Called to BE Providence

Do you think you worry about earthly things more than you should? Jesus says that we should trust God to care for us. How convinced are you?

Recently, my community, the Sisters of Divine Providence gathered to reflect on what we are experiencing as the call to be Providence. Sister Marie McCarthy provided some wonderful reflection pieces for us.

What does it mean to name God Providence? God provides everything we need. We love that about God. AND the mystery of Providence is even larger and more profound than this, because the mystery of Providence is incomplete without our response. Sister Marie tells us that

Providence, the Energy of Love, is the mystery of the ongoing, enduring interrelationship between the God who makes all things possible and us creatures, handiwork of the creative activity of Love—creatures made in the very image and likeness of Holy Mystery, creatures who are themselves creative.

Each of us then, by virtue of the relationship we have with God, has the ability, the choice to continue God’s Providence by becoming involved in creating new possibilities, new connections to all of life.  Sister Marie says:

The call to be Providence in our world is a call to engage actively in bringing about the transformation of the world….To be Providence is to trust, not in the false treasures of material possessions, better arms, and fleeting securities, but in the foolhardiness of casting aside these concerns for the sake of building a genuine human community, founded in justice and relying on Providence.

To be Providence is to find one’s treasure in that community of people who give themselves to radical hope. That hope, she says, is “a thoroughly engaged and courageous hope which faces the overwhelming evils and possibilities for destruction which surround us and yet persistently plans for, hopes in, and builds towards that future which God desires.”

We discover what God desires for us, what God provides as new opportunities to serve our brothers and sisters when we gather as a community of radical hope and we search for ways to be Providence for our world. See you on Sunday to explore together!

Holiness is About All of Our Relationships

What do “holiness” and “love of enemies” have in common? How should we respond to injury within the community? How do you imagine yourself being holy? Knowing that your body is a temple of the Lord, and therefore holy, what might you change in your behavior? If we all “loved our neighbors as ourselves” do you think there would be wars, trafficking of human persons, pornography, prisons, hunger, executions and poverty?

Wow! These readings are filled with images that are “different” from what we probably expect. Are you, like me, thinking “Do you really mean that, Jesus?” It’s just too hard to do this “love your enemies” thing!

Jesus spent his entire life on earth trying to teach us what it means to do the will of the Father, to be perfect as his heavenly Father and to trust that we have been given all that it takes to “love our neighbors as ourselves.” Jesus asked his disciples, and us, to think differently, live differently, love differently and talk differently. If we claim to be disciples of Jesus, then we too must “be holy.” Holiness is about all of our relationships, not just our relationship with God. It includes our relationships with others, even our enemies. It includes our relationships—our action and in-action—regarding so many of the things we pray for daily. We are called to ACT. And it also includes our relationship to ourselves, to our bodies which are temples of God and therefore holy.

Turn our hearts around, we pray. Help us to see, understand, love and act differently! Help us to be holy!

Jesus Asks for More

Our readings for this weekend present us with numerous choices. Jesus uses the phrasing, “You have heard that it was said….But I say to you” to teach his listeners about the underlying authority of his words. Those who hear his Word are challenged to live fully by living in the deep spirit of the Law, not merely according to its literal meaning. For example, the commandment “Do not kill” means much more than physical killing. Jesus asks for more.  Do not let anger, jealousy, retribution or anything that leads to killing in your hearts be a part of your life. Make amends. Reconcile with others. “Do not commit adultery” also asks us to be faithful in our hearts, to try to work things out, not give up, respect self and others and not objectify anyone. This mandate provides a critical insight into his entire mission. Jesus asks more of us.

The choices between life and death, good and evil, right and wrong and giving good examples or leading others astray might seem easy to us. But most of us know through lived experience that life gets messy and complicated. The wise person chooses the positive option, but we are always free to choose either. This is where we need wisdom. This is where we ask Jesus to help us turn all of our law-keeping into love and to co-create with God a world where justice, love and compassion are our choices. What life choices remind you of the challenge of being a disciple?

Isaiah’s instructions from the Lord have come to be known as the Corporal Works of Mercy. In many ways, they are akin to the Beatitudes. Good actions on behalf of others lead to blessings from the Lord. Doing the will of the Lord is like the light of the dawn, bringing forth a new day of grace and justice. Today we pray these words from Anne Osdieck: “We want to share our bread with the hungry; we want to shelter the homeless and help the immigrant. Show us how. Show us how to clothe the naked, free those who are prisoners. Teach us to give, a little at first, then all we have.”

Catholic social teaching tells us that charity (the Corporal Works of Mercy) must be followed by solidarity. We give bread to those in need (Mobile Loaves and Fishes and St. Vincent de Paul), but the next step is entering into relationship with those who are hungry. When we relate to those who are hungry, those who live on the margins, we become the “light of the world.” Pope Paul VI told world leaders that peace is rooted in “sincere feelings” for those In need, for those who have hunger for many other things in life, not only food. Many of the hungers we encounter are those for peace and justice.

As we move out of our comfort zones to spend time with those who are different from us, Pope Francis encourages us to rejoice in their presence; he urges us to spend time in their company and to communicate with them. We can be both salt and light. Salt transforms the blandest food; light is precious in any kind of darkness. Jesus says:  “You are the salt, you are the light.” That is the nature of discipleship.

We want to share. Show us how! Teach us to give, a little at first, then all we have.