Electricity and Candles, by S. Sharonlu Sheridan, OSF

“When electricity first became available to farmers living in the northern parts of England, there were varied responses.  Some property owners refused to have power lines on their land.   They preferred their kerosene lamps and lanterns to all the marvelous benefits of electricity.  What intrigued me when I heard these stories, however, was the response of one elderly woman.  She used the electricity, but each month when the meter was read, the amount she owed was very small.  The local municipality installed another meter but with much the same result.  It was only later in conversation with her that the secret came out:

‘Electricity is really wonderful,’ the lady said to the municipal official, “and I use it every night. When it gets dark I switch on the light, find my matches, light my candle and then switch the lights off again.’  ~ Quote from Journey of the Spirit by Trevor Hudson with Morton Kelsey

I laugh about the naivete of the elderly woman. But perhaps I laugh too soon!  Don’t I do that same thing when I hurry to connect with God so some error can be corrected, or some need fulfilled, and then go about MY own busyness?

Prayer is like the electricity.

I come in the church or stop for a moment (flip the switch)

Use the light of scripture and sacrament

Find and connect with Jesus

Leave the church (turn off the switch)

Go about my business until the next time I need to find the light.

I think my first mistake is that I go about MY business. It is not MY business. It is God’s business, and if I only stop when I need something I am no wiser than the elderly woman who turns on the lights only to find a match, and the turns them off again.

Keep the lights on!

Peace, and Joy, and Awareness.

Sharonlu OSF
Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg
Oldenburg Franciscan Center

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Sunday Reflection, by S. Monica Zore, OSF

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Joshua 24:1-2, 15-18

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34:16-21
Second Reading: Ephes. 5:21-32

Gospel: John 6:60-69

 

Reflection

In the reading from Joshua we hear again the words “Decide today who you wish to serve.”  When the people responded they remembered all the gifts that the Lord had provided for them and proclaimed that they would serve the Lord.  I am reminded that I decide daily who I wish to serve.  As with any vow, baptismal, marriage, or religious, making a decision is not something that is done on a particular day and it is finished.  The daily living is the evidence of that decision.  Perhaps I should make a list of reasons why I have decided to serve the Lord and refer to it on a regular basis.

 

Jesus knows that a promise given is not the same as a promise lived.  The option to depart from our initial response is always before us.  That is why Jesus reminds us the “the words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life.”  We need to renew our choice and be strengthened daily.  It is too easy to be led astray by other messages which bombard us.  In addition to Jesus’ words, my list would keep me mindful of all that prompted my response.

 

Prayer

I need help in staying faithful to my decision to be your follower, Jesus.  Keep me mindful that you have spoken the words that are Spirit and life and that I need to continually return to them.  My speech and actions must show that I know you are the Holy One of God and there is no one else to whom I can go.  Daily you gift me with the opportunity to begin again to live my decision to follow.  May I use each day well.  Amen.

 

Monica Zore, OSF
Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg

Every Hair Of Your Head, by S. Sharonlu Sheridan, OSF

God loves and cares for the sparrows. God clothes the lilies of the field with such beaury even though most of them will never be seen.   God loves us so much even the hairs of our heads are numbered.

We used to tease my uncle whose head resembled the proverbial cue ball, and say, “In your case it is not a big deal.  I could do that.  Let’s see: 1, 2, 3.  Done!”

However, let’s think seriously about those words of Jesus for a moment.

Jesus doesn’t say things without their having meaning for us. So what does it mean, “The very hairs of your head are numbered”? Losing a hair is an everyday experience for most of us. We do not stop to check how many hairs are caught in our brush or comb. We simply pull them out of the bristles or teeth and toss them away. So much for one hair or two or three.

Why did Jesus make such a big thing of it by telling us that God, the great, powerful, loving Creator, knows how many hairs we have? I think it might be because he wanted to impress on us that God wants to be a part of everything in our lives, even things we barely notice.

On the refrigerator in our kitchenette, there is (among several others) a magnet that reads: God wants to be a part of every little bitty, teeny tiny, itsy bitsy part of your life. So what are the little bitty parts of your life? Make a list. That might include:

1.   brushing your teeth                   9.  fiddling with the filter
2.   washing your hands                10.  measuring the coffee grounds
3.   combing your hair                    11.  measuring the water
4.   stumbling for your slipper     12.  pouring the water
5.   trudging to the kitchen           13.  plugging in the coffee pot
6.   opening the fridge                   14.  smelling the brewing coffee
7.   taking out the butter              15.  pulling out a piece of bread
8.   grabbing a napkin                  16.  popping bread in the toaster

…and all that is before you begin your breakfast! Just think! God wants to be part of each and every action, thought, smile, frown, feeling, etc., etc., etc.

Now, it doesn’t seem possible for us to be aware of God at all those seconds. But maybe it would be a good idea to try to recognize God’s interest now and then. AND the more we do it now and then, the more often we will do it. Marvelous isn’t it!  The 16 things before breakfast are not complete, and some may be very different from our own. So, make your own list; maybe from breakfast to going to work, or doing the chores, or driving to the grocery. You get the idea.

Now we have only been discussing the little things that occur. Our task is also to see God in those things. As put so well by Pearl Bailey,

“People see God every day: They just don’t recognize Him.”

So, seek God.  God wants to be found by you.

Where will you see God next?!

Peace and Beauty be yours today and always.

Sharonlu, OSF
Oldenburg Franciscan Center
Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg

Sunday Reflection, by S. Donna Rohman, OSF

Reflection for August 19, 2012
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Proverbs 9:1-6

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34:2-7
Second Reading: Ephes. 5:15-20
Gospel: John 6:51-58

 

Reflection

As I reflected on the readings for this Sunday,  I seemed to focus on the words “be filled with…“.  In Proverbs we will be filled with wisdom; in Psalm 34 we are to be filled with joy.  The reading from Ephesians tells us to be filled with the Spirit, and in John’s Gospel Jesus reminds his apostles and us to be filled with the Bread of Life.  Can we empty ourselves enough to take in all these gifts?  Are our eyes open to see the gifts in our lives?

 

Some suggestions to help:  Proverbs: “be simple”

                                        Psalm 34: “be free of fear”

                                        Ephesians: “give thanks always”

 

Prayer

Bountiful God, help us to be open and eager to take in all the gifts you send.  Let us use the wisdom you send to make our lives happier and to share that happiness with those we meet each day.

 

Donna Rohman, OSF

A Parent’s Blessing, by S. Sharonlu Sheridan, OSF

The power of a parent’s blessing is greater than you can imagine. If it happens regularly, it becomes a great bonding tool. Let me tell you about Jack and Pete.

Jack was a slightly framed man who sold insurance for a living. He was a man of great faith who treasured his faith and his wife and three children. Jack had made it a practice to bless his children every evening as they went to bed. If his work took him from home at night, he would call and speak to each child a blessing. The words were simple: God bless you, Pete; Love and blessings, Jane, etc. Simple, but words expressed every night.

Jack and his wife were delighted when they could finally afford to buy a station wagon. The whole family admired it, but especially Pete who was 16 and had just acquired his driver’s license.

It was a busy day for Jack’s family. The younger children had after school activities. Lora, Jack’s wife, was visiting her Mother and would be home by dark. Jack had a meeting of the volunteer firefighters’ association at a restaurant three blocks from home and Pete had football practice and was the first one home.

The dark blue station wagon sparkled in the light coming in from the garage door window. Pete went out to admire it once again. That’s when the thought came to him: Why not take the car for a drive and treat his buddies for a ride? He would probably be back before Dad and Mom got home. So that’s what he did.

It was a sharp curve, and a very big tree that was Pete’s undoing. He hit the tree, his foot on the gas instead of the brake. His riders had been dropped off, and he was unhurt but the car was totaled.

News like that travels fast in a small town, and before the police got to the scene of the accident, Jack was there. Pete was standing alone, unhurt, with tears running down his face. Jack only asked if he was all right. The two of them walked home in silence.

At home, Pete went to his room and Jack stretched out on the sofa with the paper. Not too long after Pete quietly came into the living room and stood by the sofa. Jack lowered the paper and looked at his son. Pete said, “Dad, I really messed up bad. Any punishment you want to give me I deserve. But, Dad, you will still bless me tonight, please?”

The blessing of his father had such an impact on this big, strapping boy that it would be the worst punishment of all not to be blessed by his dad.

Sometimes it is not easy for a Father or Mother to say the words “God bless you.”

The earlier you begin to do so, the easier it will be to continue. However, there are always times when that phrase can be uttered. Birthdays are a good time to start it, or holidays, like Thanksgiving, or Christmas or graduation. The idea though is to say it often enough that children come to expect it.

For each of you who are reading this reflection, I say, “God bless you today and tomorrow and every day of your life.”

Peace and Joy,
S. Sharonlu, OSF
Oldenburg Franciscan Center
Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg

Sunday Reflection, by S. Mary Fliehman, OSF

Cytisus scoparius (broom tree) photo.
Source: Wikipedia Commons

First Reading: 1Kings 19:4-8
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34:2-9
Second Reading: Ephes. 4:30-52
Gospel: John 6:41-51

Reflection

What forms of life have been deeply affected by this summer’s drought?  We are very much aware of the resounding response to this question.  At this point in time, many of us may feel like joining Elijah under the sweet-smelling broom tree.  However, note the persistence of the Angel to move Elijah to get up, to eat the cake, to drink the water and to continue his journey.

What is under our broom tree when challenges, disappointments, and concerns feel like they are overwhelming us?  Elijah needed sustenance and so do we.  The words of the psalmist reveal where we need to turn.  Could we begin our turning to God by recalling those times when we experienced God providing EXACTLY what we needed to stay ALIVE?  Would we then be willing to share with family, with a friend or with our neighbor what we found under our broom tree?

Prayer

Loving God, we are almost breathless when we realize what has been placed under our broom trees.  Thank you for helping us to taste and see your goodness.  With your grace, may we continue to LOOK to YOU as the SOURCE of ALL that we humbly need in our daily living.  Amen.

Mary Fliehman, OSF
Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg

Wisdom Has Set Your Table, by S. Karla Barker, OSF

Gathering with family or friends at a meal is always a special time.  If you are someone who often eats alone, it can evoke thoughts and memories.  The thought from Scripture, “Wisdom has set your table,” gives all of us something to reflect on.

How has Wisdom set our table?  What’s the menu?

Often today we hear others say, “I’ve got enough on my plate already.”  You can be certain it’s not food!  In most cases, it’s a complaint.

Perhaps we can request from the Spirit that sets our table to bring on the bowls of laughter and humor.  Maybe silverware of good conversation and justice sharing.  Perhaps a plate full of pride that’s grateful for all the good of the day wouldn’t be half bad either.

A change of menu could mean no pounds, but certainly a lighter and happier heart.

Blessings,

S. Karla Barker, OSF
Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, IN

Flying Flowers & Tethered Butterflies, by S. Sharonlu Sheridan OSF

The butterfly is a flying flower.

The flower is a tethered butterfly.  ~Ponce Denis

It surprises us most of the time, the colorful butterfly that dances around. As children, we probably chased after it, but the beautiful insect soon eluded us. Perhaps now, as adults, we stand still and savor the beauty of these “flying flowers.”  It is there and then it is gone. However, we talk about it and bring it to mind now and then.  It is a thing of beauty passing through that touches the gentle side of us.

The lovely black-eyed-Susan does not fly away from us.  If we planted the seeds for this flower, we probably have been waiting for it to bloom.  When it does, the bright friendly flower stays with us.  Its life is shorter than that of the butterfly, but the time the flower is with us is longer.  We may not think of the tethered butterfly as often as we do the flying flower, but both serve a purpose.

Some things in our lives flit by leaving a little memory, a little glimpse of God.  Other things are there, just there.  They can be reminders of the Creator if we just call to mind that everything is a gift from God.

Sometimes people come into our lives for a few minutes, or we read what they have written and feel a connection to that person.  That is a butterfly effect.  Others are there always, supporting us, honoring us, praying with and for us, and that is the Black-eyed-Susan effect.  We often do not remember them in the same way we do that person we have never met.  We need them both.  What I must recognize is that the people who support me all the time, ought to be acknowledged as often as I quote or admire those who influence me by written or spoken word.

Peace and Joy,

Sharonlu, OSF
Oldenburg Franciscan Center
Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg

Sunday Reflection, by S. Rose Marie Weckenmann, OSF

Reflection for August 5, 2012

 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Exodus  16:2-4, 12-15
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 78:3-4, 23-25, 54
Second Reading: Ephesians 4: 17, 20-24
Gospel: John 6:24-35

Reflection

We hear in today’s Gospel that Jesus is the bread of life which means He is essential for life. Jesus is present in our midst to nourish and sustain us on the journey. What hunger does the Bread of Life satisfy in me? Am I content to discover and welcome even the simplest gifts which come to me?

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Prayer

Gracious God, You provide in Jesus a sign of Your love and presence. Help us to be grateful for the many ways in which You grace us daily. Satisfy the hunger of our hearts which yearn for You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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S. Rose Marie Weckenmann, OSF

Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, IN