jesus Christ can save me.” By itself faith accomplishes nothing. For even the devils believe and shudder.
No, faith must be joined to an active love of God which is expressed in good works. The charitable man is distinguished by sincere and long-suffering service to his fellow man: it also means using things aright.

From The Liturgy of the Hours

Volume III

The Son

2012-02-18T00:01:00.000-05:00

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Vietnam Conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.

He said, “Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art.” The young man held out this package. “I know this isn’t much. I’m not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this."

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. “Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It’s a gift.

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. “We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?” There was silence.

Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, “We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.”

But the auctioneer persisted. “Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100? $200?”

Another angry voice, “we didn’t come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Gogh’s, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!”

But still the auctioneer continued. “The son! The son! Who’ll take the son?”

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. “I’ll give $10 for the painting.” Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.

“We have $10, who will bid $20?” “Give it to him for $10. Let’s see the Masters.” The crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.

The auctioneer pounded the gavel. “Going once, twice, sold for $10!” A man sitting on the second row shouted, “Now let’s get on with the collection!"

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. “I’m sorry, the auction is over.” “What about the paintings?” “I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!”

God gave his son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. Much like the auctioneer, his message today is: “The Son, the Son, who’ll take the Son?” Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything. For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten Son, whosoever believeth, shall have eternal life. That’s love.

Recommendation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

2012-02-17T00:01:00.000-05:00

O sweetest Heart of Jesus,

to Thee I commend my body

and my soul this night,

that they may calmly rest in Thee.

And as I cannot praise my God

while I sleep,

do Thou deign

to supply my lack of service,

and for every beating of my heart

give praise to the most Holy Trinity

on my behalf;

receive into Thyself

every breath I draw,

and offer them all to God

as glowing sparks of Divine love.

Amen.

~ St. Gertrude the Great

I am the light of the world...

2012-02-16T00:01:00.000-05:00

Ego sum lux mundi;

qui sequitur me,

non ambulat in tenebris,

sed habebit lumen vitae

("I am the light of the world;

the one who follows me does not walk in darkness,

but has the light of life")

John 8:12

One doesn't accept these words at face value. One has to have faith that enables these words to sink in with meaning.

So much of life appears dark and unclear, and if we believe that the appearance is all that really is, then we're in trouble. But if we regularly refer our thoughts to the correcting value of the mind of Christ, then we're walking with clarity and precision. Jesus is the light of the world. He lights up the world. He lights up our lives. That light shows the way even when our mightiest powers of reason fail us.

But this is His promise, and believing Him who can do anything, and believing Him who can neither deceive nor be deceived, turns a spotlight on our steps, choices, and decisions that is flashed our way from heaven itself.

From Latin Sayings for Spiritual Growth

by Rt. Rev. Lambert Reilly, OSB

Snow Fun Nunning II

2012-02-15T00:01:00.000-05:00

Another part of the walk that brought about the mischevious snowball, included a visit to our Last Supper Shrine. We were intrigued at how the blowing wind had caused the snow to drape over Jesus' shoulder.

It was tempting to go over and put your arm around Jesus and give him a hug, and with camera in hand we "captured the moment."

If you are ever in the area, you would be most welcome to visit with Jesus, sharing with Him all that is happening in your life.

Will You Be Mine?

2012-02-14T00:01:00.000-05:00

Will you be Mine?

Will you love Me with all your heart and soul?

Will you cling to Me who are your true strength?

Will you be only Mine?

Snow Fun Nunning

2012-02-13T00:01:00.000-05:00

At the end of last week, temperatures dipped and we received several inches of snow. Several of us have been trying to do the "healthy" thing several times each week and go out and enjoy fresh air, sunshine and make several laps around our beautiful grounds.

Alas, even an innocent walk can be lead some innocent mischief! Unfortunately, the snow proved to be too dry to make a really good snowball, so we contented ourselves with simply enjoying the wonder of God's creation covered with a blanket of pure white snow.

Prayer - Meeting of the Human and the Divine

2012-02-12T00:01:00.000-05:00

All prayer is a meeting between the human will and the will of God; for this we are indebted to the Son's obedience to the Father: "Your will be done." And obedience does not mean only renunciation of one's own will; it means opening one's spiritual eyes and ears to the Love which is God himself, God who loved the world so much thata for its sake he sacrificed his only-begotten Son.

~ Blessed John Paul II

in Sign of Contradiction

The Summons

2012-02-11T00:01:00.000-05:00

So often when we talk about vocation we use the phrase "a calling" or "being called" to describe it.

Yet a somewhat popular hymn with a "ministry and mission" theme is called The Summons, which has a somewhat different meaning. Summon means "to call for," while summons can mean "any call to appear." Calling refers to "one's profession or vocation."

So, then maybe some questions to ask yourself are

Am I being summoned by the Lord?
Does He desire me to follow Him radically?
Am I meant to be someone who is counter-cultural?
What does God want for me?
Am I willing to surrender my will to His will?
Am I willing to say yes to God?

Litany in Honor of St. Scholastica

2012-02-10T00:01:00.000-05:00

For Private Use Only.

Lord, have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us, Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us, Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Pray for us.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us.Holy Virgin of virgins, Pray for us.

Saint Scholastica, pray for us. (repeated after each invocation)
St. Scholastica, true sister of St. Benedict,
St. Scholastica, chosen by God from eternity,
St. Scholastica, predisposed to faith by the grace of Christ Our Lord,
St. Scholastica, consecrated to God from thine infancy,
St. Scholastica, always a Virgin incorrupt,
St. Scholastica, espoused to Jesus Christ,
St. Scholastica, scholar of the Holy Ghost,
St. Scholastica, mirror of innocence,
St. Scholastica, model of perfection,
St. Scholastica, pattern of virtues,
St. Scholastica, glory of the monastic life,
St. Scholastica, mother of numberless virgins,
St. Scholastica, imitator of the angelic life,
St. Scholastica, full of faith in God,
St. Scholastica, replenished with hope of the goods of Heaven,
St. Scholastica, ever burning with the love of thy Spouse,
St. Scholastica, resplendent with humility,
St. Scholastica, trusting as a daughter in the Lord,
St. Scholastica, intent on prayer,
St. Scholastica, quickly heard by the Lord,
St. Scholastica, famed for the praise of perseverance,
St. Scholastica, who didst enter the courts of Heaven in the form of a dove,
St. Scholastica, who dost now follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth,
St. Scholastica, who dost rejoice in the delights of thy Spouse forever,
St. Scholastica, adorned with a crown of glory,
St. Scholastica, advocate with God of those who invoke thee,
St. Scholastica, generous patron of those who imitate thee,
St. Scholastica, holy and innocent Virgin,

We sinners, Beseech thee, Saint Scholasica, to hear us.
That thou wouldst deign to help us by thy most holy
and efficacious prayers to God,We beseech thee, hear us.
That thou wouldst deign to cherish and preserve,
by thy protection, the Benedictine Order and all who dwell therein, We beseech thee, hear us.
That thou wouldst deign to raise up, increase, and preserve our
devotion toward thee, We beseech thee, hear us.
That thou wouldst deign, by thy supplications, to moisten the dryness
of our hearts with the dew of heavenly grace,We beseech thee, hear us.
That by thy intercession thou mayest eternally unite us to Christ,
the Spouse of our souls, We beseech thee, hear us.
That thou mayest lead us to eternal joys, and to Jesus, We beseech thee, hear us.
That thou wouldst vouchsafe to hear us, We beseech thee, hear us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,

Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,

Graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,

Have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, O holy Virgin Scholastica,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let Us Pray.

O God, Who, to show the innocence of her life,
didst cause the soul of Thy blessed Virgin Scholastica
to ascend to Heaven in the form of a dove,
grant, we beseech Thee,
by her merits and prayers,
that we may live so innocently as to deserve to arrive at eternal joys, through Jesus Christ, Thine only-begotten Son Our Lord,
Who with Thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth,
God, forever and ever. R. Amen.

Hello! Nunning

2012-02-09T00:01:00.000-05:00

Believe it or not, this was not a staged photo! On hold on one line and another incoming call on the other!

Hospitality has many faces. Not only do we welcome Christ in the guest at the door, but also welcome Christ in the guest via the telephone, an email, or a letter equally. The reality of all of them is that Christ is being made present to us, to our concern, whether the individual is calling with a prayer request, making a retreat reservation, inquiring about accommodations at our bed and breakfast, looking for an item in our gift and book shop or just has a question or needs a listening ear.

In all of it, we encounter Christ if we are attentive to the moment.

A Prayer for Fulfilling the Will of God

2012-02-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

O most merciful Jesus,

grant me Your grace,

that it may remain with me always

and persevere with me to the end.

Grant me always to will and desire

what is most pleasing

and acceptable to You.

Let Your will be mine,

and let my will always follow Yours

in perfect conformity with it.

Let my will and desires

always be one with Yours;

and let me be unable to will or not will except

as You will or do not will.

Grant that I may die to all worldly things,

and that I may be despised and unknown

for love of You.

Grant, above all things to be desired

that I may find rest in You,

and that in Your heart alone may be my peace.

You, O Lord,

give true peace to the heart

and perfect rest to body and soul.

Apart from You,

all is difficult and never still.

In that peace,

in You Who are the one,

supreme and eternal Good,

I will sleep and take my rest (Ps. 4:9)

Amen.

from The Imitation of Christ

by Thomas A Kempis

Book 3, Chapter 15

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!

2012-02-07T00:01:00.000-05:00

I had rather one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I had rather lie at the threshold of the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
Psalm 84:11

The response and verses of today's Responsorial Psalm at Mass sum up so beautifully how our hearts are drawn to the Lord! Even a single day with Him is better than days beyond counting.

Praying, living, working all within the confines of the monastry grounds and in such close proximity to the Chapel is the grace of our monastic vocation. Supported by each other, we place our hearts and whole being at His service.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like? We invite you to come and experience it for yourself. We have a new overnight planned for Palm Sunday weekend (March 31-April 1) or a longer time planned April 4-8 (or you could come for a day or two during those days). Contact Sr. Mary Clare at 724-834-3060 or email vocations@stemma.org for additional information or to sign up.

I am the light of the world...

2012-02-06T00:01:00.000-05:00

Ego sum lux mundi; qui sequitur me, non

ambulat in tenebris, sed habebit lumen vitae

("I am the light of the world;

the one who follows me

does not walk in darkness,

but has the light of life")

John 8:12

One doesn't accept these words at face value. One has to have faith that enables these words to sink in with meaning.

from Latin Sayings for Spiritual Growth

by Archabbot Lambert Reilly, OSB

World Day for Consecrated Life

2012-02-05T00:01:00.000-05:00

Instituted by Blessed John Paul II in 1997, this day of prayer for men and women in consecrated life. Attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (February 2), it is also known as Candlemas Day due to the candles that are blessed as part of the liturgy. Let us pray that those in the consecrated life may reflect the light of Christ for all to see.

Prayer for Consecrated Persons

God our Father,

we thank you for calling men and women

to serve in your Son’s Kingdom

as sisters, brothers, religious priests,

consecrated virgins, and hermits,

as well as members of Secular Institutes.

Renew their knowledge and love of you,

and send your Holy Spirit to help them

respond generously and courageously to your will.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,

who lives and reigns with you

and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

(Prayer from the USCCB)

Commemorating Mary on Saturday

2012-02-04T00:01:00.000-05:00

During Ordinary Time, the option is given in the Liturgy to commemorate the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturdays. Here at the monastery, we do this once a month, usually on the First Saturday, unless another saint's feast day falls on that day.

Why do we do this? Mary was the first person who "got it right." Unlike Eve and Adam who wanted to become gods themselves, Mary humbled herself before God. She said "Yes!" to God's will and became the Mother of Jesus. Where would we be today without Mary's yes?

Today, take a few minutes to ask Mary to intercede for you before the throne of her Son, and ask her to help you to be open to God's will for your life. May you be able to say fiat to God just like Mary did.

Abandoning Ourselves Unreservedly

2012-02-03T00:01:00.000-05:00

Few souls understand

what God would accomplish in them

if they were to abandon themselves

unreservedly to Him

and if they were to allow His grace

to mold them accordingly.

~ St. Ignatius Loyola

Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace...

2012-02-02T00:01:00.000-05:00

Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace,

according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.
~ From the Gospel of Saint Luke

These words from Saint Luke's Gospel which is an option for today's feast, are prayed each night at Compline -- the Office that closes our day and begins our time of sacred silence until the next morning. In these short, yet poignant phrases, Simeon praises God for seeing the Messiah, and prophesies that Jesus will not only be a light for his own people, but also for all peoples.

Tonight as you pray your final prayers, perhaps Simeon's words can be added and well as a few quiet moments to ponder this tremendous gift of faith that we have received from God.

February Prayer Intentions of Pope Benedict XVI

2012-02-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

Access to Water. That all peoples may have access to water and other resources needed for daily life.

Health Workers. That the Lord may sustain the efforts of health workers assisting the sick and elderly in the world’s poorest regions.

For more information about the Apostleship of Prayer, visit: http://www.apostleshipofprayer.org/.

Emma von Regensburg

2012-01-31T00:01:00.000-05:00

If one truly wishes to understand the life and work of Blessed Emma of Regensburg, one must enter into the political world of that time period. Charlemagne who died in Aachen in the year 814 had a worthy successor in Ludwig the Pious (814-840), even though the latter lacked the hands-on decisiveness that Charlemagne had possessed.

Ludwig the Pious had a magnificent, deeply Christian view of the "Christian Empire" which would be located in the heart of Europe. In order to secure this goal, he divided the empire amongst his three sons in the year 817. His son Ludwig, who would later be called "The German", received the eastern part of the empire with Bavaria in its center.

And that same Ludwig married Emma, the daughter of a Bavarian Count. She had been born around 808 and had received a good, deeply Christian education. Both partners in this marriage (which occurred in 827) were very well suited for each other, even at an interior level. It was a very harmonious relationship. God gave them seven children. Unfortunately one child, Gisla, died when still quite young.

Our history books praise Emma's generosity. She was a great benefactress to the poor and the patroness of the Obermuenster female religious foundation which she headed. Most of her life was spent in Regensburg and it was greatly focused upon providing the children with a solid Christian education.

However, politics of the bigger world entered herein as well. Ludwig became involved in disputes over matters of inheritance and Emma also felt the effects. Not even the fate of the children was left untouched by politics: in order not to be tied down politically, their father gave all of his daughters into monasteries.

The children enjoyed their education in Regensburg, the favorite residence of their royal parents. The greater part of this education occurred at the Obermuenster foundation which, as religious foundation for noblewomen, also bore the task of educating the daughters of the nobles within the kingdom.

Emma, the queen of deeply-rooted faith, had much suffering to bear in her life: All her children died before they reached the age of thirty! She herself suffered a stroke in 874 from which she never recovered. On January 31, 876 she died in Regensburg, devoted to God and ready to meet Him. Her grave to this day (according to monastery tradition) is located inside St. Emmeran Church in Regensburg. Her tomb bears a beautiful and graceful facial image and is one of the most beautiful sculptures of the Thirteenth Century.

January 31 is the feast day of Blessed Emma of Regensburg.

Names:

"Emma" translated means "strong (lady) fighter"

Related names: Hemma, Emy, Imma.

Prayer

Lord, Our God,

You alone are holy,

and no one is good without Your help.

Grant that,

through the intercession of Blessed Emma,

we may model our life according to Your will

and attain that level of holiness

which You intend for us.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Source: translation of a small leaflet

from the Basicilica of St. Emmeran,

Regensburg, Germany

Adoring Him Whom We Receive

2012-01-30T00:01:00.000-05:00

Receiving the Eucharist means adoring Him whom we receive.

Only in this way do we become one with Him,

and are given, as it were, a foretaste of the beauty of the heavenly liturgy.

The act of adoration outside Mass prolongs and intensifies

all that takes place during the liturgical celebration itself.

~ Pope Benedict XVI

May angels guide you and bring you into paradise...

2012-01-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

1914 - 2012

R.I.P.

The "dress rehearsal" of a few months ago when Sr. Gaudentia became extremely ill and was placed on hospice (for the 3rd time), did nothing to prepare us for the reality of truly having to say "Auf Wiedersehen" ("until we meet again"). That reality came yesterday afternoon shortly before 12:30.

We had an overnight group and had literally finished serving the meal and the first round of coffee when the community was summoned from the retreat kitchen and dining room (as well as several other corners) that Sister Gaudentia would shortly meet her Bridegroom. (Our tremendous volunteers took over our hospitality so that we could be with Sister during those final moments.)

For those who know Sister Gaudentia, this is not surprising. For 50+ years she worked in the monastic refectory (dining room) at St. Vincent Archabbey (Latrobe, PA) from 1934 - 1987, coming out to St. Emma's with the last group of Sisters. Here at St. Emma's she served an additional 10 years in our monastic refectory as well as in our retreat dining room until her health declined. Her care and concern for the needs of others cannot begin to be adequately described.

We shall dearly miss her warm smile, joyful presence and the peace and prayerfulness one sensed in her being.

Dear Sister Gaudentia, may the angels guide you and bring you into paradise... You shall indeed be sorely missed. Know that we love you and rely on your prayers for us from the other side of the veil...

Creation of Man by Science?

2012-01-28T00:01:00.000-05:00

God is sitting in Heaven when a scientist says to Him, "Lord, we don't need you anymore. Science has finally figured out a way to create life out of nothing. In other words, we can now do what you did in the beginning!"

"Oh, is that so? Tell me..." replies God.

"Well, " says the scientist, "we can take dirt and form it into the likeness of You and breathe life into it, thus creating man."

"Well, that's interesting. Show Me."

So the scientist bends down to the earth and starts to mold the soil.

"Oh no, no, no..." interrupts GOD. "Get your own dirt."

Rosary Nunning

2012-01-27T00:01:00.000-05:00

While all that we do is in some way related to prayer, as we try to keep our attention centered on Christ, some occupations do seem to keep prayer more to the forefront of our thoughts.

In her spare time, one of our Sisters has "revived" the art of handmaking rosaries -- and assuredly each bead is a prayer as she works to take the "raw materials" of beads, links, pins, crucifix and center and make it into something beautiful to help raise someone's heart and mind in prayer.

Holy Abbots of Citeaux

2012-01-26T00:01:00.000-05:00

O God,

you inspired your Saints Robert, Alberic and Stephen

with a love of silence, solitude and poverty.

By their prayer and example,

may we be drawn to closer union with You,

and we may always cherish you above all.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Conversion...

2012-01-25T00:01:00.000-05:00

The story and the image of St. Paul (or Saul as he was known then) being knocked to the ground as he approached Damascus is one that we are all familiar with.

Today we celebrate this event in our liturgies. Meditating and thinking about this episode in Paul's life, made me stop and think about how the Lord broke through into my life.

Today, take a few moments and sit and ponder this for yourself. What are the times that the Lord has "knocked" you to the ground like He did Paul? And, like Paul, how were you then able to hear His voice?

Prayer of St. Francis de Sales For Complete Trust in God

2012-01-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

Do not look forward to the changes

and chances of this life with fear.

Rather, look to them with full confidence

that, as they arise,

God to whom you belong

will in his love

enable you to profit by them.

He has guided you thus far in life,

do you but hold fast to his dear hand,

and he will lead you safely through all trials.

Whenever you cannot stand,

he will carry you lovingly in his arms.

Do not look forward

to what may happen tomorrow.

The same eternal father who takes care of you today

will take care of you tomorrow,

and every day of your life,

either he will shield you from suffering

or he will give you unfailing strength to bear it.

Be at peace then,

and put aside all useless thoughts,

all vain dreads and all anxious imaginations.

Amen.

Grant me, O Lord my God...

2012-01-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

Grant me, O Lord my God,

a mind to know you,

a heart to seek you,

wisdom to find you,

conduct pleasing to you,

faithful perseverance in waiting for you,

and a hope of finally embracing you.
~ Saint Thomas Aquinas

I will make you fishers of men...

2012-01-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him. (from Mark 1:14-20)

Can you imagine what it was like for Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John? Had they been waiting for Jesus to come by? Searching the horizon for Him while they worked? Hoping, against hope, that they could at least catch a glimpse of Him? Can you hear their conversations: "Did you see Him yet?" "Do you think He will be on shore when we get there?" "Do you think He'll let us spend some time with Him today?" "What do you make of that last story He told?"

Today, let's put ourselves in this Gospel passage and think about how we would react if we were called like Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John. Would you, do you, have to courage to follow Him as unreservedly as these apostles?

Saint Agnes, pray for us...

2012-01-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

This young woman gave her life for Christ at the age of 12 or 13! She promised her purity to Christ, and chose death rather than sin. Many wanted to marry her because of her beauty, but she always replied, "Jesus Christ is my only Spouse."

It was due to her refusal to marry the governor's son, that he accused her of being a Christian and had her condemned to his father. His father promised her great gifts is she would renounce Christ, but still she refused.

Today, let us pray to Agnes, that we may be strengthened by her love for Christ, her true Spouse, and so imitate her in following Him more closely.

Spouse of Christ

2012-01-20T00:01:00.000-05:00

Yet the union is much closer, the quality of spouse shines with a much greater brilliance in the case of the souls consecrated to God by the vows of religion. It is to these souls that in all verity can be applied the title of spouse of the Word; in them this sublime condition is realised in its plenitude. That union which by its profound intimacy imitates, though in an absolutely spiritual manner, the marriage union, does it not constitute the summit of the religious life? Ought not the soul to tend towards this union, by use of the many divine favours, by its generous and attentive efforts to remove all obstacles, and by using all means which lead to God? Can it not be said that the virgin consecrated to Christ will not have fully attained His ideal, will not have completely realised the thought of God in her regard, if she does not tend with all her strength towards this blessed state?

...Without doubt we may say once again that we ought to dwell in a profound admiration for the thrice-holy God, yet at the same time we must never lose sight of the fact that Jesus Christ is the Sovereign Master of all things. "You call me Master and Lord, and you say well for so I am. Vocatis me Magister et Domine et bene dicitis, sum etenim." But this divine Master, this Lord before whom "the angelic powers, tremble," tremunt postestates: a few moments before had so humbled Himself before these same disciples as to wash their feet. It is love again which has led Him to descend to the consecrated souls, to raise them to the in effable dignity of spouse. This love plunges reason in astonishment, but faith lifts them to these heights. "We have known and have believed the charity which God hath to us": Et nos cognovimus et credidimus caritati quam habet Deus in nobis. Every soul vowed to God by the religious consecration is called to this position of spouse to the Word; she carries the title; if she is faithful, she enjoys the rights which are attached to it; she is loaded with marks of tenderness by her divine Spouse, and her union with Him becomes the source of a wonderful fecundity.

...It was the habit of that great monk, St. Bernard, to talk to his cloistered brethren of the astonishing union which Jesus Christ deigned to contract with the souls dedicated to him, in terms which inspired them with his own piety; he himself had first entered into "the cellars of the King" 24 and to his monks who were eager for his teaching he gave of the abundant light which Incarnate Wisdom shed upon him. You know that his commentary upon the "Canticle of Canticles," although unfinished, is a series of eighty-six conferences which he gave at the Abbey of Clairvaux. In one of these the great Abbot traces with a master hand the portrait of the soul that is truly the spouse of Christ. Here are his words: "When you shall see a soul leave all things to adhere to the Word with all her strength, live by Him, allow herself to be guided by Him, conceive what she should bring forth by Him; a soul, in short, who can say: for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain, then you can indubitably recognise her for a spouse of the Word."

~ quotes taken from Sponsa Verbi

by Dom Columba Marmion, OSB

Love does not measure...

2012-01-19T00:01:00.000-05:00

Intense love does not measure,

it just gives.

~ Mother Teresa

A man is known by his deeds...

2012-01-18T00:01:00.000-05:00

A tree is known by its fruit;

a man by his deeds.

A good deed is never lost;

he who sows courtesy reaps friendship,

and he who plants kindness gathers love.

~ Saint Basil

Clothe your soul with the garment of faith...

2012-01-17T00:01:00.000-05:00

"Every morning you put on your clothes

to cover your nakedness

and protect your body from inclement weather.

Why don't you also clothe your soul with the garment of faith?

Remember each morning the truths of your creed,

and look at yourself in the mirror of your faith.

Otherwise, your soul will soon be naked with the nakedness of oblivion."~ St. Augustine

Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts

2012-01-16T00:01:00.000-05:00

The text of this hymn is attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux (ca. 1090-1153). It provides a wonderful meditation for us as it did for his monks...

Jesus, Thou Joy of loving hearts,
Thou fount of life, Thou Light of men,
From the best bliss that earth imparts,
We turn unfilled to Thee again.

Thy truth unchanged hath ever stood;
Thou savest those that on Thee call;
To them that seek Thee Thou art good,
To them that find Thee all in all.

We taste Thee, O Thou living Bread,
And long to feast upon Thee still;
We drink of Thee, the Fountainhead,
And thirst our souls from Thee to fill.

Our restless spirits yearn for Thee,
Wherever our changeful lot is cast;
Glad when Thy gracious smile we see,
Blessed when our faith can hold Thee fast.

O Jesus, ever with us stay,
Make all our moments calm and bright;
Chase the dark night of sin away,
Shed over the world Thy holy light.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux, 12th Century (Jesu dulcis memoria);

translated from Latin to English by Ray Palmer, 1858, in his Poetical Works (New York: 1876).

Cleaning Up Nunning

2012-01-15T00:01:00.000-05:00

Unless you eat a lot of take out, you know from experience that pots and pans at the end of a meal don't do themselves -- you need to roll up your sleeves and tackle the job.

It's no different at the monastery, except our pots and pans tend to be larger (our usual number for an ordinary meals is about 20 including volunteers). Add a retreat group -- or two, and the number can climb to 60, 70, 80 or more! So it definitely can be a bigger task.

Work in the monastery isn't viewed so much as a "job to be done", although it is that as well. We try, sometimes better and sometimes needing improvement, to see every task as a manifestation of our love for God and for our neighbor.

My Queen! My Mother!

2012-01-14T00:01:00.000-05:00

Today in The Liturgy of the Hours and at Mass, we commorate the Blessed Virgin Mary. We hope you find this prayer, by St. Gertrude the Great, one that you will want to turn to again and again...

My Queen! My Mother!

I give thee all myself,

and to show my devotion to thee,

I consecrate to thee my eyes,

my ears,

my mouth,

my heart,

my entire self.

Wherefore, O loving Mother,

as I am thine own,

keep me,

defend me,

as thy property and possession.

I love you Lord my strength..

2012-01-13T00:01:00.000-05:00

I love you, LORD, my strength...

(from Psalm 18)

From where do we gain our strength?

From communion with the Lord

and from service to our brothers and sisters.

We have wonderful examples of both these in Jesus's own life:

long nights spent in prayer -- in communion with the Father

and in healing the sick,

forgiving sins,

raising the dead,

preaching the kingdom of God was present.

Take a few moments today

and see how you derive your strength

from the Lord.

And if you find you are weak,

ask yourself how you can find your strength in Him...

Mercy...

2012-01-12T00:01:00.000-05:00

Confession of sin comes from the offer of mercy.

Mercy displayed causes confession to flow,

and confession flowing opens the way to mercy.

If I have not a contrite heart,

God's mercy will never be mine;

but if God had not manifested His mercy in Christ,

I could never have a contrite heart.

~ William D. Arnot

2012-01-11T00:01:00.000-05:00

Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening...

(from 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20)

This quotation taken from Samuel's first encounter with the Lord is one that is well known, but perhaps not pondered often enough.

Each time we hear the scriptures proclaimed at Mass or we sit and read scripture on our own, it is a graced experience wherein we hear the Lord speaking.

Today, listen with the ear of your heart for God's voice calling to you through the scriptures. What is it that He desires to share with you today?

Painting the Church

2012-01-10T00:01:00.000-05:00

There was a Scottish painter named Smokey MacGregor who was very interested in making a penny where he could, so he often thinned down his paint to make it go a wee bit further.

As it happened, he got away with this for some time, but eventually the local church decided to do a big restoration job on the outside of one of their biggest buildings. Smokey put in a bid, and, because his price was so low, he got the job.

So he set about erecting the scaffolding and setting up the planks, and buying the paint and, yes, I am sorry to say, thinning it down with turpentine...

Well, Smokey was up on the scaffolding, painting away, the job nearly completed, when suddenly there was a horrendous clap of thunder, the sky opened, and the rain poured down washing the thinned paint from all over the church and knocking Smokey clear off the scaffold to land on the lawn among the gravestones, surrounded by telltale puddles of the thinned and useless paint.

Smokey was no fool. He knew this was a judgment from the Almighty, so he got down on his knees and cried:

"Oh, God, Oh, God, forgive me; what should I do?"

And from the thunder, a mighty voice spoke… "Repaint! Repaint! And thin no more!"

Baptism of the Lord

2012-01-09T00:01:00.000-05:00

And a voice came from the heavens,
"You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."(from Mark 1:7-11)

In smaller and bigger ways, this is something we all long to hear: with you I am well pleased. Yet, desiring to hear it from a human voice is not what our soul is listening for.

Spend some time today marveling in the fact that you are a child of God and that He indeed is well pleased with you. Who knows? The Spirit may surprise you and whisper those words to you while you sit and ponder this tremendous gift.

What Star Is This

2012-01-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

This Epiphany hymn whose text was composed by Charles Coffin (1736) and translated from the Latin into English by John Chandler (1837) provides a wonderful text for us to meditate on today, the Epiphany of the Lord.

What star is this, with beams so bright,
More lovely than the noonday light?
'Tis sent to announce a newborn King,
Glad tidings of our God to bring.

'Tis now fulfilled what God decreed,
"From Jacob shall a star proceed";
And lo! the Eastern sages stand
To read in heaven the Lord's command.

The guiding star above is bright;
Within them shines a purer light,
Which leads them on with power benign
To seek the Giver of the sign.

True love can brook no dull delay;
Nor toil nor dangers stop their way
Home, kindred, father land and all
They leave at their Creator's call.

O Jesus, while the star of grace
Impels us on to seek Your face,
Let not our slothful hearts refuse
The guidance of Your light to use.

To God the Father, God the Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One,
May every tongue and nation raise
An endless song of thankful praise.

The Gifts

2012-01-07T00:01:00.000-05:00

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain,
gold I bring to crown him again,
King for ever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign.

Frankincense to offer have I:
incense owns a Deity nigh;
prayer and praising, gladly raising,
worship him, God Most High.

Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

These verses from the traditional hymn We Three Kings help give an explanation of the gifts the Christ Child received from these visitors from the East. We have heard often gold, frankincense and myrrh -- but what's the meaning? Kingship. Divinity. Death. Three very distinct things that marked who He was and what He would accomplish.

Christ's kingship was not a power struggle that was used to suppress the people He ruled. His kingship is rather as Lord of our hearts -- a good, kind, merciful king who is concerned and loving.

Christ is the Son of God and Son of Man. He left the heights of heaven and assumed the flesh of man yet lost nothing of his divinity.

Christ's death was his triumph on the Cross. His death, bitter, painful and bloody, was willing embraced so that we -- sinners that we are -- could be re-united with Him once again.

What gifts are we being asked to present this Epiphany? Probably not gold, frankincense and myrrh -- but erhaps there something more we could do each day? A kind word or smile? Refraining from a harsh word? Giving that extra hand when we don't think we can give any more? Take some time today to think what gift you can give...

The Gift

2012-01-06T00:01:00.000-05:00

In silence and wonder,

They followed the Star,

Three Wise Men of old,

Who travelled so far,

To worship the Babe,

Born on that night,

Bringing His hope,

To a world filled with plight.

In reverence and awe,

They knelt where He lay,

Filled with god's spirit,

As they did pray,

Giving their thanks,

To the Father above,

Who blessed the world,

With this gift of His love.

They carried His message,

Back to their home,

And all through the world,

Where they did roam.

Three lives that were changed,

On that memorable night,

By following the Star,

That brought the world Light.

~ by Collette Fedor

From Crib to Cross...

2012-01-05T00:01:00.000-05:00

The way we came to know love
was that he laid down his life for us;
so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers...

(from 1 John 3:11-21)

One with the Father, yet not clinging to His divinity. Sharing our lowly human state, yet God. These paradoxes are as striking as realizing that the wood of the manger would be exchanged for the wood of the cross. Both bore Him, yet so vastly different.

By becoming man, Christ put on our humanity and laid down His life so that we might become regain what we had lost through the sin of Adam and Eve.

The question now becomes, how do we lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters so that we may become sharers in His Love and in His Kingdom?

Concert Nunning

2012-01-04T00:01:00.000-05:00

Once again this Christmas season, we enjoyed the musical talent of the Igou Family String Ensemble. This family of talented young people traveled with their parents from the Somerset area last evening to provide an outstanding evening of string music for our community as well as for those who were able to join us.

It's been a tremendous joy for us to get to know their family, see how the younger ones grow from "concert to concert" both physically as well as musically, and be part of their faith journey.

Our prayers go out to Abby, who is now an aspirant with the Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

May God bless you all, and our thanks!

Celebrating the Advent of a Life

2012-01-03T00:01:00.000-05:00

The universal joy of Christmas is certainly wonderful.

We ring the bells when princes are born,

or toll a mournful dirge when great men pass away.

Nations have their red-letter days,

their carnivals and fesitivals,

but once in the year and only once,

the whole world stands still to celebrate

the advent of a life.

Only Jesus of Nazareth claims this world-wide,

undying remembrance.

You cannot cut Christmas out of the calendar,

nor out of the heart of the world.

~ Anonymous

Evermore be led to thee...

2012-01-02T00:01:00.000-05:00

As with gladness me of old

Did the guiding star behold,

As with joy they hailed its light,

Leading onward, beaming bright,

So, most gracious Lord, may we

Evermore be led to thee.

These words of a more popular Ephiphany hymn struck a different cord today, especially the last part...So, most gracious Lord, may we evermore be led to thee.

At the beginning of this new year of grace 2012, I had to ask how am I being led to thee? Shouldn't I be asking how am I being led by thee? Am I -- are you -- allowing ourselves to be led along new and different paths by the Lord? Ones that we might not pick on our own, yet called to follow nevertheless?

As we begin this new year, let's ask the Lord which path He wants us to follow, and then trust Him to lead us.

Yes, sometimes it may be a wild ride with the Holy Spirit at the helm, but He always knows what's best for us, and what brings forth gifts and talents we never knew we possessed. So, hang on and let's go!

January Prayer Intentions of Pope Benedict XVI

2012-01-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

Victims of Natural Disasters: That the victims of natural disasters may receive the spiritual and material comfort they need to rebuild their lives.
Dedication to Peace: That the dedication of Christians to peace may bear witness to the name of Christ before all men and women of good will.

For more information about the Apostleship of Prayer, visit: http://www.apostleshipofprayer.org/.

The year is closed...

2011-12-31T00:01:00.000-05:00

The year is closed, the record made;

The last deed is done, the last word said.

The memory alone remains

Of all its joys, its griefs, its gains;

And with purpose full and clear

I turn to meet another year.

Robert Browning

Reborn each moment...

2011-12-30T21:09:00.000-05:00

Celebrate the feast of Christmas every day,

even every moment

in the interior temple of your spirit,

remaining like a baby

in the bosom of the heavenly Father,

where you will be reborn each moment

in the Divine Word, Jesus Christ.

~ St. Paul of the Cross

The Three Trees

2011-12-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up.

The first little tree looked up at the stars and said: "I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I'll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!"

The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on it's way to the ocean. "I want to be traveling mighty waters and carrying powerful kings. I'll be the strongest ship in the world!"

The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. "I don't want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me, they'll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world."

Years passed. The rain came, the sun shone, and the little trees grew tall. One day three woodcutters climbed the mountain. The first woodcutter looked at the first tree and said, "This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his ax, the first tree fell. "Now I shall be made into a beautiful chest, I shall hold wonderful treasure!" The first tree said.

The second woodcutter looked at the second tree and said, "This tree is strong. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his ax, the second tree fell. "Now I shall sail mighty waters!" thought the second tree. "I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings!"

The third tree felt her heart sink when the last woodcutter looked her way. She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven. But the woodcutter never even looked up. "Any kind of tree will do for me," he muttered. With a swoop of his ax, the third tree fell.

The first tree rejoiced when the woodcutter brought her to a carpenter's shop. But the carpenter fashioned the tree into a feedbox for animals. The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold, nor with treasure. She was coated with saw dust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals.

The second tree smiled when the woodcutter took her to a shipyard, but no mighty sailing ship was made that day. Instead the once strong tree was hammered and sawed into a simple fishing boat. She was too small and too weak to sail to an ocean, or even a river. Instead she was taken to a little lake.

The third tree was confused when the woodcutter cut her into strong beams and left her in a lumberyard. "What happened?" The once tall tree wondered. "All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God..."

Many, many days and night passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams. But one night, golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her newborn baby in the feedbox. "I wish I could make a cradle for him," her husband whispered.

The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth and the sturdy wood. "This manger is beautiful," she said. And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world.

One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake. Soon a thundering and thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered. She knew she did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through with the wind and the rain.

The tired man awakened. He stood up, stretched out his hand, and said, "Peace." The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun. And suddenly the second tree knew she was carrying the king of heaven and earth.

One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man's hands to her. She felt ugly and harsh and cruel. But on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God's love had changed everything.

It had made the third tree strong. And every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God. That was better than being the tallest tree in the world.

The next time you feel down because you didn't get what you want, sit tight and be happy because God is thinking of something better to give you.

~ Author Unknown

The Legend of the Poinsettia

2011-12-28T00:01:00.000-05:00

It once was the custome in Mexico

For the villagers to leave

A gift for the Baby Jesus

In their church on Christmas Eve.

In one small village, a little boy,

Who had no gift to bring,

Prayed to God for a way to show

His love for the Infant King.

God, in His mercy, looked down on the boy

And answered his earnest prayer

By causing a flower to bloom where he knelt --

A flower so brilliant and fair.

The miraculous flower was formed like a star

With leaves tht were red and so bright,

And the boy's precious gift has come to be known

As the "Flower of the Holy Night."

Published in Christmas Blessings

by Hallmark

What we have looked upon and touched with our hands...

2011-12-27T00:01:00.000-05:00

St. John, whose feast we celebrate today, is an amazing person to look to when discerning a vocation. Why? It wasn't seeing the Babe in the manger at Bethlehem. But John's own words in his Gospel when he arrived at the tomb on that first Easter morning: he "saw and believed." Not swaddling clothes, but the burials cloths are what cemented his faith.

Belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, as John so eloquently expresses in the opening lines of his first letter:

What was from the beginning,

what we have heard,

what we have seen with our eyes,

what we looked upon

and touched with our hands

concerns the Word of life --

for the life was made visible;

we have seen it and testify to it

and proclaim to you the eternal life

that was with the Father and was made visible to us --

what we have seen and heard

we proclaim now to you,

so that you too may have fellowship with us;

for our fellowship is with the Father

and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

(1 John 1:1-4)

As you sit and ponder these words today, ask yourself a few simple questions: how do I see Christ today? how do I touch Him? how do I proclaim His presence to those around me?

Nativity Nunning

2011-12-26T00:01:00.000-05:00

The creche in our chapel, while containing the same basic elements (i.e. same figurines and stable) always seems to ends up with a new "effect." This year is no different -- in fact you could say this year it grew.

Grew? Well, this year we added a starry sky. Our plain white walls needed some color and light. So consulting with one of our ever loyal volunteers, several engineering discussions having occurred, a check on what might be in house and a trip to the lumber store, Sears and JoAnne Fabric brought about the elements needed to achieve our goal.

First two of our guys hauled in the three sheets of 4' x 8' particle board and stood them in place. Next 4' x 6' nets of LED lights were strategically stapled to the boards followed by dark blue fabric being draped loosely over them to create the twinkling night sky. Then we stapled some beige-tone fabric to the base of the particle board to create the "horizon" and then we went for it with more fabric, boxes, dried grasses, and, yes, even more lights! We think the effect is quite dramatic -- and even better experienced in person.

Stop by the Cor Jesu Chapel to pay Jesus a visit!

Here's a sneak preview of the Creche before
we placed the figurine of the Christ Child.

A Christmas Prayer

2011-12-25T00:01:00.000-05:00

Christ Eternal, hear our prayer,

Bless our friends everywhere,

Bless each home and fireside hearth,

Bless the children's fun and mirth,

Bless the carols that are sung

As the holly greens are hung;

May all earth this Christmastide

In Thy joy and peace abide.

Christ Eternal, shed Thy love

From Thy throne in Heav'n above,

Fill with peace the hearts of men

As Thou didst at Bethlehem;

May Thy glory fill this day

'Til all men shall know the way

to Thy great salvation free,

Blood-bought Gift of Calvary.

Christ Eternal, may all men

Look anew to Bethlehem,

May they see the guiding star,

May they hear the angel choir,

May their faith grow deep and strong,

Trusting Thee, God's only Son;

May all earth its homage pay,

Christ, to Thee this Christmas Day.

Kathryn Thorne Bowsher

Ero Cras

2011-12-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

Our O Antiphons have taken us on a journey. We have traveled a great deal with Isaiah these past days and now our O Antiphons have spelled out a message for us. By taking the first letter from each of the Latin titles of the antiphons, we arrive at the words ero cras, which translated means "Tomorrow, I will come."

This message brings both our Advent and our O Antiphons to their promised fulfillment: the feast of the Nativity of Our Lord.

Admist the business of the day, try to take even a few moments to sit and quietly reflect on this great mystery: God who created the world and all that it holds took on the flesh of our humanity in order to redeem us. Yes, Christmas is an awesome time. Not because of the tinsel and the presents, but because God became a tiny, helpless baby because He loved us so much!

O Emmanuel

2011-12-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

O Antiphon text:

O Emmanuel,
God with us,
our King and lawgiver,
the expected of the nations
and their Savior:
come to save us,
O Lord our God.

Reflection:

O Emmanuel!

God with us!
Your birth gave rise to a new Kingdom
And a Law of love!
O long-desired,

And yearned for by your Chosen People,
Your birth changed all understanding
Of what it was they should be seeking.
You fulfilled all the prophecies of old
And brought all peoples together
to seek you anew.
Come, O Emmanuel!

And save us from ourselves!

Additional texts for reflection:

Isaiah 7:14

Matthew 1:23

1 Timothy 4:9

O Rex Gentium (O King of Nations)

2011-12-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

O Antiphon text:

O King of the gentiles
and their desired One,
the cornerstone that makes both one:
come, and deliver man,
whom you formed out
of the dust of the earth.

Reflection:

O King of Nations,

Whom all desire
You were both a stumbling stone
and a cornerstone
to those whom you encountered.
When man had sinned
And turned from You,
You assumed what You were not,

Yet your divinity retained,
So that sinful Adam
May once again
Undivided communion with You attain.
Come, O King of Nations,

And deliver the man
You made.

Additional texts for reflection:

Isaiah 2:4; 11:10; 28:16

Psalm 47:8;

Psalm 118:22

Jeremiah 10:7

Daniel 7:14;

Haggai 2:8

Matthew 21:42

Mark 12:10

Luke 20:17

Acts 4:11

Romans 15:12

Ephesians 2:14, 20

O Oriens (O Dayspring)

2011-12-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

O Antiphon text:

O Dayspring,
Brightness of the everlasting light,
Sun of justice,
come to give light to them
that sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death.

Reflection:

O Dawn of Eternal Day,

Who most desire
To drive darkness and sin away.
In Thy radiance,
of Lord of Light,

Give to your people your gift of sight.
By Your wondrous birth may we,
evermore be made like unto Thee.
Come, O Dawn of Eternal Day,

and shine on all
in darkness and in death's dread thrall.

Additional texts for reflection:

Isaiah 9:1; 58:8; 60:18-20

Malachi 4:2

Luke 1:78-79

John 8:12

Revelation 22:16

O Clavis David (O Key of David)

2011-12-20T00:01:00.000-05:00

O Antiphon text:

O Key of David,

and scepter of the house of Israel,

who opens and no man shuts,

who shuts and no man opens:

come, and lead forth the captive

who sits in the shadows from his prison.

Reflection:

O Key of David,

Who through your gift of the priesthood
Reigns today and is the only key.

In the gift of your priesthood,
We experience your mercy and forgiveness.
As we celebrate the wondrous Sacrament of Reconciliation.
We know that it is You who opens and no man may shut
And who shuts that no man may open:

Come, Lord,

And loosen the shackles,
With which we bind ourselves
And lead us through
Your open door.

Additional texts for reflection:

Isaiah 3:7
Jeremiah 13:13, 51:19
Matthew 4:15; 16:19
Luke 1:79

Revelation 3:7

O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse)

2011-12-19T00:01:00.000-05:00

O Antiphon text:

O Root of Jesse,

that stands for an ensign of the people,

before whom the kings keep silence

and unto whom the Gentiles

shall make supplication:

come, to deliver us,

and tarry not.

Reflection:

O Root of Jesse,

A small beginning,

And yet the anchor of a mighty tree!

From such a tiny beginning,

You reigned majestically from the Cross!

Whom the Magi worshiped

Simply bowing low and presenting their gifts

And from whom today

Many nations and peoples

Find their joy and salvation

And present their needs and necessities.

Come, Lord,

and do not delay...

Additional texts for reflection:

Isaiah 11:1, 10

Romans 15:12

O Adonai (O Sacred Lord)

2011-12-18T00:01:00.000-05:00

O Antiphon text:

O Sacred Lord of ancient Israel,

who showed yourselft to Moses in the burning bush,

who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain:

Come, stretch out your mighty hand

to set us free.

Reflection:

O Sacred Lord,

Who appeared as a flaming bush to Moses,

and as a flame we see symbolized

In your Sacred Heart

And in the Tongues of Fire.

You who gave Moses the Law,

And who gave us a New Law of Love,

to Love You and our neighbor equally.

Come, Sacred Lord,

And set us free,

Break the bonds of sin that bind us.

Additional texts for reflection:

Exodus 3:2

Isaiah 33:22; 63:11-12

Micah 6:4

Acts 7:30-31

O Sapientia (O Wisdom)

2011-12-17T00:01:00.000-05:00

O Antiphon text:

O Wisdom,

who came from the mouth of the Most High,

reaching from end to end

and ordering all things mightily and sweetly:

come, and teach us prudence.

Reflection:

O Wisdom,

Who took on human flesh

And was born in time,

Yet the ever timeless Word.

You, the sinless One,

Took our sins upon You,

And nailed them to your Cross.

Restoring humanity to its original image,

And making it once more

Sons and daughters of God.

Teach us to live

That we may reflect

Your Spirit

Shining forth from within our hearts.

Scripture texts for further reflection:

Wisdom 8:1,

Isaiah 11:2-3 and 28:29

Proverbs 8:1-36

John 1:1-5

The Golden Nights

2011-12-16T00:01:00.000-05:00

Just as we have Holy Week that leads up to the great feast of the Resurrection, so in Advent we have what some have referred to as the golden nights, which creates an octave leading up to the feast of the Incarnation of our Lord.

During these days, which begin on December 17, the Magnificat antiphon at Vespers recalls titles given to Christ in the Book of of the Prophet Isaiah. Those titles are:

Sapientia
Adonai
Radix Jesse
Clavis David
Oriens
Rex Gentium
Emmanuel

Over the next days we will reflect on these titles of Christ to further ready our hearts for Christmas. If you would like to do some extra research on these antiphons on your own, simply google "O Antiphons" or a website that we discovered that offers a lot of detail is http://fisheaters.com/customsadvent10.html.

Tannenbaum Nunning

2011-12-15T00:01:00.000-05:00

The erection and decoration of the various Christmas trees throughout the monastery and its environs calls forth various gifts and talents. This year has been no different thus far, and it all started with the placement of the star...
This beautiful 12' tree pictured above was given to us this year. One of our volunteers assisted a Sister in assembling it. It was known (though not widely), that the bottom of the pole was "somewhat" bent, but it assembled well and looked really terrific -- and most importantly, stood erect!

A few days later, one of us began to decorate the tree by putting the star on the top, with the necessity of tilting the top slightly in order to reach it from the 10' ladder. All went well until Sister was down ladder and moved it to a better location to begin decorating. You guessed it, the tree began to fall...

Three of us and two of our strong-armed male volunteers then began the nearly hour long task of making the tree stand erect on its own. When shoring up the base didn't help, we switched the tree to a different style holder, and adding stronger shoring up material, i.e. rocks. When that didn't work, the engineering mind said we needed to wire it. Thankfully, the recessed area in the ceiling had four screws placed in the architecture that were in the exact places needed to attach the wires, and now our tree is standing wonderfully erect!

And as you probably have already guessed, our minds are already thinking of what needs done to make this task to erecting and decorating this particular tree easier next year...

Prayer for Guidance

2011-12-14T09:00:00.001-05:00

Dear Lord,

give me the truths which are veiled

by the doctirnes and articles of faith,

which are masked by the pious words

of sermons and books.

Let my eyes penetrate the veil,

and tear off the mask,

that I can see your truth face to face.

Readying Our Hearts to Receive Jesus - Part X

2011-12-13T00:01:00.000-05:00

Christ Child

Worship the child in the manger with special love. All that you do, do in the name of Jesus. Give Him your heart. While at work, pray also again and again to God.

Ask God for his grace and pray with devotion the Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus.

Readying Our Hearts to Receive Jesus - Part IX

2011-12-12T00:01:00.000-05:00

Mother of God - Purity

Honor in a special manner this Advent the most Blessed Virgin Mary. Sacrifice all your activities to the service of her. Carefully make sure the stable to Bethlehem is entirely pure, or whether somehow dust and spider webs dirty the manger. For example, you must search your conscience search to see that your heart does not hang on temporal or earthly things.

Ask God for the grace of purity of heart and pray the Litany of Loreto.

Readying Our Hearts to Receive Jesus - Part VIII

2011-12-11T00:01:00.000-05:00

St. Joseph

Awake in your heart a pious devotion after the example of Saint Joseph. Remember with what love he served the Christ Child, with what constant love he guarded the holy Virgin, with constant holiness he administered his house and fulfilled all duties, with what deep devotion he worshiped God and revered his holy, virginal bride. Follow him and imitate him with God’s grace.

Pray with devotion the Litany of St. Joseph.

Readying Our Hearts to Receive Jesus - Part VII

2011-12-10T00:01:00.000-05:00

The Angel

Take care that the angel, the peace of the heart, is in the stable at Bethlehem. When you perceive in your heart an aversion to a person or feel displeasure, for example hatred or envy, resentful self-love, or whatever it would be, you must remove it from your heart. You must forgive all from your heart.

Ask God for His grace, peace, and peacefulness and pray with devotion five Our Fathers and Hail Marys.

Readying Our Hearts to Receive Jeus - Part VI

2011-12-09T00:01:00.000-05:00

Shepherd

Good will is the shepherd by the manger of your heart. Sacrifice and offer to God your will with all its inclinations and wishes. Offer God gladly and willingly all your freedom. Unite your will entirely with the will of God and desire nothing that does not please Him.

Ask God for His grace and conform your will to the will of God and reverently pray five Our Fathers and Hail Marys.

Readying Our Hearts to Receive Jesus - Part V

2011-12-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

Little Donkey

Retrieve the donkey in the stable of Bethlehem through faithful service of God. Carry readily and diligently the load which the Lord enjoins on you. Be constant in the observation of the regulations, as well as in the fulfillment of your duties. Offer everything that you do, as well as your sufferings and joys to the Lord, so that your whole life will be a service to God.

Ask God for his grace and pray the Litany of the Saints.

Readying Our Hearts to Receive Jesus - Part IV

2011-12-07T00:01:00.000-05:00

Little Ox

Retain reverent silence in the stable at Bethlehem. You must remember that we must give an account over all our words. A Church Father says: "Often I have regrets over words I have spoken; never, however, over having been silent."

Ask God for the grace of silence and pray with devotion three Our Fathers and the Salve Regina.

Readying Our Hearts to Receive Jesus - Part III

2011-12-06T00:01:00.000-05:00

Lamb

Today, o God-loving soul, you must also be the lamb at the manger, this is meekness of the heart, never flying into a rage, never being cross, never retaliates, lovingly apologizes, forgives all and rather suffers the largest wrongs than commits the smallest ones.

Ask God for his grace and help and pray with devotion three Our Fathers and the Salve Regina.

Readying Our Hearts to Receive Jesus - Part II

2011-12-05T00:01:00.000-05:00

Fence

Place your fence around the manger through preservation of your senses. Hold yourself back, speak less and consider how Mary has never spoken a useless word, as well as how chaste she was. Offer your silence and speech with hers to God.

Ask God for his grace and help and pray with devotion three Hail Marys and the Memore.

Readying Our Hearts to Receive Jesus - Part I

2011-12-04T00:01:00.000-05:00

Today's reading from the beginning of St. Mark's Gospel gives a familiar image: St. John the Baptist by the Jordan River baptizing the people as they confessed their sins. He was helping to prepare them for the coming of the Messiah.

Over the next days, we invite you to join in an older custom that we have begun anew several years ago: the spiritual nativity. Each Advent, each Sister draws a slip from a basket and then uses that "lense" so to speak as a means to help prepare her heart. We would like to share some of these with you, so that you, may have a thought each day to think and pray about in order to ready your heart for Christ in a special way this Christmas:

Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem

The Stable

Awaken a loving desire in your heart for the Christ Child and prepare with all care the stable through the practice of the humility. Offer all that you have, in particular offer up your self will and self love to the Lord. Prune your pride and your vanity.

Ask God for His grace and His help and pray with devotion three Our Fathers and the Salve Regina.

Patience is a diamond...

2011-12-03T00:01:00.000-05:00

Arm yourselves with that patience which works such wonders in the saints and renders a frail girl capable of ovecoming the entire world. Moreover, the triumph is assured even before the contest is begun, for patiences lives iwth the sorrows of the world and finds its delights in vexations...

Let us reflect, and we will see that our sufferings in this life are not at all in proportion to the greatness of Christ's sufferings, the gravity of our sins, the horror of the torments of hell, and the celestial reward...

Patience is a diamond which enables the soul to resist all adversity; a remedy which heals all wounds; and a buckler which protects against every attack...

~ Blessed Humbert of Romans

Stir up your power, we pray, O Lord, and come...

2011-12-02T00:01:00.000-05:00

Stir up your power, we pray, O Lord, and come,

that with you to protect us,

we may find rescue

from the pressing dangers of our sins,

and with you to set us free,

we may be found worthy of salvation.

Who live and reign with God the Father

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

From The Roman Missal, Third Edition

Friday of the First Week of Advent

Pope Benedict XVI's Intentions for December

2011-12-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

Photo: Pressestelle Erzbischöfliches Ordinariat München

December's Intentions:

Peace Among All Peoples: That all peoples may grow in harmony and peace through mutual understanding and respect.

Children and Youth: That children and young people may be messengers of the Gospel and that they may be respected and preserved from all violence and exploitation.

For more information about the Apostleship of Prayer, visit: http://www.apostleshipofprayer.org/.

What is prayer?

2011-11-30T00:01:00.000-05:00

What is prayer?

It is the mind detached from earthly things

and the whole heart pointed

to that in which it hopes.

~ Isaac of Ninevah

Pray without ceasing...

2011-11-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

If you want to pray “without ceasing”

never cease to long for God.

The continuation of your longing

is the continuation of your prayer;

if you cease to long for him,

prayer ceases.

~ St. Augustine

Thoughts on prayer...

2011-11-28T00:01:00.000-05:00

Prayer is called meditation

until it has produced the honey of devotion,

when it may become contemplation…

when the love of God takes possession of our hearts,

then we contemplate His goodness,

hoping to satisfy our love.

~ St. Francis de Sales

Advent Nunning

2011-11-27T00:01:00.000-05:00

You can tell its Advent in the monastery: large Advent wreaths are set up in the chapel, the refectory (monastic dining room), our recreation room as well as several other locations. Wherever you look, it seems that you have the visible reminder in purple and pink that there are four weeks to prepare your heart to receive Christ in a special way at Christmas.

Advent is about waiting and preparing. Preparing to celebrate the Birth of Christ that happened 2000 years ago, the coming of Christ when He returns, and the coming of Christ in the here and now of Christmas 2011.

How do we prepare? For us, today is a day of recollection, a day of prayer. Just as one would spend time with friends or loved ones, we spend time today and during these days of Advent in a special way with our Divine Bridegroom asking Him and inviting the Spirit to make our hearts even more like unto His own Sacred Heart and an intimate dwelling place for Him.

What are you doing this Advent to make your heart a home for Christ? Take some time today to ask the Lord what He most desires for you. Who knows, you may be very surprised at the gift Christ gives you for Christmas...

Climb Until Your Dreams Come True

2011-11-26T00:01:00.000-05:00

Often your tasks will be many,
And more than you think you can do…
Often the road will be rugged
And the hills insurmountable, too…
But always remember, the hills ahead
Are never as steep as they seem,
And with Faith in your heart start upward
And climb ’till you reach your dream,
For nothing in life that is worthy
Is ever too hard to achieve
If you have the courage to try it
And you have the Faith to believe
For Faith is a force that is greater
Than knowledge or power or skill
And many defeats turn to triumph
If you trust in God’s wisdom and will…

For Faith is a mover of mountains,
There’s nothing that God cannot do,
So start out today
with Faith in your heart
And Climb ‘Til Your Dream Comes True!

~Helen Steiner Rice

'Twas the Night Before Christmas ~ A New Version

2011-11-25T03:00:00.000-05:00

This delightful little updated poem catches what our culture tells us these days leading up to Christmas -- and Christmas itself is about. We are an Advent people -- people preparing a place in our hearts to welcome anew the Newborn King. Read on to the end -- and find out what this season is really about...

'T'was the night before Christmas
and all through the town
Not a sign of Baby Jesus
was anywhere to be found.

The people were all busy
with Christmas time chores
Like decorating, and baking,
and shopping in stores.

No one sang "Away in a manger,
no crib for a bed".
Instead, they sang of Santa
dressed-up in bright red.

Mama watched Martha Stewart,
Papa drank beer from a tap.
As hour upon hour
the presents they'd wrap

When what from the T.V.
did they suddenly hear?
'Cept an ad.. which told
of a big sale at Sears.

So away to the mall
they all flew like a flash...
Buying things on credit...
and others with cash!

And, as they made their way home
From their trip to the mall,
Did they think about Jesus?
Oh, no... not at all.

Their lives were so busy
with their Christmas time things
No time to remember
Christ Jesus, the King.

There were presents to wrap
and cookies to bake.
How could they stop and remember
who died for their sake?

To pray to the Savior...
they had no time to stop.
Because they needed more time
to "Shop til they dropped!"

On Wal-mart! On K-mart!
On Target! On Penney's!
On Hallmark! On Zales!
A quick lunch at Denny's

From the big stores downtown
to the stores at the mall
They would dash away, dash away,
and visit them all!

And up on the roof,
there arose such a clatter
As grandpa hung icicle lights
up on his brand new step ladder.

He hung lights that would flash.
He hung lights that would twirl.
Yet, he never once prayed to Jesus...
Light of the World.

Christ's eyes... how they twinkle!
Christ's Spirit... how merry!
Christ's love... how enormous!
All our burdens... He'll carry!

So instead of being busy,

overworked, and uptight
Let's put Christ back in Christmas

and enjoy some good nights!

How to Observe Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;

Count your gains instead of your losses.

Count your joys instead of your woes;

Count your friends instead of your foes.

Count your smiles instead of your tears;

Count your courage instead of your fears.

Count your full years instead of your lean;

Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.

Count your health instead of your wealth;

Count on God instead of yourself.

~Author Unknown

The Smallest Prayer

2011-11-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

God hears the very smallest prayer,
Nor sends a cross too great to bear,
And though we stumble now and then,
He always picks us up again.
There is no moment day or night,
When we are hidden from His sight,
No wall too high nor door too stout,
To keep His loving care without.

His ways are wiser than our own,
His strength remains when ours is gone,
We must not doubt nor question why,
He sends the answers by and by.
And this I know within my heart,
All darkness fades and shadows part,
And that sometime, somehow, somewhere,
God hears and answers every prayer!

~ by Grace E. Easley

Two Horses

2011-11-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

Just up the road from my home is a field,
with two horses in it.

From a distance, each looks like every other horse.
But if you stop your car, or are walking by,
you will notice something quite amazing.

Looking into the eyes of one horse will
disclose that he is blind.

His owner has chosen not to have him put down,
but has made a good home for him.
This alone is amazing.
If nearby and listening,
you will hear the sound of a bell.
Looking around for the source of the sound,
you will see that it comes from the
smaller horse in the field.

Attached to her halter is a small bell.
It lets her blind friend know where she is,
so he can follow her.

As you stand and watch these two friends,
you'll see how she is always checking on him,
and that he will listen for her bell and then
slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she
will not lead him astray. When she returns to the
shelter of the barn each evening, she stops
occasionally and looks back, making sure her
friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses,
God does not throw us away just because
we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings
others into our lives to help us when we are in need.
Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by
the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives.

Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see. Good friends are like this.
You don't always see them, but you know they are always there. Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours.

Five Simple Rules to Be Happy

2011-11-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

Remember these five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred -- Forgive.

2. Free your mind from worries -- Most never happen.

3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.

4. Give more.

5. Expect less from people but more from God.