Sunday Scripture - Reflection for February 11, 2024Scripture Reflection: February 11, 2024 – 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2024 Lev 13:1-2, 44-46 Mark 1: 40-45 Reflecting on today’s readings, I am struck by the contrast in Leviticus and the Gospel reading from Mark. Both deal with leprosy. In Leviticus, the person afflicted is commanded by the Law to go to the priest, who will determine if the person has leprosy. If so, then he is banished from his village for the rest of his life. In the gospel reading, a man with leprosy approaches Jesus. Despite his uncleanness, he is not afraid to get “up close and personal” with Jesus. He has complete faith in Jesus’ compassion and ability to make him clean. What trust and courage! I am touched by the man’s humility and his lack of assumption about how Jesus will respond. The leper humbly makes his request for healing, but only if “Jesus wills it.” Jesus responds by immediately making the man clean! What is the reason that the two stories end so differently? It is as simple and as complex as the presence of Jesus and his merciful love shown in the gospel. Jesus longs to “cleanse” us of whatever it is that needs healing in our lives. Just like the leper, we need to approach Jesus with humility, praying for the faith to accept God’s response – and trusting that “Jesus’ will be done.” Melanie Hartshorn Spiritual Springs Community Fort Bend, Texas
0 Comments
Have you checked on the leaders in your life lately?By Tammy Townsend Denny, TI Executive Director
Have you checked on the leaders in your life lately? The pastor at your church, how’s he doing? Your local or district Theresian leader, how is she? Your family’s matriarch, is she OK? Your manager at work, is she/he struggling or doing well? The chairperson of your homeowner’s association, the principal of your child’s school, or the owner of your favorite store, how are they this week? Sometimes we may think leaders have everything figured out. They may speak with ease and seem to move gracefully through challenges. They may exude a confidence that makes us think they need no help. But as we will read on the first Sunday of Lent, even Jesus had angels who ministered to him (Mark 1:13). This Lent, I encourage you to consider giving to others (almsgiving) by checking on the leaders in your life. Pause and ask your pastor, your child’s principal, or your manager, “Is there anything you need – anything I can do -- that would make your work easier?” I challenge you to be the angel who ministers to and is there for the leaders in your life. Sunday Scripture - Reflection for February 4, 2024Scripture Reflection: February 4, 2024 – 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Mark 1:29-39 There was a long line of people waiting at the door of Simon’s House. There were many people wanting to meet the healer. The following morning Jesus went into the gardens, he sought the darkness of the wilderness to pray. Jesus kept going off to find quiet places to pray. Jesus prayed for the guidance of his Father. What happened to Simon’s mother-in-law? Jesus simply takes her hand; her fever is gone, and she is lifted up. Her response to the miracle is to get busy serving him. This precious woman that has no documented name is Jesus’s first deacon. Today we continue to be part of miracles. Perhaps some of us might go into the dark wilderness to get close to God in prayer. This is where we meet God, and sometimes our fears, face to face. It is in solitude and darkness that we find our purpose and learn to trust completely in God’s will. We can talk to him about anything. There are times we pray spontaneously. We do not have to wait in line for healing. Jesus knows your heart and is always waiting for our prayers. He is by our side, take your troubles to him, put your trust in our Lord. Simons mother in-law gets busy serving in gratitude. Prayer often prompts spiritual restoration. With our purpose to love, healing begins. May we each be part of a community and family filled with the love of spirit. As with Simon’s mother-in-law we will grow in grateful love for the ways he raises us up. Janice LeMond Companions on the Journey Community, Austin, TX Sunday Scripture - Reflection for January 28, 2024Scripture Reflection: January 28, 2024 – 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time IF TODAY YOU HEAR HIS VOICE Psalm 95 The Word is Calling! Listen! The Word is calling! Come within the pages of My story. I have written Myself throughout history. I have been rejected, glorified, praised. I have sung in joy! Listen! Listen! The Word is calling! I have breathed my words into you. You are part of My salvation. Your story is mingled with those who have spoken for Me. I am present when you reject Me, when you glorify and praise Me. I am present in your deepest sorrow and in times of forgiveness. I am your joy. I am your hope. Listen! Listen! Listen! The Word is calling! Live your word. A word I breathed into you That you may write the scripture of today. You are part of the plan. Oh, please say YES! Listen! The Word is calling you! Sara Fontana Wildflowers Theresian Community League City, TX Sunday Scripture - Reflection for January 21, 2024Scripture Reflection: January 21, 2024 -- 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Jon 3:1-5, 10 Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 1 Cor 7:29-31 Mk 1:14-20 Reflecting on the readings for this Sunday, the message I received was to embrace change. Why is that so hard to do? The Ninevites were asked to repent and change their ways. They did and they were saved. In the second reading, St. Paul is tells the Corinthians that things are changing. He tells them that “the world in its present form is passing way.” Again, that’s a hard message to hear. In the Gospel, Mark tells us the story of Jesus recruiting Simon, Andrew, James and John on the seashore and asking them to leave everything behind and follow him. Leave EVERYTHING behind! Can you imagine being asked to do something like that—to change like that? God challenges us to rethink our lives and to change. Change is hard, sometimes almost impossible. Then we hear the message of the Psalm. Ask for help! “Teach me your ways, O Lord.” Psalm 25 tells us to ask for help. “Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior.” Yes, change is hard, yet God tells us that it’s necessary and that He will guide us. Gretchen Penny Seekers Community, Houston, TX Transforming GraceBy Tammy Townsend Denny, TI Executive Director
I had an opportunity this week to attend a webinar on “Transforming Grace,” the new initiative from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) that asks the question: “What is ours to do in this time?” In November, LCWR began creating reflection guides on “Transforming Grace” that are intended for use by faith communities. Each guide has a link to an opening song and includes prayers, scripture, inspirational thoughts, and questions for reflection that are “grounded in contemplation and [are] an engagement in learning the skills and practices that will lead to decision-making and action that leads to being in right relationship...” The reflections for the weeks of January 14 and January 22 are available by clicking here and here. If you are looking for programs for your Theresian community, I invite you to check out LCWR’s “Transforming Grace” page on their website. On this page, you will find downloadable PDFs of all the Transforming Grace Reflection Guides. Sunday Scripture - Reflection for January 14, 2024Scripture Reflection: January 14, 2024 -- 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Psalm 40 I have waited, waited for the Lord And he stooped toward me and heard my cry. And he put a new song into my mouth, A hymn to our God. (Ps 40:2,4) I often wonder where my words come from When I write a reflection on a psalm. When I read Psalm 40 today at Mass, I realized: They come from a place deep within. But only after I spend time with the psalm: I turn the words and phrases over and over, Looking for meaning, looking for connection, Waiting for the Lord who hears my cry. With the Divine above and within and With channels open between, the Spirit stoops down, Guides, provides, and puts “a new song into my mouth”: “A hymn to our God.” Amen. Anne Broussard Esprit de L'ame Community Lafayette, Louisiana, USA Message of love, faith, and hopeBy Tammy Townsend Denny, TI Executive Director
Many of you probably are familiar with longtime Theresian Robin Hebert, Open Heart Community, Lafayette, Louisiana. Robin and her husband Easton recently were featured on the podcast “Can I Getta Amen” where they share about their “life and love through loss and laughter.” I encourage you to listen to Robin and Easton’s gentle message of love, faith, and hope in this podcast. Take some time this weekend to “let your spirit catch up with you,” to use Easton’s words. Robin will be one of the speakers at the Theresian International Gathering in Houston on September 20-22. Sunday Scripture - Reflection for January 7, 2024Gospel Reflection: January 7, 2024 -- Epiphany Mt 2:1-12 When people first meet the newborn king, they immediately recognize his greatness. In the Gospel we see the Magi following the star, saying they have come to “do him homage”. The Magi are guided by a light to find the Messiah when the infant named Jesus appears like a light shining in darkness. Imagine their awe at their long-awaited discovery. They are overjoyed and prostrate themselves and share their finest gifts with him. Their faith comes from their wisdom. We should seek out Jesus with this same spirit, giving all of ourselves to Him. When we greet him in the Eucharist and in adoration, we should adore Him in this very way. The Entrance Antiphon from the Vigil Mass (“Arise, Jerusalem, and look to the East and see your children gathered from the rising to the setting of the sun.”) reminds me to follow the light of Christ each day from start to finish. It doesn’t hurt that God bookmarks most days by a beautiful sunrise and sunset. This antiphon also encourages me to evangelize as I picture Christians physically filling in all of these spaces. Come let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord. Anita Roberts-Long Roses on the Teche Community Lafayette, Louisiana, USA New Year - Renewed CommitmentBy Tammy Townsend Denny, TI Executive Director In this first week of the new year when my renewed commitment to doing things that enliven my brain and spark my soul is still fresh, I read Brian Doyle’s essay “A Better Monk Would Know.” Doyle begins the essay, “I was in a monastery the other day and got to talking to a monk who, when I asked him why he was a monk… said, because it’s hard.” The monk goes on, “Because I am not sure I can do it all… let alone do it well, and do it for years and years, perhaps for my whole life.” Amen, yes! My professional work; my home life; my spiritual life; the way I parent and step-parent; the relationship with my husband; my coursework for my Master of Divinity program; the way I wash my face, brush my teeth, blow-dry my hair; the way I exercise; the garden I plant; the books I want to read; the healthy food I want to eat – all of it! I am not sure I can do it all and do it well for years and years. The temptation is to curl up on the couch, pull a blanket over my head, and watch Netflix until my brain turns to mush. But Doyle’s monk continues, “I try to be a good monk for a week at a time… I might have been happy and fulfilled in a dozen ways. But I knew inside that I had to try to do what was hard for me to do, to be of best use.” This year, our Theresian Litany of Solidarity invites us to stand in solidarity through prayer and action with women emerging in leadership in church and society -- the women, like you and me, who are not sure they can do it all or do it well, but who have committed themselves to being of best use by doing difficult things. As we prayerfully unite to support women emerging in leadership, I invite you to spend some time with Doyle’s essay “A Better Monk Would Know.” What does it say to you about the emerging leaders in your life, in your church, in your family, and in your Theresian community? What does it say to you about being of best use and doing hard things? My hope is that 2024 is filled with opportunities for each of us to take these words of Doyle’s monk to heart: “I cannot explain why I hope that what I do matters; all I can do is do what I do, either well or ill, patiently or not, gracefully or not.” |
Archives
March 2024
Categories
All
|
Theresians International
PO Box 487 | Elburn, IL 60119 |
QUICK LINKS
|