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Dominican Preaching through Word and Image
God Loves all without Exception
I read a wonderful quote from Anne Lamott that I thought was worth sharing.
You can safely assume you’ve created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.
This advice on the back of a t-shirt would be good for all of us to follow.
Open a New Window, Open a New Door
There are so many instances in the Scriptures where we see someone being called by God. Today’s Gospel reading gives us another one of those instances. Today Jesus calls Simon, Andrew, James, and John. And, truly, God calls each of us today and every day to follow.
I like the way Auntie Mame expresses it in the musical “Mame”. She sings:
Open a new window,
Open a new door,
Travel a new highway,
That’s never been tried before;
Before you find you’re a dull fellow [or perhaps young woman],
Punching the same clock,
Walking the same tight rope
As everyone on the block.
The fellow you ought to be is three dimensional,
Soaking up life down to your toes,
Whenever they say you’re slightly unconventional,
Just put your thumb up to your nose.
And show ’em how to dance to a new rhythm,
Whistle a new song,
Toast with a new vintage,
The fizz doesn’t fizz too long.
There’s only one way to make the bubbles stay,
Simply travel a new high way,
Dance to a new rhythm,
Open a new window ev’ry day!
Even Jesus’ Family Thought He Was Mad
In today’s Gospel (Mark 3:20-21) we read:
Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”
Some people wonder why a young, happy, and intelligent woman would want to be a sister. They might even think it’s a crazy idea.
What might God be calling you to do? How might God be calling you to live? Do you worry about what people might think or say? “What-people-think” never stopped Jesus – don’t let it stop you. Come and meet the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael on February 4th. We don’t know what others would say, but we don’t think it’s a crazy idea.
Would You Ever Think about Walking through a New Doorway?
In today’s Gospel reading we see Jesus naming the Apostles and sending them (the word apostle means one who is sent) to do the ministry of preaching. All of us are called at the time of our baptism, and we are all sent to preach the Gospel in our own particular way, according to our own particular gifts.
The Dominican Sisters are hosting a “Come and See” day in San Rafael. It is an opportunity to reflect upon how God is calling you to preach the Gospel, in your own particular way, according to your own particular gifts. Why not come and see if life as a Dominican Sister might be good way for you to live out the call you received from God at your baptism. The date is February 4, 2012 – please contact us at 415-257-4939 or vocations@sanrfaelop.org for more information.
How Can We End the Cycle of Violence
In today’s First Reading from 1 Samuel 18:6-9, 19:1-7, we read about King Saul who is angry and jealous because David is rising in popularity, since he is better in battle than the king. We read a song sung by the people:
Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.
He is angry enough to become murderous. And at the end of all the stories about King Saul, his son Jonathon, and King David, and all his sons, we really don’t see a happy ending – except that we can always count on the faithfulness of God in spite of our faithlessness, greed, lust, or violence. And these stories in the books of Samuel and Kings present a rather unvarnished picture of sin. In the face of all these monumental failings, we see the unfailing grace of God that reaches us wherever we are.
We are also presented in these stories with the truth that violence begets violence. Saul, and David who followed him (as well as his progeny) were trapped in the cycle of violence. They sanctified their violence and wars by claiming that God was on their God . . . . on their side, so to speak.
When will it be possible for us to lay down our weapons and stop the cycle of violence in its tracks?
This is a tomahawk missile on display at the Smithsonian in D.C.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the only weapons were those on display in museums? What would a world like that be like?
A New Assignment
This week I have the privilege to be subbing for Sister Cathryn who is the resident manager of Rose Court, our affordable housing complex in San Francisco. I noticed that Sister Cathryn had a framed quote by Meister Eckhart, the German Dominican mystic from the 14th century. I share it today.
Every single creature is full of God and is a book about God.
God Fills the Earth with Joy
The third psalm in our morning prayer today is Psalm 65
You still the tumult of the seas
(the roaring of their waves)
and the tumult of the people.
The ends of the earth stand in awe
at the sight of your wonders.
the lands of sunrise and sunset
You fill with Your joy.
As the Deer Longs for Springs of Water . . . .
The first psalm for our morning prayer today is Psalm 42.
Like a deer that longs for springs of water,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
My soul thirst for God, the living God:
when shall I come and stand before the face of God?
One of our San Rafael deer
Come and You Will See
Today’s Gospel passage (John 1:35-42) tells of Jesus inviting the disciples to follow him by inviting them to “Come and See.” He’s not asking them to make a commitment. He’s not saying they should follow him. He’s not telling them how they should live their lives. He is simply inviting them to investigate . . . to observe . . . to see for themselves just who he is and what he is about.
We, the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, are hosting a Come and See Day on February 4th. We’re not asking for a commitment either, we are simply inviting single Catholic women, between the ages of 20 and 45 to come . . . to investigate . . . to observe . . . to ask questions . . . and to find out for themselves just what being a sister might be like.
Why don’t you come? Why don’t you encourage someone?
Come and You Will See
Sometimes Poetry is Preaching
I read this poem the other day in an email from Panhala.net. They always share wonderful poetry.
I should be content
to look at a mountain
for what it is
and not a commentary on my life.
– David Ignatow.
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