I picked up the empty eggshell still in wonder at the marvelous hue. It was as if a treasure dropped at my feet. There was no evidence in the tree branch a yard away that there was a nest there. Where had it come from?

I brought the half shell into my office and placed it on my desk. There it sat for ten days. Visitors asked about it and I knew I would be telling you, my friends, through this Reflection.

One such visitor asked me if I knew why the shell seemed so far out of place from any nest. I did not, so I asked for an explanation. The mother bird knows that the eggshell has remnants of her nestling in it and that could attract predators. She takes the empty shell flies a good distance from the nest and drops it.

We might learn to take the tempting temptation before us, and figuratively at least, drop it away from our consciousness.

I kept wondering about the color. I knew that ground birds like the plover lay spotted eggs to camouflage them like the sandy ground where the birds make their the nests. Orioles and other birds that lay light color eggs hide them in clefts or deep nests. In this way, they are less prominent to predators. However, I could not find a reason for the lovely blue of the robin’s eggs. Wikipedia gave me interesting facts about the color of several birds’ eggs, but admitted that scientists cannot determine why the robin’s eggs are blue.

I think I have the reason. It was to give people like us a picture of beauty where it is not necessary.  Here I was on a concrete walk, and there before me was a tiny object of such beauty that I had to stop and admire, wonder and even take it into my office. If the sweet blue of that egg does nothing more than lift my senses, it is worth every moment of its short existence.

We might remember that any act of beauty we perform need not be in place and time that will find it noticed and admired. Anywhere is a good place to do something beautiful for God, to quote Mother Teresa.

Smiles are beautiful and are needed by the persons who seem less deserving. Every person deserves beautiful smile: old or young, rich or poor, clean or dirty, holy or sinful, gracious or rude, pleasant or tiresome. And smiles cost no money, only  a moment of time.

Perhaps it does not seem like an apt comparison, but you might try to be like the beautiful broken shell that drew a smile from me, just by being.

Peace,Sharonlu OSF

First Reading: Acts 1:1-11
Second Reading: Eph 1: 17-23
Gospel: Lk 24:46-53

Reflection
As we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus into heaven we are reminded that we are not left alone. The Holy Spirit is promised to come upon us to strengthen us, to give us wisdom, insight and understanding. In the recent election of Pope Francis, I believe we witnessed the Holy Spirit’s presence very tangibly.

In our reading from Acts for the Ascension, we hear how Jesus presented himself to the early Christians during the forty days after his Resurrection, assuring them of the kingdom and asking them, and us, to be witnesses to the truth of everlasting life. In St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians we heard the prayer “may the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory, and what is his inheritance among the holy ones…”

We are to be witnesses to the good news; we all are called to live the Gospel, to allow the power of the Holy Spirit to be at work in us. We are to be Christ’s presence on Earth, to live simply, to act justly, to love tenderly all of creation. In and through Pope Francis we are invited to care for the lowly, the poor, to be persons of peace, to respect the environment and to walk side by side, being Christ in our world and in the universe. We are blessed by Christ as we remember his ascension into heaven–we are his manifestation of love and compassion in our world.

Prayer
O God, we thank you for making us your Image and Likeness. We thank you for calling us to be your Presence of goodness, love and compassion in our world, our universe. We thank you for Pope Francis who lives your Gospel and leads us. Amen.

Bernice Stenger, OSF
Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg

        Wind comes in all shapes and sizes: the sweet breeze on a summer night, the frolicking breeze on the grasses of the plains, the salty spray in the breeze of the ocean. Today the wind came like a giant lion’s roar, as it pushed the puffy clouds together and made them hide the sun. Just as quickly as it came it subsided, only to gain strength to push once more against all that came in its way.

I love the wind. It is so spontaneous. Too often we think of wind as destructive. Cyclones, tornadoes, gales do indeed bring havoc, but the wind of the spring rains and the power in the spring windy thunderstorms are just what Mother Earth needs. Crops use their lesser powers of resistance to try to withstand the wind’s greater strength, and in doing so strengthen their own.

Just feeling the wind in my face seems to free me from any heaviness I am holding. Today the wind blew me and my cart more quickly to work. I am aware that in the Old Testament the prophet said that in seeking God you would not find God in the raging gale or the blustering wind or even in the sweeping wind. Only in the gentle breeze will God be found. It is true. If you want to commune with God it will be with a gentle breeze.

However if you want to contemplate the power of God, the overpowering force of the almighty, the heavy winds are a good place to start. We have seen the power of a tornado, a cyclone, and a hurricane. We know that wind can move almost anything. Jesus used a gentle breeze from his mouth to imbue the apostles with strength and determination. That same Spirit breathed into us at Baptism will whip into a fine wind as at Pentecost, and strengthen us, too. We must be aware of the Spirit’s presence. A mighty wind ruffling all around us and our own clothing and hair, can be as good a reminder as any. Whenever the wind is blowing hard, think not so much of your hair or papers or flapping jacket. Let the Spirit who comes in the wind fill you with strength and joy.

Peace and overwhelming joy,

Sharonlu, OSF
Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg

Reflection

In the gospel Jesus gives us the key to life, “Peace I leave with you.” Later he reassures us, “Do not let your heart be troubled or afraid.” The peace about which Jesus speaks is not the peace at which nations try to arrive. Jesus offers to us peace of heart which comes when Jesus becomes the center of our life and values.

In what ways do I enable Jesus to be present in my heart and my decisions? The strength of the early Church members came with the arrival of the Spirit in their individual hearts. Do I trust the leading of the same Spirit, which I received both in Baptism and Confirmation?

Prayer

Spirit of God, come into my life to be the center and the strength of all that I do. Give me wisdom to live my life as you would have me to do. Amen.

Therese Tackett, OSF

Reflection

In looking at the readings for today’s liturgy, I am struck by their beauty and simplicity. The reading of those words themselves would serve for more than sufficient reflection.

In the reading from Acts, we witness the glorious return of Paul and Barnabas to their home community in Athens. Their missionary journey to a number of places beyond yielded what sounds like success. They were commended for the work they had accomplished. “They related all that God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith for the Gentiles.”

Could we, on this first Sunday of Easter, sit back and reflect on the times we have touched the lives of people and allowed God to open the door of faith for someone? Perhaps it was a child, a spouse, a grandchild, a stranger or a friend.

In Revelations, John proclaims a new heaven and a new earth. He describes the voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among humans. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his people, and God Himself will be with them…” He continues with the words, “Behold, I make all things new.” What is the NEW that you are seeing God make? What NEW would you like to see God make? How can you help?

Today’s Gospel takes us back to the Last Supper–that intimate meal with Jesus. Again, we hear Jesus’ oft repeated words, “Love one another as I have loved you. This is how all will know that you are my disciples…” As we reflect on the above words of Scripture, may we experience the love God has for each of us.

Prayer

Graciously be present to your people, we pray, O God, and lead all of us to pass from former ways to newness of life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Joan Claldwell, Associate
Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg

One child on vacation from a jungle-type environment wrote back to her mother that America had the most beautiful flowers, and the best were the bright sun-like yellow flowers everyone had in their yards! My father would have agreed with the youngster.  “Nothing is prettier than a field of dandelions,” he would say when Mom asked his help in digging them out of the front lawn. And Mother would answer, “My yard is not a field. Keep your dandelions in your field, but keep them out of my yard.”

Yesterday, as I left the grocers by a different road, I came upon a rather small triangular plot of ground. In the center of the plot was a small but brilliant red fire plug. The dandelions in that plot of ground were given free access to as much of the land as they wanted and they had really taken over. It was almost as if they were trying to out-do the bright color of the fireplug. It occurred to me that the purpose of that fireplug was two-fold. First, it was to put out a fire, and second to be readily accessible when needed. It was limited in that it human hands needed to activate the power it held. Its usefulness was to be able to be available in an emergency. Perhaps when the weather was extremely hot the street children might be given a wonderful playground of splashing water.

The dandelions, however, seemed to have no purpose except to be bright and beautiful. No purpose! What could be more important to a dandelion than to do exactly what God had destined for it! And we humans were not needed for that.  They give glory to God by being, and just try to stop them from doing that. It is almost an impossible task.

Well, what are we? Are we fireplugs, waiting for someone to release the power we have? On the other hand, are we dandelions, doing what God has destined for us, and not relying on someone else to release our hidden powers?

I believe we are dandelions at times, and fireplugs at another. With God’s help, we can strengthen our “dandelion” selves so we do not need to lean too much on others to set the wonders inside us free.

Peace and Strength,

Sharonlu OSF
Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg

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Spring Beauties, Source: WikiCommons, Public domain

They’re here, they’re there, they’re everywhere.  Those lovely, tiny wildflowers in our lawns, on the hillsides everywhere, pop up as soon as a bit of warmth comes to the earth after the cold dark days of winter. We scarcely notice them they are so small. Their five white petals have delicate lavender stripes that radiate out from the core of tiny green sepals and pale yellow pollen catchers.

In clusters, these shy little flowers almost look like snow left over from the winter. As I pass by in my scooter, I stop just to be amazed at how much detail is involved here and how inexhaustible is God’s care of this lovely world we have been inhabiting. The Spring Beauties pop up even though no one has planted them or cared for them. Soon the mowers will come and they will be swallowed up like mulch. But they will have made their mark.

During the early spring, weather changes very often. Spring tries to come and at the same time, the winter fights to stay. When I first saw this year’s spring beauties, the very warm weather caused a huge number on our lawns.  Two days later the temperature dropped and the heads of these little treasures closed and dropped like a nodding baby’s. I was so concerned that they were finished for the season because of the cold weather.  But three days later , they were upright and proudly holding court for anyone who wanted to see.

So, what do they have to say to us?  The fact that they came without pomp and circumstance, and seemingly had no audience, should help us when we think no one notices what we are doing.  Or perhaps , no one cares.  The beauties do the job they were created for, and we can do no more.  Recognition is lovely, but not needed.

Notice also that these sweet sisters of ours folded up their heads during the tough cold.  That folding up helps to insulate us from what is hurting us.  When things are hard for us, folding up our disappointments and using the protection of prayer and service, we can emerge to do what we were created to do.

Spring is so lovely.  So many things can speak to us of the wonderful gifts of God.  I like little things.  You may like grandeur.  If so try the trees.  Watch them come back from death to life!

Peace and joy as the world comes alive again!

Sharonlu, OSF
Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg

Pictures of Pope Francis in the media show him embracing handicapped persons, washing the feet of inmates, kissing the feet of babies after Baptism, removing his skullcap when the wind threatened to whisk it away. These are not what we have come to associate with the papacy. And I wonder, “Why not?” What kept this following of the poor and humble Jesus hidden in the papacy?

As one woman put it, “He has made history in just three days!” And what a history he is unfolding. I can hardly wait to follow him when he opens again the documents of Vatican II and puts the spin of Franciscanism on them.

I believe that this man of Italian heritage and born in Argentina will capture the entire world with his humility, genuine love of humanity, and determination to bypass the trappings of richness. We will see nothing in him that puts him above us. He still rides the bus, pays his own way, and carries his own luggage.

I have been a vowed Franciscan for more than 60 years, and fell in love with Francis at about age seven. My goal then was to be a person like St. Francis. I see Pope Francis, and I am aware of how far I am from following the poor man of Assisi, and ultimately the poor Jesus.

I hope to rectify that as I watch the successor of St. Peter putting me to shame.  If we let him, Pope Francis will be able to bring about a true reform in the church and in me.

Peace, Joy, and Everything Good,

Sharonlu, OSF
Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg

Artwork by Duccio, Public Domain, Source: Wikicommons

Reflection for April 14, 2013
Third Sunday of Easter