Although I grew up “in town,” I spent many a day out in the country. Our good friends had a farm about 50 miles south, where we often visited.
I’ve had experience gathering eggs, picking corn (and rock), playing around in the hayloft (and falling on my way down the ladder / fracturing my foot ), having bonfires that reached nearly to the telephone wires, and other great fun that you just don’t find within city limits. Perhaps this experience “on the land” is part of the reason I love seeing things grow. I’m delighting in the four plum seedlings that I’ve nursed from pits and that are once again flourishing after their winter dormancy beneath snow-covered pails. Also, working with residents on our raised gardens out on the patio has become a tradition for me. It’s fun carefully planning out where the little seeds will be planted. This planting season, I actually used a tape measure, recently acquired from a conference the other Sisters had attended in Bismarck. Now, we might actually have strawberries! I got a call this morning from a friend of St. Anne’s who might be bringing us some extra strawberry plants. Whether it be spinach, onions, cucumbers, peas, beets, basil, dill or strawberries (our crops this year). there is something sweet and satisfying about cooperating with life’s growing process, whether it be plants in our gardens or people in our lives. Thanks be to God for the gift of our own lives as well as all the blessings that grow all around us!
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In today’s first reading from Acts, Paul and Barnabas mention the fact that it is “necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14).
In his homily at Mass, Father briefly reflected on the role “hardships” play in our lives. In my own prayer this morning, this phrase struck me, too. I know that hardships, as much as I’d rather avoid them or be quickly done with them, have been necessary in my life as well. I think about times and situations that have been particularly hard, and realize they have been vital in my own growth as a person. Where would I be today if it weren’t for these hardships of my life? This passage to me serves as a lesson, as a reminder, to me to thank God for these hardships that help shape me as a person, that lead me closer to Him as I journey, seeking His kingdom. This morning, at Mass, I was struck by the continuing omnipresence of the word “alleluia” in the liturgies of the Easter season. Even though our society put those chocolate bunnies on sale weeks ago, the Church knows better and still fully immersed in this season of joy and praise.
I find it interesting that even verses with seemingly little connection to this “A word,” abolished during Lent, now end with Alleluia, exhorting us to “praise the Lord” (English translation of the word). So, we might ask, why do we end the majority of our antiphons and liturgical proclamations with “alleluia,” “praise the Lord,” for over a month and a half, through Pentecost? Is there a lesson for us? I think so! God has done truly amazing things for us…At Easter, we celebrate the marvelous mystery of Christ’s resurrection, His conquering of sin and death. This truly merits our praise! The ongoing prolific alleluias also might serve as a reminder for our daily lives, not only during Easter, but throughout the year, that we should be in the habit of giving thanks and praise. Just as we exclaimed “alleluia” at least three times during the course of a ordinary Easter weekday Mass (though who can call the Mass ordinary?), we would do well to say it repeatedly in our hearts throughout the day! Regardless of what the other words of the verses are about at Mass, we so often end them with “alleluia” during this joyous Eastertide; how much more should I lift my heart in praise, regardless of (or because of) the circumstances that surround me. Alleluia!!! When I had just finished college, I was a volunteer publicity assistant for our parish’s Council of Catholic Women.
One major undertaking I had in this role was creating a newsletter for the group, which we called Mulieris Dignitatem (Dignity of Women), drawing its name from JPII’s document on “the Dignity and Vocation of Women.” It featured recent undertakings and events from the group’s members. Now, years later, having started a group for area Catholic women to support each other in our faith, I find my mind drifting back to this important concept, so totally misunderstood in modern society. As I try to figure out who will speak at next month’s gathering and what the topic will be, I am drawn to the possibility of a brief reflection on our call and dignity of women within the Church. (I say “brief” because the speaker only has about 25 minutes allotted.) Unfortunately, during the past several decades, with the laudable pursuit of respect and equality, a lot of women have become confused about what it means to be a woman, about what our wonderful, God-given role is, after all. I think that preparations for upcoming meetings may be a good refresher course for me, personally, about the dignity and vocation each of us has as a woman within the Church. In closing this little post, I find it fitting that our monthly gathering, entitled “Magnificat Morning” points to Mary, even in its name. Who, better than she, can show us what it is like to be a woman of faith? Mary, who first brought Christ to the world, can be a model to us, helping us to bring Him to those we meet each day. Today is a day of ambiguities, you might say.
This morning, for Morning Prayer, I was surprised that we used the full Office of St. Joseph; this celebration of St. Joseph the Worker is just an optional memorial. Then, we went to Mass, and Father did not observe the memorial at all, simply using the Wednesday of the second week of Easter, another surprise! The Mass to be attended was another instance of options and decisions. There was a special Mass with the school children including a May Crowning, celebrated by the Bishop. I had wanted to attend, but it didn’t work out with my schedule so we went to the early morning Mass instead. And the ambiguity of my day continues…. I could ask myself today, what is my job title? Am I a receptionist? Am I involved in social ministry? Am I a personal care aide? Today, I’ll be all three, with another meeting in between and will finish my day at the reception desk again! (I’ll be filling in for a sick aide/receptionist after my regular work duties.) It will be an interesting day, I’m sure. Who knows what other little ambiguities and challenges will come up?! I pray that St. Joseph, the Worker, will intercede for me in all of it. |
AuthorSr. Christina M. Neumann Archives
December 2019
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