Isaiah 49:1-6; John 13:21-33, 36-38
The early days of Holy Week are such a combination of anticipation and fearfulness of what is to come. We’ve had the weeks of Lent to prepare and we’re ready for Easter, yet we’re not. I’ve tried to live up to my Lenten resolutions – on some days with more enthusiasm than others. Today’s reading from Isaiah reminds me that God knows of my struggles: “Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength. Yet my reward is with the Lord, my recompense with God.” The beautiful words and images in that reading help me feel protected and loved, help to reduce my own fearfulness at falling short.
Isaiah 42:1-7; John 12:1-11
What an interesting dinner party! We have Lazarus, who had recently died and was resurrected by Jesus. There is Martha, his sister, who had been given the opportunity to define what was really important by Jesus. Then comes Mary, another sister, who all along had particular devotion toward Jesus and insight into his ministry and purpose. Simon is there, who had been healed of leprosy by Jesus. The disciples were present, still not having a clue what was about to happen to Jesus. And among them was Judas, already in the midst of betraying Jesus, setting him up for arrest and crucifixion. Jesus must have looked around the room in amazement at the group that was surrounding him---so many pieces of an unbelievable puzzle that had not yet fully come together.
On March 25, the new Provincial Council of the Polish Province took office. The newly elected Provincial Council consists of:
S.M. Iwona Nadziejko SAC, Provincial Superior
S.M. Magdalena Szymczak SAC, vicar
S.M. Nikodema Czarnul SAC, councilor
S.M. Jolanta Groszczyk SAC, councilor
S.M. Blanka Sławińska SAC, councilor
Sr. M. Vera Altemeier SAC
20.12.1929 – 10.03.2021
Full of gratitude we return to God's good hands our dear fellow Sister who committed her life to the missionary service of South Africa.
Ezekiel 37:21-28; John 11:45-56
On the cusp of Holy Week, today’s readings give us some hint of what the new creation, which we’ll celebrate at the Easter Vigil, actually looks like. We will be one. In the readings from Ezekiel and the psalm from Jeremiah, we hear God promising to gather the scattered remnants of Israel, and in the Gospel, John, interpreting the high priest’s comments, sees Jesus gathering “into one the dispersed children of God”. In both readings it is God who acts. Plainly we can’t do it ourselves. Humans divide. It is God who unifies. What we need to hear and understand is that unity is what God wants. Though we can’t do it ourselves, we certainly can impede it, and we desperately need to understand how doing that would be completely contrary to God’s will.
Jeremiah 20:10-13; John 10: 31-42
Remember the old cliché, “Talk’s cheap”? Perhaps you quoted it to someone you knew. It’s been quoted to me more than once. It seems in today’s Gospel it is the approach that the Pharisees are using in trying to discredit Jesus who has told them that he is the Son of God.
Isaiah 7:10-14; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38
Lent is a great season of grace; a great season of faith. Today’s readings, on this Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord, speak to us of grace and of faith. Mary was graced by God’s spirit and as such participated in the life of God. Grace for each of us is “favor,” the free and underserved help that God gives to us as we respond to God’s call to become children of God and partakers of eternal life. Grace hovers throughout this reflection, as grace hovers throughout your life experiences.
2. PALLOTTINE SISTER – VOCATION AND IDENTITY
Patroness of the month - Mary, Mother of Beautiful Love, pray for us
Consecration completely embraces the identity of the called person. It embraces, penetrates and transforms. Sometimes slowly and gradually, sometimes abruptly and quickly. Like the Spirit that descended on Mary. She was the first consecrated. As if in the blink of an eye, She became aware of Her new identity and new calling. A miracle of grace and mercy! To be with Jesus, to follow Him, to love and live.
Intention of the month
Let us pray for the Holy Church, extended to the whole world – may it persevere with unshakable faith by confessing the Name of the Lord.
2. LACK OF…
"And when the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus says to Him: "They have no more wine." - Let us try to read Jesus´ answer the following way: "Is this my business or yours, woman? Has my hour not yet come?"
Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; John 8:31-42
Today’s scriptures are an incredible contrast in how people accept God’s guidance and do His will. From Daniel, the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (you gotta love those names). A story of incredible faith in the face of certain death. Three men whose love for God gives them the resolve to face the wrath of King Nebuchadnezzar (another great name). Even the king marvels that these men would rather die than worship another god. And in the Gospel of John, the story of proud, stiff-necked Jews who refuse to listen, let alone believe, when the Son of God stands in front of them. Jesus tries to advise and guide them, but they are so focused on themselves as descendants of Abraham that they refuse to see. I wonder where I am between these two groups.
Numbers 21:4-9; John 8:21-30
Today's readings show us as the Cranky People of God. In the first reading from Numbers, the Israelites are being led to safety and salvation, out of exile in Egypt and toward their homeland. The journey is long and frustrating. Their complaint? “We are disgusted with this wretched food!” Perhaps a little more gratitude would have been in order. But the Numbers reading reveals a wonderful story of healing. The people are being plagued by serpents who bite “and many of them died.” When Moses prays for the people, God tells him make an image of a serpent and mount it on a pole. Anyone who looked up at it would be healed. All they had to do was gaze upon it, to trust in God and they would be healed.
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Meditations
* Our Way of Life *
"Our diverse talents and abilities, our differences in culture, nationality and age are assets for the richness of the community. Although we may be engaged in a variety of ministries, we all share the common call to apostolic discipleship in a community of the Catholic Apostolate of St. Vincent Pallotti."(OWL, 91)
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"Christ, the Apostle of the Eternal Father, and his mission are central to our personal and community life, giving meaning and direction to our thinking, our spirituality, our prayer, action and suffering." (OWL, 19)
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"As a community of disciples we are gathered around Jesus, the Apostle of the Eternal Father. Like the first disciples, we want to be with Jesus, be sent out by him and return to him to evaluate our service in the light of his presence." (OWL, 88)
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"As Pallottines, it is our special charism to foster growth in faith and love among the laity, to awaken them to awareness of their apostolic call, and to cooperate with them in furthering the apostolic mission." (OWL, 21)
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"Our relationships with one another should be marked by a love that bears all, believes all and hopes for all, a love that is neither conceited nor jealous, which hurts no one, nor is embittered or resentful. It is never discouraged but remains patient and kind. It rejoices with others and shares their suffering. It is with this kind of love that we should help and support one another." (OWL, 90)