This nursing lamb surely knows the sound of his mother’s call, as he does the shepherd’s voice.
In Thursday’s Gospel reading from Luke 11, Jesus tells the Pharisees, “Woe to you!” because they led people in the wrong direction. The Gospel Acclamation prior to this reading is:
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.”
– John 10:27
May we recognize the voice of truth when we hear it.
Someday, after we have mastered the winds, the waves, the tides and gravity, we shall harness for God the energies of love. Then for the second time in the history of the world, we will have discovered fire.”
Today is the Feast of St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582). She was a Doctor of the Church, also a mystic and writer – and truly a practical, down-to-earth woman who saw into the heart of God, and truly made a difference in her world. Teresa reformed the Carmelite Order during the very difficult pass in the Catholic Church of the Spanish Inquisition.
Through it all, she kept her marvelous sense of humor. Once, after being thrown from a carriage into the mud, she said to God, “If this is how you treat your friends, it’s no wonder you have so few of them.” She was serious about her spiritual practices and being observant to, what we would call, strict religious practices. Nonetheless, she enjoyed life to the fullest, and encouraged her sisters to do the same. One wonderful story tells how Teresa danced on the table during recreation!
We put a lot of importance in ethereal things like status and material things like money. But it’s not about what we have or where we’re from. It’s how we live our lives. In Saturday’s Gospel reading from the 11th chapter of Luke, we read:
While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”
How shall we then live? Sculpture found at the UN Building in New York
Whoever does not see God in every place does not see God in any place.”
– Rabbi Elimelech
Turkey vulture at Bolinas Lagoon
Most of us would not identify this fellow as one of our favorite birds. Nonetheless he provides a necessary service to us and the creatures with whom we share this planet. Let us pay attention and find God here, too!
I am learning that blogging creates a whole new community – a community of bloggers who share your desire to share reflections, photos, art, and poetry. Unlike most of my friends on FaceBook, these friends are people that I’ve never met. Nonetheless, when I visit their blogs, I find we have much in common, especially those with whom I share a love of photography and hiking. So at the encouragement of my friend ClanMother, I am accepting a nomination for The Sunshine Award, and will be nominating others.
We’ll see where it leads . . .
The rules that go along with this nomination include:
1) Linking back to the person who nominated you: ClanMother
2) Post the award image to your page.
3) Tell seven facts about yourself.
I am a Dominican Sister who lives in San Rafael, California.
We Dominicans are part of the Order of Preachers. I am a preacher, and find many ways to express this. St. Francis once said, “Preach always; when necessary, use words.”
I do what is called “vocation ministry.” That means I walk with women (and sometimes men) who are discerning their call in life, especially as it pertains to possibly becoming a sister, brother, or priest.
I enjoy hiking, but don’t have enough weekends to do much of it, but I do walk every morning and workout at the gym three times a week.
I play the guitar, mostly for congregational (for the sisters) liturgies.
I play at playing the banjo.
I love photography and have great fun using PhotoShop!
4) Nominate 5 – 10 other bloggers.
The following are some of the blogs to which I subscribe, and enjoy reading.
Rachel Held Evans writes some refreshing perspectives about faith and scripture from a feminist perspective. I enjoy reading her reflections and seeing how she wrestles with the questions, rather than simply accepting what is taught from the perspective of the status quo.
A Nun’s Life is a blog by a sister ( a friend) in Monroe, MI. She raises wonderful questions, dispels myths, and promotes religious life (and not just her own congregation!) with great enthusiasm.
Canadian Hiking Photography has wonderful photographs! I’ve never been to Canada, but these pictures makes me want to hike the great mountains of Canada. I suspect I’m not up to the cold, however! 😉
Leanne Cole’s Photography Field Trips site has wonderful photos, and gives some good post-processing tips, showing her before and afters. If she didn’t live down under, I’d seriously consider one of her field trips.
Calee Photography gets in touch with the beauty of creation up-close-and-personal with her photography.
And, to all who come by here at OPreach, thanks for reading, for liking, and for following!
The sun rises every morning. Yes, some stories are worth telling again and again.
In San Francisco, the day dawns upon us from on high.
Thursday’s Responsorial Psalm is the Canticle of Zechariah (also known as the Benedictus – a blessing). We pray this every day as part of our Morning Prayer or Lauds. We hear this canticle again during the season of Advent as we retell the story of the coming of Christ.
Some stories are simply worth telling again and again!
Blessed are you, God of Israel, for You have visited and redeemed Your people, And have raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of Your servant.
As You spoke through the mouths of Your holy prophets from of old, That we should saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who oppress us;
To perform the mercy to our ancestors, and to remember the holy covenant,
The oath he swore to Abraham and Sarah, to grant us deliverance from evil, That we might serve you without fear In holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives.
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High, For you will go before the Holy One to prepare God’s ways.
To give knowledge of salvation to God’s people In the forgiveness of their sins.
Through the tender mercy of our God When the day shall dawn upon us from on high
To give light to those who sit in darkness And in the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.
This particular version of the Canticle of Zechariah, written in inclusive language, is found in the People’s Companion to the Breviary, published by the Carmelites of Indianapolis. This beloved prayer has been “translated” into many versions, been put to music, and has been sung and chanted throughout the history of the church. We continue to love to tell the story.
I am learning that blogging creates a whole new community – a community of bloggers who share your desire to share reflections, photos, art, and poetry. Unlike most of my friends on FaceBook, these friends are people that I’ve never met. Nonetheless, when I visit their blogs, I find we have much in common, especially those with whom I share a love of photography and hiking. So at the encouragement of my friend ClanMother, I am accepting a nomination for The Sunshine Award, and will be nominating others.
OPreach 