January 2012

ST. JULIE SAYS ………………………………………………………………………………………………..

“I must begin by wishing you a happy New Year. With all my heart I wish it to be a year overflowing with graces and blessings.” – St. Julie Billiart, L 13

 WHERE ARE WE ON THE JOURNEY? 

 The first two weeks of January bring closure to the Christmas Season and the final two weeks signal the beginning of Ordinary Time. January 1 celebrates Mary as Mother of God and January 8 celebrates the “Manifestation” of Jesus to the world. From January 15, the Church moves into Ordinary Time – the season of discipleship, the season of learning how to follow Jesus Christ in our everyday lives. During this month, ponder the awesomeness of Mary’s “YES,” the Magi’s choice to follow the star, Jesus’ invitation to “Come and See,” and Jesus’ invitation to “Follow Me.” This month also celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph on December 30 and the Baptism of the Lord on Monday, January 9. The Baptism is significant because it marks the beginning of Jesus’ public life.

 

WHERE AM I ON THE JOURNEY? ……………………………………………………………………………..

 January 1, 2012 Mary, Mother of God

1. I prayerfully and slow read Numbers 6:22-27. I wonder what it would be like for Mary and Joseph to listen to God’s blessing. I pay attention to how I feel as this blessing is pronounced for me.

2. I reflect on Galatians 4:4-7. I ask for the grace to hear what is being said to me. I ponder anew what it means for me to be a son or daughter of God! I marvel at what wonders God has done for me!

3. Mary treasured all these messages and continually pondered over them. As I prayerfully read Luke 2:16-21, I too remember what was said of the newborn child and I ponder these things for my life now.

January 8, 2012 Epiphany of the Lord

1. I slowly read Isaiah 60:1-6. I pay attention to how and when the word “light” is used. I substitute my name in place of Jerusalem.  What practical meanings do I uncover for my life now?

2. Paul is anxious to share God’s plan with all who are willing to listen. As I read Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6, I ponder what this means to become one in Jesus Christ and to fully enjoy the promises of God.

3.  I let myself be one of the “wise-people” from Matthew 2:1-12 . I ponder what it feels like to encounter Herod and the Jewish religious leaders. I wonder about my own life and the “stumbling blocks” that get in my way of whole heartedly following the star leading me to Jesus.

January 15, 2012 2^nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

1. Old Eli and young Samuel have an important message for me! I prayerfully read 1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19. I reflect on Eli’s advice to Samuel as well as Samuel’s reply to God’s call. I spend some time now remembering how I respond to God’s call. I ask myself if I am happy with my response. I ask myself if I think or feel God is pleased with my response.

2. I reflect on the Psalm response: “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.” I pray for the faith to act generously today and every day of my life.

3. I ponder John 1:35-42 and step into the shoes of John the Baptist, and also, Andrew, or his brother, Simon Peter. I listen to Jesus ask me “What I am looking for” and invite me to “Come and See.” I spend some extra time on this.

 January 22, 2012 3^rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

1. I read Jonah 3:1-5, 10. I give focused attention to “in obedience to the word of Yahweh, Jonah went to Nineveh.” I remember that Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh and was swallowed by the whale during one of his avoidance episodes. I identify with Jonah’s feelings and slowly begin to name my feelings that may get in the way of my whole hearted response to God’s call.

2. The Psalmist prays “Teach me your ways, O Lord” in Psalm 25. I pray to make this my own prayer.

3. Mark (1:1-20) goes to the heart of the message: “Now is the time;” “The Kingdom is here;” “Change your ways;” “Believe the good news.” I prayerfully reflect how these phrases are lived out in my life today.

4. I reflect on Jesus’ call to the first disciples: Andrew, Simon, James and John. I marvel on what made it possible for each of them to drop everything for them to follow Jesus “at once” and “immediately.” I wonder when I have ever responded so quickly and completely.

January 29, 2012 4^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

1. I read today’s Psalm (95:1-2, 6-7; 7-8) –“If today you hear his voice, harden not your heart.” I let this be my prayer attitude today. I prepare myself to listen to God’s message to me, right now.

2. Jesus teaches with authority (Mark 1:21-28). I listen attentively to the observations and insights of the people who listened to Jesus. I watch the encounter among Jesus, the man with the evil spirit, and the crowd. I wonder if I have ever witnessed anything comparable.

 

A PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY…………………………………………………………………………………

Almighty ever-living God, who, when Christ had been baptized in the River Jordan and as the Holy Spirit descended upon him, solemnly declared him your beloved Son, grant that your children by adoption, reborn of water and the Holy Spirit, may always be well pleasing to you. (We ask this) through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. (Collect, Baptism of the Lord, 2011)

 

 

               

December, 2011

WORDS FROM ST. JULIE: I am all yours at the feet of our good Jesus in his holy crib. Let us put all our hearts there, I beg of you, my dear good daughters. May the holy feasts be fruitful for us. How I wish it for you with all my heart. (Namur, December 22, 1810)

WHERE ARE WE ON THE JOURNEY? December finds us continuing our Advent Journey of preparation for the Feast of the Incarnation when we celebrate Jesus coming into each of our lives AT THIS MOMENT: through the Eucharist, through the Word of God, through prayer, through other people, and through God dwelling within us through the Holy Spirit we receive at Baptism. How do we want to respond to this great gift of God’s coming? How do we savor this gift of God’s coming, and respond to this gift in our time? Take some time to unwrap the gift by reflecting on the readings from the December Liturgies.

December 4 Second Sunday of Advent

December 11 Third Sunday of Advent

December 18 Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 25 Christmas (Vigil, Midnight, Dawn and Day)

WHERE AM I ON THE JOURNEY?

Read the passages again. In prayer, reflect on the following questions:

1. I read IS 40:1-5, 9-11. How do I need God’s comfort, God tenderly speaking to me in my life right now?

2. Again I read IS 40:1-5, 9-11. How is the glory of God being revealed in my life?

3. I prayerfully read MK 1:1-8. How is God “preparing the way” and “making straight the paths” in my life?

4. I return to MK 1:1-9. Where am I hearing “glad tidings”? How am I called to bring “glad tidings” to others?

5. I take time with IS 61:10. What do these words speak to me?

6. I pray LK 1:46-55. I talk to Mary about her experience. What do I want to share with her of my experience?

7. I go to 1Thes 5: 16-24 and let myself sink into the words I find there. What feelings and/or images surface within me? I talk to God about them.

8. I let God speak PS 89:2-5, 9-11 directly to me. What do I want to say in response?

9. How do I need God to strengthen me? I talk to God about what I’m thinking/feeling.

10. I pray LK 1:26-38, asking the Holy Spirit to guide my imagination as I enter into the story. What do I want to say to the Angel? What do I want to say to Mary?

11. I take time to reflect on the question: How am I experiencing God’s light in my life? How am I experiencing abundant joy…peace…justice?

12. I pray LK 2:1-20. I ask the Holy Spirit to guide my imagination as I enter into the story. What do I see? What do I hear? What do I feel as I imagine myself in the midst of the events described there? What do I want to say to God at the end of my prayer time?

13. I take time to savor IS 52:7-10, letting it lead me to prayers of praise.

14. I pray JN 1:1-8, letting the phrase “and the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” repeat over and over in my heart.

A PRAYER FOR THE SEASON

Good and gracious God, our hearts desire the warmth of your love and our minds are searching for the light of your Word. Increase our longing for Christ, our Savior, and give us the strength to grow in love, that the dawn of His coming may find us rejoicing in His presence and welcoming the light of His truth. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

November 2011

Words from St. Julie:  Tell all, all, that I carry them in my heart while I am walking in the mud in the streets of Ghent! Ah, what a long way I have been walking since my arrival!  May it all be for the greater glory of the good God!  –Ghent, November 23, 1809.

Where are we on the Journey?  The first three Sundays of November bring to an end the current Liturgical Year.  As the days grow shorter and the daily news seems filled with darkness, these Sundays offer us the opportunity to reflect on the meaning of Christian life.  Where do we find hope, strength, courage, companionship and meaning?  We begin a new Liturgical Year with the First Sunday of Advent on November 27^th.  Advent offers us the opportunity to focus on God’s desire to be our hope, our strength, our courage, our source of meaning and companion on the journey.  How are we, or are we not, allowing God to BE for us?  Let us take the opportunity to give thanks for the gift of God’s presence with us, and to look for ways to let God more fully into our lives as individuals and as a faith community.

November 6 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

November 13 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

November 20 Feast of Christ the King

November 27 First Sunday of Advent

Where am I on the Journey?

Read the passages again.  In prayer, reflect on the following questions:

1.  I read PS 63. What word or phrase stands out?  I ponder that word or phrase. I talk to God about that word or phrase and ask God for insight.

2.  I read PS 63 again. For who or what am I thirsting?

3.  I enter into MT 25:1-13, asking the Holy Spirit to guide my reflection on this parable. Where do I find myself in the parable? What stands out for me? What do I want to talk to God about?

4.  I reflect on 1 THES 5:1-6.  How do I experience being a child ‘of the light?’ What does this mean for my life?  How can I be opened to increasing the brightness of God’s light in my life?

5.  I read MT 15:14-30 again. What are the “talents” God has given me to steward?  How responsibly do I use them to bring the world closer to God’s dream for creation?

6.  I spend time praying with EZ 34:11-12, 15-17 and PS 23. How do I experience God’s caring for me, God’s goodness and love in my life? I take time to savor and give thanks.

7.  I pray MT 25:31-46 as an examination of conscience. How do I reach out in service to others? How do I see Christ present, experience Christ in those I serve?

8.  I spend time sinking into the image in IS 64:7.  How do I experience God molding, shaping and stretching me?  How do I resist the hands of the Potter? I notice the feelings that surface in me and talk to God about them. I listen for God’s response.

9.  I open 1 COR 1:3-9 as a treasure chest:  taking time to enjoy each rich phrase that touches my heart, listening deeply to God’s voice and presence in the words.  What do I hear, feel, experience?

11.  I read MK 13:33-37 again, praying it from the perspective of hospitality.  How hospitable am I toward God, towards others? How do I make space for God in my life, for others to be the gift God has created them to be, for my true self?

A Prayer for the Season

To you, O Lord, I lift my soul. Show me your paths and teach me to follow; guide me by your truth and instruct me. O, God, be with me on the journey, for all your ways are beautiful and all your paths lead me to peace. (A prayer based on Psalm 25)