Jesus and Mary and Good Friday

John's Gospel is the only Gospel that speaks of Mary being at the cross when Jesus was crucified.  The beautiful song New Again by Brad Paisley and Sara Evans is a dialogue between Jesus and Mary on Good Friday.  In the song, Mary asks "God how can this be your will to have your Son and my Son killed?"  Such an honest question from a mother watching as her son is beaten, whipped, crowned with thorns and forced to carry a heavy wooden cross.  Whatever Mary knew about the events on Good Friday before they happened, whatever Jesus had prepared her for, what ever strength God had given her, she was still human and still had to live through every moment.

"Holy Mary, Mother of Creation, bless us 
that we may experience God as Love 
in praise of all creatures, in love of all of creation.
Amen."
Father Michael Adams - www.livingrosaries.org
Peace and Blessing!
Sister Pat, FMT

The Feast of the Annunciation

March 25 is the Feast of the Annunciation.  That moment when Mary said a courageous and faith-filled "Yes" to becoming the mother of the Son of God.  This year, the Feast will be celebrated on April 8 because Holy Week is this week.

Mary has usually been described as docile, obedient and submissive, much like a marionette controlled by a master puppeteer.  But that kind of thinking diminishes Mary, her free will and her courage.  Mary could have turned and run away when the stranger appeared out of nowhere with an odd greeting.  She could have said "No thank you, I already have plans for my life!"  Instead, she said "Yes!" to God's plan for her.

We all want to know and become the person God created us to be.  Unfortunately, we don't always get heavenly messengers to let us know what God's plan is.  What we do get, surely, are messages, signs, something inside us that we can't seem to let go of, that can tell us which path to follow.  Do we have the courage and faith to listen and echo Mary's unconditional "Yes"?

"Holy Mary, Mother of Creation, bless us
that we may experience God as Love
in praise of all creatures, in love of all of creation.
Amen."
Father Michael Adams - www.livingrosaries.org Peace & Blessing! Sister Pat, FMT

Pope Francis and Paul Ryan

On Saturday March 16 2013, Pope Francis told reporters: "How I would love a Church that is poor and for the poor."  On March 21 2103, The United States House of Representatives passed Paul Ryan's budget.   Last summer, a group of Roman Catholic Sisters, Nuns On The Bus, literally got on a bus and traveled to nine States to to protest the devastating effects Representative Paul Ryan's budget would have on the elderly, low-income families and those dependent on Medicare and Medicaid.   One of the reasons the Sisters were upset is because Rep. Ryan said his budget reflected Catholic social teaching.  They disagreed.

Catholic Bishops have expressed their concern about the Ryan budget  just passed by the House because of the cuts to social programs while increasing tax cuts for the rich.    Sister Marge Clark would like Pope Francis to write to Rep. Ryan.  Perhaps Pope Francis could explain to Rep. Ryan that the Jesus they follow said sell what you have and give to the poor, not keep what you have, get as much as you can and take from the poor!

"Holy Mary, Mother of Creation,
bless us that we may experience God as Love
in praise of all creatures, in love of all of creation. Amen."

Father Michael Adams - www.livingrosaries.org

Peace and Blessing!
Sister Pat, FMT

New Pope, New Name, same doctrine

Jesuits and Franciscans around the world are celebrating Pope Francis.  The first Jesuit elected Pope and the first Pope to choose the name Francis.  As someone who chose to name her Independent Catholic Order The Franciscans of Mary the Theotokos, I should be happy and celebrating, too.  But I'm not filled with joy because the former Cardinal from Argentina fought unsuccessfully against both same sex marriage and birth control.  Francis of Assisi embraced a life of poverty as has Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio.  Francis embraced the poor as has the newly elected Pope.  Francis believed that all of Creation was holy and blessed.  Only time will tell if Francis I feels the same way.  But one thing is certain, the doctrines that keep the GLBT community feeling unwelcome and wanted will likely not change.
The new Pope has been hailed as a reformer.  Perhaps he chose the name Francis because he understands that the the Roman Catholic Church is surely in need of repairing.  The question is what Church will his reforms rebuild:  the inclusive one that follows the Gospel message of Jesus Christ?  Or the exclusive on that follows the narrow-minded doctrines of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XIV?  Since he one of the group of Cardinals chosen by John Paul II and Benedict XIV to elect the Pope, he likely shares their views.

Holy Mary, Mother of Creation, bless us that we may experience God as Love in praise of all creatures, in love of all of creation. Amen.
Father Michael Adams - www.livingrosaries.org

Peace and Blessing! Sister Pat, FMT

"Seek God and God alone"

Joan Chittister wrote, in Fire In These Ashes, that the reason for entering religious life is to "seek God and God alone" and the importance of finding God where God is, not where we expect to find God.  When I read those words in 2008 in the months before making my Solemn Profession of Vows, I thought I understood the concept of seeking God where God is - in creation, in my animal companions, in the poor and in the homeless - but after rereading those words again this week, I realize that my understanding was limited.  That I still sought God where I expected God to be.   I didn't seek God in my family, friends, coworkers or customers at the restaurant or anyone else I happened to pass by in a store or on the street.  I certainly never expected to find God or even consider looking for God in those people who tested my patience - and I failed that test so often.  I never thought of seeking God in those moments when I questioned the validity of my calling, when ego and pride got the best of me, when I questioned relationships and my own self worth and value.  Yet, I know now God was there in the midst of all of it, is here and will be here.  I just didn't understand until now.

Holy Mary, Mother of Creation, bless us
that we may experience God as Love
in praise of all creatures,
in love of all of creation. Amen.
Father Michael Adams - www.livingrosaries.org
Peace and Blessings!
Sister Pat, FMT

Feast of the Assumption of Mary August 15

The Feast of the Assumption of Mary is one of the most joyful Feasts we celebrate!   However blessed and special Mary was, whether she was conceived without sin, whether she did or didn't have children, one thing is certain:  Mary was human, like us!  Her Assumption, body and soul, shows us what awaits us if we follow her example and say that "Yes" to God's will in our lives, and if we listen to her words: "Do whatever He [Jesus] tells you!"

Today I celebrate the 3rd anniversary of my profession of vows.

Holy Mary, Mother of Creation, bless us that we may experience God as Love
n praise of all creatures, in love of all of creation. Amen.
Father Michael Adams - www.livingrosaries.org Peace &
Blessings!
Sister Pat, FMT

Changes...

Joan Chittister, in her book Scarred By Struggle Transformed By Hope, writes that change is sometimes forced upon us.  I know this to be true.  On March 10, 2006, Karen, my partner, died, then 40 days later, on April 20, I had to put my oldest dog to sleep.  Losing Karen was almost unbearable.  I never realized how she changed every aspect of my life, even the most mundane parts, until she was gone.

On May 6, 2011, all 3 of my cats died.  One died at home.  I had to put the other two to sleep because they were dying.  All three had respiratory infections and antibiotics did not help.  The boys were brothers, born together and had celebrated their 18 birthdays in December.  They were too old to fight the infection.  For nearly twenty-two years there was always at least one animal at home.  Suddenly, there were none.  That was a change.

Four days after the cats died, on May 10, I had to call 911 for my Mom.  She was in respiratory distress and very hot.  She had pneumonia.  She seemed fine the previous day.  No coughing.  No difficulty breathing.   Each day, she didn't improve.  I knew this time she would not come back home.  The antibiotics did not help. By Tuesday, it was clear Mom would never be able to breathe without a ventilator.  When the medical staff removed the ventilator to see if Mom could breathe on her own, Mom was taking forty to fifty breaths a minute.  My sister and I made the difficult decision to keep her off the ventilator.  Mom was given enough morphine to keep her comfortable.  She died two days later on Thursday, May 19.

I had lived with my mother all my life.  I found myself completely alone.  No Mom and no animals.  I  also had to move within two weeks because I could not afford the rent alone.  I was beyond overwhelmed.  So many changes in such a short time...

Holy Mary, Mother of Creation, bless us
that we may experience God as Love
in praise of all creatures,
in love of all of creation. Amen.
Father Michael Adams - www.livingrosaries.org
Peace and Blessing!
Sister Pat, FMT