A few years before she died, my sister Judy became a great fan of the Oprah Winfrey Show. She taped episodes during the week and then watched them on weekends. One episode in particular caught her attention and she followed the recommendation to start an “I am Grateful” journal. The expectation was that every day she would write down the ten things she was grateful for that day. Continue reading →
The holidays are beginning to creep into our lives with television ads and decorations. Thanksgiving Day is next week, so I thought you might like to begin the Holiday Season with some sage advice from one of my favorite authors, Joyce Rupp, OSM. Pick one gratitude and practice it for a while and see if your holidays are more peaceful, calmer and less stressed. Continue reading →
Every so often, I really bristle at a Gospel story or saying. And I admit it – reading the story Jesus told in yesterday’s gospel raise a few porcupine quills. Here is this unfeeling master not inviting the tired slave/servant to rest after a hard day in the field but instead expecting more labor. Get my meal on the table. No concern, no thanks. This was the contract. But as I read the story, the master became God, who not only demands our service, but takes it for granted. Jesus seems to approve, and adding insult to injustice, tells his disciples that their response to their call is, “We are only unprofitable servants.” Frankly, I’ve put too much time and effort into living my vocation to settle for that. And that brought this story to mind. Continue reading →
Last spring on my way to our Senior Prom, a pigeon pooped on my head. It landed right at the hairline on my forehead. After a few minutes of stunned disbelief, reality kicked in and I had to decide whether to return to the convent to clean up or continue to the Prom. As the principal of the school hosting the Prom, I had to decide if this unfortunate event would stop me from enjoying the best part of the evening – introductions of the dates. Fortunately the dropping was easy to clean off so it didn’t stop me from getting to the prom on time. Continue reading →
Did you have a chance to pray with the readings for today? Even if you can’t get to Mass every day, the readings are online and sometimes will include reflections. Check out www.usccb.org or www.word.op.org or www.catholic.org just to give you a couple of ideas. Continue reading →