April 2009

Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
National Vocation Team
April 2006

WORDS FROM ST. JULIE

I should very much have liked to write a little word to all my good daughters to wish them a holy Resurrection. Tell them that if my pen does not do so my heart does. I offer them to our good risen Jesus, so that he may raise them all up to a completely new life to work with new courage in the vineyard of the Lord. –Namur, April 21, 1813

 

WHERE ARE WE ON THE JOURNEY?

April brings us an opportunity to delve deeply into the Paschal Mystery: the heart of our faith. April 5th begins Holy Week during which Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday and Good Friday. We wait through Holy Saturday for the beginning of the Easter Vigil when we light the new fire of Easter celebrating Christ’s gift of resurrected life. We listen to the stories of the followers of Jesus trying to make sense out of their experience of the resurrection. How do we set aside our expectations and let God break into our lives in new ways, with new life in abundance? Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your reflection on these very familiar stories in a way that will allow you to experience them with renewed eyes, ears and heart.

 

LINKS FROM www.usccb.org FOR THE SUNDAYS OF APRIL

April 5, 2009 

PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION-At the Mass

(Is 50:4-7; Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24; Phil 2:6-11; Mk 14:1—15:47 or 15:1-39)

April 12, 2009

EASTER SUNDAY THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD-The Mass of Easter Day

(Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23; Col 3:1-4 or I Cor 5:6b-8; Jn 20:1-9 or Mk 16:1-7 or Lk 24:13-35)

April 19, 2009

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

(Acts 4:32-35; Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24; 1 Jn 5:1-6 ; Jn 20:19-31)

April 26, 2009

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

(Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; Ps 4:2, 4, 7-8, 9; 1 Jn 2:1-5a; Lk 24:35-48)

 

WHERE AM I ON THE JOURNEY?

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

• I pray IS 50:4-7. What word has God given me to “speak to the weary”? How do I speak it?
• I pray the words of Phil 2:6-11 being attentive to which words draw me in. I ask God to show me of what I need to be emptied so God can fill me.
• I read all of MK 14:1-15:47 in one sitting, letting the whole story speak to my heart. Which parts speak more poignantly? I spend time with God listening deeply.
• I pray Ps 118:24 asking God to show me all the reasons I have to “rejoice and be glad”.
• I pray the words of Col 3:1-4 looking deep within myself to see what it means for me to “HAVE BEEN RAISED WITH CHRIST.”
• I re-read JN 20:1-9 asking the Holy Spirit to lead me into the story. What do I feel, hear, and/or want to say? What does the Spirit stir up within me?
• I read Acts 4:32-35 again. Who make up my “community of believers”? When do I feel “of one heart and mind” with others? What other questions or ponderings does this passage lift up in my heart? I talk to God about them.
• I pray PS 118:1 letting the words repeat over and over in my heart….
• Iread JN 20:19-31 asking the Holy Spirit to lead me into the story. What do I feel, hear, and/or want to say? What does the Spirit stir up within me?
• I take time to pray LK 24:35-48 asking the Holy Spirit to lead me into the story. What do I feel, hear, and/or want to say? What does the Spirit stir up within me?
• I go back and re-read LK 24 again and reflect on the ways I recognize Jesus in the telling of the story of my life and the breaking of the bread.

 

A PRAYER FOR THE SEASON

God of peace, we are joyful in your Word, your Son Jesus Christ, who reconciles us to you. Let us hasten toward Easter with the eagerness of faith and love. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.