communitas et caritas

Sometimes liturgical calendars get confusing. Take today, for instance. I'm in Michigan for a conference (the world's largest gathering of medievalists...but that's a story for another blog). Today, this diocese is celebrating the Ascension of Jesus to the Father. However, I live in St. Louis, which will celebrate that feast on Sunday, and I'll be back home by then. So, do I celebrate the Ascension twice??? My answer: no. Today I'll celebrate the "in a little while." As in, "in a little while" Jesus will ascend to the Father; in a little while, the Spirit will come upon the disciples. Please wait, he tells us in today's Gospel. I listened to the Jesuit "pray as you go" podcast for today, and they point out that in today's Gospel (the one for those not celebrating the Ascension), the phrase "in a little while" is repeated seven times. Seven times! We are supposed to wait, to be patient. And Jesus knows ...

I have always loved Catherine of Siena, and now that I teach at a Dominican institution, she takes on special meaning. For me, the attraction has long been her reform-minded approach to church politics (along with her gutsy involvement in them!) and her spirituality firmly rooted in God's love. I nearly always include a bit of her writing in teaching church history. Here is one of many quotations that I love: ​​“In this mortal life, so long as you are pilgrims, I have bound you with the chain of charity. Whether you want it or not, you are so bound. If you should break loose by not wanting to live in charity for your neighbors, you will still be bound by it by force. Thus, that you may practice charity in action and in will, I in my providence did not give to any one person or to each individually the knowledge for doing everything necessary for human life. No, I gave something to one, something else to another, so that each one’s need would be a reason to have recourse to t...

Christ is Risen!  Alleluia! I've been singing this song all morning:  (I don't see the point of the images in the video, so scroll down if you want something more relevant!) This is a detail from one of the windows at Boston College's Newton Campus Chapel. Happy Easter!   May this season be filled with joyful celebration and the love of family and friends! Christ is Risen!  Amen! Alleluia!

Tonight, we celebrate Holy Thursday--the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of his followers. I was invited to have my feet washed at the service in our parish, and then to wash the feet of three others.  So, there I was, front and center on the raised platform right in front of the altar, with two men, one on each side.  I felt a teensy bit inconspicuous.  And a bit more, I felt nervous.  But it was really lovely.  The three I was asked to wash were a child in second grade, and a husband and wife (probably around age 30).  My church spreads out the washing, so that we are all over, in all the aisles.  It's a nice way to bring the ritual close to everyone. I was struck by the memories brought out by the experience.  A year ago today, I was washing the feet of homeless men and women at an ecumenical event in my neighborhood in Southern California--a world away it seems.  You know, the feet I saw that day were worn, calloused, truly...

An interesting (and very Catholic) thing happened last week:  the relics of St. Mary Magdalene visited this city, and I was invited to preach for a Vespers service in their presence.  So, I offer here the reading from that service and my preaching for the occasion. Maybe it's not such a detour from Holy Week after all:  Mary Magdalene is certainly present in the events of this week, and her friendship with Jesus is highlighted both at the foot of the cross and at the empty tomb.   That's me, with MM's tibia in the gold and glass box. Romans 8:28-31, 35a, 38-39   (NABRE) We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.   For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many.   And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified. What t...

I'm preparing a little presentation on Janet Erskine Stuart, RSCJ, the sixth Superior General of the Society of the Sacred Heart.  I just came across this lovely quotation from her first circular letter as Superior General, written in 1911:  "May God give to each a heart as clear as a diamond, too noble, too pure to let itself be disturbed by petty misunderstandings, little prejudices, mean and unworthy thoughts." Let it be so!

I just had a call from a sister far away, and she was asking me to reflect on community life with her... Out of that call, I am inspired to write this little post on Gratitude. I am grateful for "this little Society" (which our foundress often called it), for the love my sisters offer freely and generously, for being valued as a unique woman with unique gifts and unique needs, for being challenged to grow into my best self..for so much, I find my heart swelling with gratitude today. So, thank you, sister of the morning call, and sisters who bring so much life and love to me. Ah!  The glory of God, present to me on this Lenten Monday.