Discipleship in the Life of Francis, Clare, the Franciscan Sisters and You

Posted on October 1, 2009
Filed Under Franciscanized World, Image of the Month, Vocations / Discernment |

During the month of October Franciscanized World will be highlighting the call to discipleship of our Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, specifically Sister Pamela Biehl, OSF, as a parish director of the Catholic Communities of St. Mary Winneconne, WI, and St. Mary, Omro, WI and Sister Anne Marie Lom, OSF, as a spiritual director for both St. Raphael Parish, Oshkosh, WI and our own religious community.

Special Spiritual Feature

Sister Anne Marie invites you to join some Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity as they reflect on their annual retreat at the Community’s House of Prayer entitled: Discipleship in the Life of Francis, Clare and You. Read their thread of comments all month long and feel free to add your own reflections. Expect the retreat slideshow to change as all of creation goes through transformation.

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103 Comments so far

Sister Anne Marie Lom October 1, 2009 4:48 am

Welcome to my first “blog” retreat. I will post some themes for prayer and reflection. I’m hoping you will comment on your insights and prayer. After some comments, I’ll post the next theme. Since the Holy Spirit is the real director of a retreat, trust that what you are moved to write will not only be for your growth, but for the growth of all who are reading.

First Evening

The sisters assemble, go over housekeeping details and welcome each other to a week of prayerful reflection. Each is asked if there are intentions they would like the others to remember during the week. The sisters are asked to notice the image of God as they pray. “What does God look like to you?”
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 1, 2009 5:22 am

Fr. Paul Gallagher, OFM and I developed this retreat for the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. We directed one retreat in July at Monte Alverno in Appleton for 10 of our sisters and then I directed 4 of our sisters at our community’s House of Prayer during September. The pictures are from the September retreat.
Gretchen October 1, 2009 6:46 am

“What does God look like to you?”

To me, God looks like everyone I meet.

I did a retreat many years ago, on The Many Faces of Jesus. From the obvious physical features that are so different all over the world (wherever the pictures are created) - to the spiritual reactions we have.

One woman, a nurse, recalled a particularly bad night at work. She was going from patient to patient, impatiently - and was preparing herself to enter the room of a person she knew would be cantankerous. She stood outside the room and had an ‘aha’ moment which brought her to tears and changed her life. She pictured the patient waiting for her, as ‘the wounded Jesus’.

Since I heard her recall that story I’ve seen the face of Jesus in everyone I meet. Depending on their circumstances, there is a different ‘face’ to each. People I find most difficult myself, are the easiest to understand when I picture a wounded Jesus. People who are at first glance ‘undesirable’ are much easier to take when they are pictured as the framework for Jesus. When I imagine the cross they’ve chosen to bear in this world.

It makes it so much easier to love and to serve when I consider the face of God in each and everyone around me.

I was just reminded of this yesterday when some family members of mine got caught making fun of someone online. They’re good people that were just having fun - but at someone else’s expense. They figured the person would never know, but she found out. And rather than being uncomfortable about what they said they’re defending their right to laugh at someone. Harmless, they think. I wonder if they had pictured the face of God on that person, would they have spent the energy they did in the first place, mocking her?
Bertie Albright October 1, 2009 7:57 am

What a great idea!I look forward to going on retreat with all of you via cyberspace!Taking time from a busy schedule to just listen for his voice on a daily basis is something we all need. I heard his voice through Gretchen’s comments today! How true it is that picturing Jesus in each person we meet will greatly influence our experiences with them. Today, being the feast of St. Therese, God looks like a young girl, filled with love and joy in doing for others. I look forward to the days to come on this retreat! God bless to all.
Laura October 1, 2009 8:53 am

My picture of God in reflecting on the question was first the Sistine chapel God (big guy, white beard). Then that morphed into majestic clouds with a beautiful sunset (sunrise might work too, but not for me:). Then I always seem to come back to the quiet whisper outside the cave. And I wondered how to describe what a whisper looks like. To me it looks like God is all around us and when we are still we may hear the quiet whisper, but during the normal rush and noise of a day we’re less likely to realize it.

Thanks for the opportunity to retreat with you in this way…and for the opportunity to slow down from the rush of a day and listen and see God.
Carmen October 1, 2009 9:59 am

I don’t know that I have a visual image of God. I “see” God in a child. I am immersed in God as I stand by Lake Michigan. I weep with God as I hurry through a hospital “seeing” others waiting anxiously for news. Peace to all
Sister Carla Riach October 1, 2009 3:36 pm

As I reflect on this past month I realize I’ve seen the compassionate face of God over and over. My Mother passed away September 4th and the outpouring of loving concern and support for me from family, sisters, co-workers, friends and parishioners has been such a powerful experience of God’s presence for me.
I pray that I may show the compassionate face of God to others.
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 1, 2009 7:08 pm

What an abundance of images, insights and inspirations our first day has brought! Many of you see God in others and that is what Jesus tells us, “Whatever you do to others, you do to me.”

I received several emails today from people following the blog but not posting. All promised prayer for those involved so I think our “common retreat” is going global. There are at least a few in Canada with us as well as east to west coast in the US. We will continue this discussion for a few days and then move on. Those who have already responded, feel free to respond more than once on a topic if you are so moved.

Noticing our image, our notion, our understanding of God is fundamental to our prayer and its growth.

Let us also keep in prayer those who do not know God, those searching, those discouraged in prayer. Our retreat is never just for ourselves. It is a gift to the entire Church, to our families, our ministries, and our friends. Our presence before God in loving attention is itself prayer. May the Holy Spirit bring us to a restful sleep and may we awake refreshed and renewed.
Diane October 1, 2009 8:48 pm

When I pray, rather than an image, it’s an awareness that I sense. It’s a feeling that’s, first of all, always welcoming, totally understanding and caring. I get a feeling of being invited to remain in prayer and encouraged to return again soon. It’s an almost overwhelming awareness of love.
Connie October 1, 2009 9:41 pm

God is always changing. sometimes he is near, sometimes he is far, sometimes I feel his presence surrounding me and holding me up, sometimes he’s just looking on, and sometimes I have to go searching for him with great difficulty in finding him.
Sister Sue Ann Hall October 2, 2009 4:14 am

Since I have become a Volunteer at one of our hospitals, right now in Zansville, Ohio, I see the Face of God in the sick and the anxious; in the doctors and nurses; in the Tects and the housekeepers; the kitchen staff and administration; in the people who come and go and call etc. I have a greater desire to serve and care and pray.

Pride is a great tempter though and ever so often I need to re-evaluate What God looks like to me. You see it’s all about God and not about me. My life it to be an instrument He uses to tell people, and people tell me about Him. Some people of Jesus’ time looked upon the face of God, Jesus, and rejected Him.

To me in our time it seems easy to reject “Jesus”, to not see The Face of God with all that we see and hear. Is there any GOOD NEWS? Yes, Jesus IS the Good News who’s life must become ours: over coming evil with good. So look it in the eye and smile!

Thank you Sister Anne Marie. What a beautiful way to share.
Pat Lopresti October 2, 2009 8:21 am

I liked the observation of the person wo said she sees God in a whisper. How do you see a whisper? I think I see God in the kindness and gentleness of other people. When someone smiles at me, I feel a benediction.
Gretchen October 2, 2009 9:27 am

God in a whisper?

At a retreat once, deep in the woods, I was having a hard time letting go of worries from home. I’d left two young children that were used to having mom around, and I couldn’t stop thinking about them. We slept in a beautiful log cabin at night that was solid and quiet, and was conducive to great sleep. After tossing and turning for awhile I put my worries aside and went to sleep.

Sometime later I was awakened by the beautiful sound of what I can only describe as “coo’ing.” A sweet feminine mix of sound that couldn’t really be described as words, because there were no words. And it wasn’t exactly music because it wasn’t like anything I’d heard before. It was murmuring or coo’ing.

And I had the sense that this coo’ing group was almost like a cloud of faces, but not like clouds as we know them and not really faces either.

And their message? To give over my worries. That there was this layer of help there for us. That I was to gather my concerns together and offer them up for these others to carry for me.

There was in the distance, another group of sound. This one masculine. Deeper in tone. As a mother and a woman, I instinctively knew that the first group was for me at this time but I also had the sense that the other group was there to carry other masculine-type concerns, not only for men, but for us all as we needed them.

This sense I had that night did not last long, but it was powerful and very comforting. I did not see anything or physically feel anything, but this experience was very deep for me, spiritually.

If I think of God as whisper, this is what I’d recall.
Sister Pat Sevcik October 2, 2009 12:19 pm

I was recently awakened at 4:45 a.m. by the clear sound of seagulls. I thought it was strange, even though Silver Lake is not far from my room.. Then, because our large laundry with lots of equipment is on the floor below my room, it dawned on me that it might be some machine that needs to be oiled. Nevertheless, it became the call to prayer for me. Today, my scripture was, “I am the sheepgate. All who come through me will be safe.” God is everywhere, so why would we ever be surprised to discover God in the most unlikely places? Peace and all good to those who are journeying on this retreat together!
Laura October 2, 2009 1:07 pm

I envy (in a good way) Diane’s awareness during prayer. I don’t think I’ve gotten there…yet.

And to Connie’s comment on God always changing…I’ve always thought of God as very constant, we’re the ones who change. It makes me think of a prayer of St. Therese of Avila -

“Let nothing disturb thee;
Let nothing dismay thee;
All things pass:
God never changes.
Patient endurance attains
All that it strives for.
He who has God
Lacks for nothing:
God alone suffices.”
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 2, 2009 6:47 pm

Thank you for a beautiful and rich tapestry of sharing today. Commenting on each others postings is most enriching.How manifold are the faces, images and experiences of God. Some see God as constant; some as changing. Some hear feminine and masculine voices, some whispers. Some sense God mystically, some perceive God quite concretely. One theme runs through all of these sharings: God is beyond us and present; immanent and transcendent. Blessings on all who are engaged and those who are observing.
Caritas October 2, 2009 7:52 pm

I’m a gardener, a lover of nature in all its aspects, but it’s Autumn outside and God comes to me as “Partner”. When I watch the leaves start falling from the trees, I’m reminded to “Let go..and let God.” and if it weren’t for the shifting of the wind, even a gentle breeze, you would never hear the leaves of the trees “sing”, make their music. And the seeds we so carefully plant in spring would not grow without the warmth of the sun and the gentle fall of rain to encourage them to break forth out of their hard,tight shells and take a chance on life and living. We all need God as partner.. And He calls us from time to time, to be like a tree…let go..and let God. And His wind gently carries you to where He wants you to be. God’s face is..caring, loving. Sit now, in quiet…and “pray a tree.” Happy St. Francis Day, Lover of all creation.
Gretchen October 3, 2009 8:54 am

…loving Caritas’ thoughts.
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 3, 2009 6:46 pm

Another image was shared with us today: God as partner and the use of gardening and nature as images for prayer. Francis used many natural images to lead him to God.

Tomorrow, I will post the next topic for reflection and conversation.

On October 3, Franciscans throughout the world gather for the Transitus (passing from this life to the next). Here is a website where you can view a UTube presentation of the Transitus. It is 6 1/2 minutes in length.
http://ourladyofthepearl.com/the_transitus.htm
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 4, 2009 6:35 am

Here is a link to our community’s celebration of the Transitus:
http://www.fscc-calledtobe.org/living/index.php/2009/10/03/why-the-transitus-of-st-francis-is-vital-to-commemorate/
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 4, 2009 6:44 am

On this feast of our founder, St. Francis, I wish you peace and all good.

Today we move to our next retreat considerations.

Focus for the day: What are some images of God that Francis and Clare used as they prayed? What images do you use as you pray?

In Francis’ Praises of God, he says,
You are beauty. You are meekness.
You are the protector; You are our custodian and defender.
You are our strength. You are our refreshment.
You are our hope.
You are our sweetness. You are our eternal life: Great and wonderful Lord, Almighty God, Merciful savior.

In her third letter to Agnes of Prague, Clare challenges us to follow “the footprints of the poor and humble Jesus Christ,” so that we may “taste the hidden sweetness that God Himself has reserved from the beginning for those who love Him.”

Having pondered your personal image of God, along with the images used by Francis and Clare, you are invited to pray, journal, draw, sculpt or in some way represent your image of God.

You are also invited to pray Psalm 139 while looking into a mirror. Your face is the image of God others see. We are all made in the image and likeness of God.

How did it feel to pray with a mirror in front of you? How do you see yourself bearing God’s image in today’s world? What keeps you from being fully free to be “yourself”?
Pat Lopresti October 4, 2009 9:59 am

Years ago (late 60’s) I read a light-hearted book called We Neurotics by Bernard Basset, SJ.
It’s a humorous look at our all too fallible efforts to connect with God. My memory dims when it comes to specific examples, but one line from that book stands out and it is this: “God is in the next stitch.” This phrase speaks to me of both completion and creative endeavor. I did a lot of handwork in the early days of my marriage and have re-visited that interest in my retirement. I connect with God through creative process. Yes, the yarn, tools and patterns exist but the finished project is highly individual and I realize that I have brought something into being that didn’t exist before. AS for completion; what God knit in my mother’s womb 68 years ago, He will bring to fruition in His own good time.
Diane October 4, 2009 3:37 pm

I don’t often pray using images, but when I do, it always seems to be the same two. In one, which is really like a motion picture in my mind, I can see Jesus standing on a hill with all beautiful green around him…trees….grass…He is alone and looks over and sees me and beckons me to come over to Him. I walk over and as I do, He opens His arms and with this wonderful smile on His face, envelops me in His arms in the greatest hug a person could experience. The hug never ends! The other image that comes to mind sometimes in prayer is more like a painting…it is Jesus sitting on a rock wall with grass and trees all around once again, and I am seated on the ground by His feet and His hand is on my head. I don’t know why I picture the rock wall or all the green, but that’s just the way it is. These images bring me much peace. :o)
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 4, 2009 5:45 pm

We’ll close this St. Francis day with gratitude for those who contributed and for God’s graciousness in giving us experiences of unending, total and exquisite acceptance. May the Lord give you a restful night and may you awake refreshed and full of grace.
Linda McCullough October 4, 2009 5:49 pm

What does God look like to me? I sometimes find myself burned out on images. What I know I can rely on is from 1 John: God is love. And so, when I see love, I am seeing God–God as a verb. I think I am close to what Gretchen said–we see God in others. I work with severely mentally ill people, and I see how we have learned in our rag-tag community to love one another. I see God when we listen, when we assure one another, when we look out for one another. I know when I really give of myself, I feel alive, as though I have been brought close to God. In Les Miserables, Victor Hugo writes, “To love another person is to see the face of God.”
I remember Fr. Gerald, a little old Franciscan who looked a lot like Yoda. He would tell us that Francis saw God as good, the source of all good and when we encountered the good, we encountered God. This is something I really treasure in Francis’ Praises of God: “You are Good, all Good, supreme Good.”
T. October 4, 2009 9:56 pm

Sometimes prayer begins with an image of something that inspires the incarnation or actualization of the spirit within all, but usually, prayer is such a mystical experience that it’s almost nothingness….either no-thing or every-thing…I don’t know…but what I do know is that God is there….for, “Where can I hide from your spirit? From your presence, where can I flee? If I ascend to the heavens, you are there; if I lie down in Sheol, you are there too.” For, “darkness is not dark for you, and night shines as the day. Darkness and light are but one.”
John October 5, 2009 8:13 am

What does God look like to me?

As I sit here looking out the window I see God in the Elm tree, the Hickory tree, the Birch tree and the few remaining flowers. I see him the different birds stuffing themselves on the sunflower seeds in my feeder. I find it difficult to look at anything and not see God or the work of His hands.

I try very hard to see Him in every person I encounter it’s just that sometimes I find that it is easier to see him in an apple, pear or pumpkin.

I’m working on this.
Mary October 5, 2009 9:08 am

I don’t often use images when I pray but, like Diane stated in her posting, when I do have images, I usually have the same two images. The first is of Jesus next to me supporting me with either his hand on my shoulder or surrounding me somehow allowing me to know that He is present and loves me. He quietly understands me, and it is so comforting. The second is an image of Our Lady that I had in a dream when I was going through my conversion process through RCIA in 1998-1999. I had a dream I was in my hometown in Michigan standing in a dark open field with other young people my age that I did not know. We saw a beautiful light in the sky slowly come down to us, and we were crying. It was Our Lady, and she was so beautiful! I can still see her smile and face so clearly. We were crying and loving her so much as she shared the Eucharist with us. I felt healing love and although she didn’t speak, I felt in my heart that she was asking for all of us to deepen our understanding of Christ and rely on Him for all our troubles and worries about life. She ascended back into the clear dark sky. I’ll never forget that dream and the image of it comes to me when I pray and meditate.
Laura October 5, 2009 9:36 am

I’m a little late, but wanted to share a musical version of Psalm 139. It is “Search me and know me” by Michael Card. If you click on my name above this post, it should take you to the site.

I didn’t try the mirror, but I like the psalm, especially Michael Card’s version.
Saints Inspire Artistic Expression and Reassurance : Franciscan Sisters Blog October 5, 2009 12:07 pm

[…] Do join
Sister Sue Ann Hall October 5, 2009 5:02 pm

I’m a little late to respond also. We had such a wonderful feast day celebration with our sisters missioned in Cambridge, OH, that I couldn’t help but to see God in each part of our day together: our special meal together: the laughter and the conversation; the simple “horse race” game we played that the two sisters who teach the lower grades wanted to take home with them (and they did); the dessert we shared after the game so we could really enjoy it; and the Evening Prayer we shared before the sisters left. It all showed us God, Francis and Clare enjoying food, fun and prayer in our world today as we should each and every day in each situation we are invited to participate in.
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 5, 2009 5:52 pm

God’s abundant blessings on all of you posting on the blog and observing (reading) and on all who are praying for each of us as we “retreat” with each other. Psalm 139 seems to be a powerful prayer and your responses are evidence of the Holy Spirit moving your hearts to respond. No one is “late” responding, as I will not post a new topic until Friday so we have plenty of time for discussion and responses. This retreat will go on all month so do feel free to post links that take us deeper into a topic as Laura did by referring us to Michael Card’s Psalm 139. The melody has a lilt to it that made me wonder if God dances for joy each time one of us is “knit together in our mother’s womb”. I do know that God desires us even more than we desire God and God’s primary “plan” for us is to be happy. So, I leave you today with this question: What makes you deep down, full of joy, happy? Might that be where you can meet God today/tomorrow?
Sister Mary Lou Loonsfoot October 6, 2009 11:49 am

Dear Sister, congratulations on the fine work you are doing. I am sure your message will touch many readers.They have touched me.I like your way of espressing the point you are delivering. God bless you and continue to inspire you in all the great work you do. You are in my daily prayers.
Sr. Delores Wisnicky October 6, 2009 4:04 pm

I love what I am reading here. I see God in a whisper is wonderful. When I reflect on Francis and Clare, I think God is fire! They were such great lights in a time the world lived in the dark. When I meet people who are very alive, they live with a fire inside of themselves. They hold the light of God within.
Thank you for the insights and reflections. God bless you all.
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 6, 2009 6:31 pm

Today my niece had a baby boy and our entire family is rejoicing. When her twin girls were born, she was only expecting one… and she and everyone else was totally surprised. Everyone who had bought a gift to the baby shower immediately went out and bought another. No one said, “We don’t have enough love or care for another, we were expecting one, not two.” I think that is how God loves. God doesn’t say, “I can’t love one more or one million more. Everyone is welcome, everyone is made in my image.” Love expands to what is needed.
We had a new image presented today, God as fire. We had Sr. Mary Lou offering prayers and support. It was a blessed day and so we close today with praises for God’s infinite and expansive love consuming and lighting the way. Thank you to all who posted and those following and praying with us.
Bertie Albright October 7, 2009 8:22 am

I’m late posting due to being on a retreat in Marathon. Coming home and reading all the wonderful postings that happened while I was gone was like a very special treat–a way to continue my retreat!
While I was gone I did a lot of walking in the woods. One afternoon I stopped to sit on a bench over-looking the river. As I sat there and asked God for some answers to things that have been troubling me, I felt s real presence come over me that I could not explain until I read the postings today. It was a whisper! God came like a whisper that afternoon and continued to show me answers all week end, through other people, readings and now all of you. Thank you so much for this beautiful experience.
ellen October 7, 2009 7:32 pm

I don’t see God anywhere. I don’t know how to look.
Psalm 139 - God knows me…perhaps that’s why I can’t find Him. I know He gave me free will and I horrendously abused it.
“See if my way is crooked, then lead me in the ancient paths” - I don’t know how to let Him lead me.
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 7, 2009 7:33 pm

May the Lord give you peace as you complete today and begin afresh the new day of Thursday. May God whisper, blaze, hum, laugh or communicate with you any other way to let you know great love and consolation.
Sr. Pam October 8, 2009 9:28 am

When Sr.Anne Marie shared with me her wonderful idea of a “blog” retreat and thought it would be a great way for us to spark prayer and faith sharing I had no idea that I’d be having a hip replacement right before she began this retreat.

Today is the first day I have had the mental energy to spend time reading all of your insights and your words have truly been a source of prayer and blessing for me.

During these days of recovery the words “I’ll pray for you” have really come to mean a lot to me. Not only have I felt so tightly wrapped in the love of God but I have also realized that during these days I have needed people to pray “FOR ME.” It’s been hard just to stay focused on a conversation and reflecting on anything has been a real challenge for me. Letting others do things for me including pray has been a real “spiritual exercise” and a way for me to experience more dependence than independence for a while.

Thanks to all of you for helping me to pray during these days of healing and recovery.
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 8, 2009 5:13 pm

I see Sr. Pam has presented a new understanding of praying FOR someone when they are not able to pray because of illness, recovery, fatigue or another reason. Let us close today praying FOR those unable to pray for whatever reason. Peace and all good.
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 8, 2009 6:10 pm

We are ready for our next phase of retreat.

Focus: How did Francis and Clare grow in faith and spirituality during their lives? How did you, and, how are you growing in faith and spirituality?

Using James W. Fowler’s stages of Faith Development, (for more information, follow this link: http://faculty.plts.edu/gpence/html/fowler.htm)we see how the human person passes from the image of God paralleling the image of one’s parents to a mystical, conversational relationship with God.

Francis and Clare moved from concrete, detailed thinking about God, faith, and the poor into mystical conversation with God and the “poor, humble and obedient Jesus”.

Examples: Francis, upon hearing the voice of Jesus from the crucifix, “Go rebuild my house for, as you see, it is falling into ruin” literally buys stone and mortar and begins to repair San Damiano. He later realizes he is called to repair the “house” of the Church.

Clare leaves her family castle and joins the friars who follow Francis. She later grows into the call to found a religious community of women who came to be known as the Poor Clares.

Questions for you:
· How have you grown in faith?
· What are some examples of you moving from one stage of faith to another?
· Do you know any other people or saints who have shown a growth in faith?
Sister Pat Sevcik October 9, 2009 2:19 pm

Upon reflection about growth in my faith over the years, it took place at times as the thinking of the Church changed about persons who experienced great suffering and took their own lives. This tragedy (in our eyes) brought the peace they may have sought all their life. I also recall how joyful my Mom was when she read an article in the Green Bay Catholic Paper that said a child who died in the womb or at birth is in heaven, not in limbo. She was brought to tears because she thought that her first baby who died at birth would never see God. These are only 2 examples that impacted my faith in an expansive and lavish God. This loving God is the God who embraces me and who I embrace.
Rachelle October 9, 2009 2:49 pm

My journey in faith started with my parents taking and then requiring me to go to church. As a child, I didin’t have a choice and it was just what we did.

I grew in my faith as I got older by learning more about it (minor in college) and wanting to be at church and with others sharing faith and praising God. What my parents and grandparents instilled in me as a child stayed with me and have become a very important part of my life. I continue to grow by participating in retreats.

Recently I had surgery and I was overwhelmed and humbled by the love, concern, prayers I felt from others wrapped around me like a favorite blanket. Never underestimate the power of a kind word, thought or prayer.
Sister Carla Riach October 9, 2009 3:46 pm

As a child our family had the basics of Catholic practice, going to Sunday Mass, praying at meals and bedtime, putting money in the collection. When I went to the Catholic school in 6th grade I was amazed to find that our faith encompassed beautiful devotions like honoring Mary during May, praying the rosary as a family. I learned about the Saints and became envolved in Mass by being in the choir. I remember my faith being enlightened and I became more excited about my relationship with God. Another growth time that is very strong in my life was when I was in my thirties. Although I had community prayer and the Eucharist and Reconciliation as a part of my life, I felt a restlessness. In time, with the help of a spiritual director, I realized God was calling me to a deeper relationship with him, a relationship with less words exchanged. I believe that’s when the seeds of
contemplation started growing.
Diane October 9, 2009 5:22 pm

I was raised a protestant and became Catholic when I married at the age of 20. The first real change in how I lived my faith came when I was 39. At that time our family had a dear friend, like a son to us, who was killed in a horrible traffic accident along with 3 of his friends. I was so devastated…I picked up every spiritual thing to read that I could find. I also bought a One-Year Bible at that time, that had the entire year divided into equal-length readings. That year was the first time I read the entire Bible. I never stopped reading spiritual books….I have continued since then and I am now 61. In the past 10 years I have made 3 trips to Medjugorje, have been part of 3 missionary teams abroad, volunteer for nursing home visits and prison ministry, and I continue to listen for God’s whisper in my heart. I have led a very imperfect life and have had to ask for God’s forgiveness so many times and yet I believe so much in His total love for each of us and that we’re each here at this specific time for a very special purpose. Sometimes we don’t realize how God has been active in our lives until we look back over the years. And I’d just like to say to Ellen, who wrote a day or two ago….God has a special plan for you and a very special place for you in His heart. One day soon you will hear His whisper.
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 9, 2009 6:23 pm

Today we have experienced several “witness blogs” regarding growth in faith, spirituality and the influence of others on our faith journey. We can see that whether we are “cradle Catholics”, converts, in touch with God’s love or still searching for God, we can rest assured that God desires US even more than we desire God. Our desire for God is our greatest and most perfect prayer. Mother Teresa felt darkness for a large part of her life, yet she desired God and that desire drew others to God through her.
St. Francis had a circuitous path to God via parties, doubts, trying to become a soldier, and unresolved conflicts with his father. St. Clare wondered if her Rule would ever be approved. It was approved only days before her death. Doubt and suffering open our hearts to God or to despair. Let us remember to choose God.
Again, thank you to those who posted, those who are praying for us and those who are viewing our common journey.
Sr. Delores Wisnicky October 10, 2009 1:22 pm

Thank you to some powerful witnesses of faith. Diane, Rachelle and many others—your faith journey touches mine. Growth comes when when we face difficult things. We may want to run from them.
As I reflect on my journey, I can get lost in my ministry or work. But then I feel so restless inside, I wonder what am I doing. A spiritual director has helped me alot to move in my faith journey of trust. I often try to do too much alone. I am not good at asking for help. My spiritual director has helped me uncover some powerful dimensions of the faith life. God is so present to us in a myriad of ways. She helps me realign my compass so I am set on seeking God and not my own ways.
How have I grown? I am not so fearful any more. I don’t have to have all the answers. I don’t have to save everyone. Jesus did that.
I just want Jesus to use me in the way He wants.
Sister Mary Lou Loonsfoot October 10, 2009 2:31 pm

Dear Sister, just a note to congratulate you on the fine work you are doing with the material for a retreat. I am sure many of those reading this will stop and listen or ponder for a while. I can say that your remarks have impressed me. I will continue to read them. Thanks for all you do to invite members to our community. The Lord has to be very pleased with you and your partner. Just know that I am praying for our success and that the Holy Spirit will send a few members to us.
Sister St.Louis
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 10, 2009 6:40 pm

We come to the end of Saturday and the entire church has begun to celebrate the Sabbath. Let us rest on this Sabbath secure in the loving mercy and tender guidance of a God who loves us beyond our imagining; a God who “knit us in our mother’s womb”, who watched us develop from infancy and delights in our deepening understanding and growing transparency to all things spiritual.
I am most grateful to the two sisters who shared insights today and for those who are following our retreat on the blog. As Francis so often concluded his remarks, I pray, “The Lord give you peace.”
Sr. Pam October 11, 2009 4:24 pm

As I sit here knowing how many people are praying FOR me these days I am also reminded of how blessed I’ve been to have so many people in my life who have guided me on my journey of faith.
My parents spent a lot of time teaching us what it meant to be “Catholic” even though they never said it quite that way. We prayed before meals and before bed every night, went to church on Sunday, helped the neighbors when they were in need. That was just a natural part of daily life in my family.
All through my life there have been people who have “been there” for me guiding me, questioning me, sharing their wisdom and insight, leaving me with enough information but no final answer. It was through so many of those decision making moments that I felt my faith growing stronger and God’s will for me so clear.
It’s because of people like all of you who are sharing in this blog that I am convinced others are led to a deeper faith, a deeper conviction in what they believe and who they are.
Thank you for taking the time to share moments in your faith journey. Your stories help me to reflect on my own life especially when the pain makes that difficult.
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 11, 2009 7:21 pm

Thanks to Sr. Pam for sharing her faith story. I hope more of you will be prompted (by the Holy Spirit) to post faith-growth stories. As we close today, let us be mindful of how WE influence others’ faith journey. How are you passing on your faith and spirituality to others? I hope you have some stories to share.
Dolores Lynch October 12, 2009 10:36 am

My faith was kind of stuck in limbo for many years. I was raised on an angry, punishing God and memorized prayers. I couldn’t connect, but I kept trying. When I was in my forties, I read a series of Christian roamnce novels, where the characters took their problems to God on a regular basis and freely talked to an praised him in everyday conversation. That made sense to me, and thus began a wonderful faith journey. I have been journaling daily since 1998 and am a voracious
reader of spiritual books and authors. I also belong to a Women’s Spirituality group and these wondeful ladies have helped me grow immensely. I also go for Spiritual direction and that helps answer questions and to keep me on my path.
Bertie Albright October 12, 2009 12:55 pm

As achild growing up my parents were my strongest faith builders. We always said prayers at meals and before bed and also when ever there was a need for ourselves or others. We were also always taught to say prayers of thanks and to help others when ever they needed help. I didn’t realize then that they were teaching me to be Catholic–I just thought that this was how life was!
My next step up the ladder of faith came in my thirties when I was raising my family. Facing illnesses of children and struggling to make a marriage work did not seem like blessings at the time, but I know they are some of the things that have strengthened my faith.
So many people have been an influence on my faith. My parents, my husband. my children and the many influences of friends, of priests, nuns, teachers and spiritual directors in my life.
The death of my mother was my next step in faith. My greif lead me to prayer and reading of scripture and anything else that could give my comfort. From there came the call to change my profession and to do what I could to give back to God for my many blessings. I began volutneering at my parsi which led to a job offer, which led to Commissioned Ministry classes and all of which has led to spiritual growth. I pray that God will use me to reach and do for others, that I may give back only a little of what He has given me.
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 12, 2009 6:29 pm

Today, we had another “witness posting” of God’s work in the stages of life and the stages of growth in faith. I notice how many say, “I didn’t know… I just thought that’s the way it was.” Even today, we don’t always “know” what God is doing with us, we don’t “understand”, we don’t “feel” God all the time but we can rest assured, GOD IS AT WORK! Let us close today full of faith that God works through the good times and the challenging times, the dark times and the times full of light. God works in and through each stage of our journey. We praise God for all God’s works are wonderful.
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 13, 2009 3:21 pm

Today we move to another consideration
poverty/appropriation.

Francis renounced money and the inheritance of his family to follow, at times quite literally, the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Clare petitioned the church for the privilege of poverty, a stance in the world where she and her sisters would own no property and have no secure source of income. The Poor Ladies would rely only on the providence of God and the begging of the friars for their sustenance.

We ask ourselves today: What do we appropriate to ourselves, what do we think we have a “right” to:

· narrow or unresearched opinions,
· material possessions,
· self-righteousness,
· control of our future
· misuse or overuse of natural resources

Examining our attitudes of appropriation takes us beyond material poverty to inner attitudes that block the transforming power of God’s love from taking hold of our lives. Where do we need to practice surrender? What do we claim as a “right” that is really a gift from our gracious God? How do we give back to God glory, honor and praise for God’s many gifts and benefits?
Sister Patricia Sevcik October 14, 2009 7:40 am

Thank you for the posting on poverty, Sister Anne Marie! Something that I can claim as “my own” are my falults, darknesses and sin. God has given everything as gift. When I remember and acknowledge this reality, when I embrace the cross and my own humanity, I find myself thanking God, becoming brighter and giving back to God praise, glory and honor.
Laura October 14, 2009 1:44 pm

Let’s see:

· narrow or unresearched opinions - No

· material possessions - I’m not sure. I think I’m getting better at this. I need to clean out a few years of accumulation, though.

· self-righteousness - Unfortunately, yes. it’s a trap I can fall into all too easily if I’m not attentive to what’s going on in my heart; when I forget to love.

· control of our future - No, I know my future is up for grabs, so to speak.

· misuse or overuse of natural resources - Another unfortunate yes. I’m very conscientious about recycling and turning off lights, but other habits are harder to break.

I’m not in Francis’ or Clare’s league, but then I’m not a saint. Giving up my house or my secure source of income is not something I’m ready to do. Maybe if I had more faith I could. I do give thanks and praise to God for all the many gifts I’ve been given - family and friends as well as talents and things.

Where do I need to practice surrender…that sounds like a good question to work on. Thanks for planting the idea.
Sister Sue Ann Hall October 14, 2009 5:12 pm

There is a lot to think about regarding poverty. I don’t feel I have trouble hanging onto material possessions and worry about controling the future. I’ve moved around enough in my years as a religious that I can detatch myself “with what doesn’t fit”. Sometimes I wish I hadn’t but it’s gone now. I want to do God’s will and be open to however and wherever that may take me. Like most the uncertainty is aways there but as long as I stay open it works out for the better.There will always be adjustments. I’m becoming more conscious of natural resoures. A work in progress. Narrow and unreached opinions and self righteousness needs alot of work. I like to be right and be in the know. It’s hard to give up the will and control on a day to day basis. But this is a life long growing process and each day brings a new begining with hope, strength if I’m on the same page as God.
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 14, 2009 6:21 pm

My deep gratitude to our three bloggers of today. Responding to the questions posed shows careful self-reflection and exposed some insights encouraging each of us to examine appropriation/poverty anew. Surrender to God’s ways/promptings is always foremost. Let us close today grateful for the ability to reflect, surrender and ponder our journey.
Sister Mary Ann October 15, 2009 8:31 am

It is such a strength to read and reflect upon so many faithfilled responses to this online retreat! Sister Anne Marie you are a great spiritual guide! Thank you all!
ellen October 15, 2009 5:13 pm

I think my self-righteousness is my biggest stumbling block.

Thinking that my negative opinion of me is “right”. Believing that God made me -junk-, that my view, my outlook is the only one, that God couldn’t possibly forgive and love me, to be so self-righteous that I won’t accept His love (or anyone else’s).

I’m getting better at accepting God’s love but still need a lot of practice! As a very wise spiritual director once told me :), Think of your relationship with your son; as a parent you love him unconditionaly and would forgive him for anything. God is your Father and does the same for you.
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 15, 2009 6:34 pm

I appreciate your affirmation, Sr. Mary Ann. Ellen, I’m always thrilled to read what is on your mind. Your experiences as a parent will always help you remember God’s lavish and unconditional love for you and for everyone/everything God made. Let us rest secure in God’s outlandish love for each of us remembering that all we have is a gift from God and all is to be returned to God. That is the essence of Francis’ poverty.
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 16, 2009 6:49 pm

It was 40 years ago today that my 16-year-old sister was killed by a drunk driver. After the immediate grief and the prolonged sorrow and sadness, I came to a keen understanding of the Communion of Saints and how we are very connected to all who have gone before us. My sense is that she is very alive, active and helpful to our family members and others who ask her to intercede for them. When her death occurred, I also became aware of how little control we have over our future and how profoundly influenced we are by small, daily acts of kindness and compassion. I close today with a deep gratitude for my “heavenly” sister, Karen, and for all who have gone before us in faith. I am also grateful that my nephew, Joey, was born on this day 26 years ago. The gift of this new life gave me a greater sense of the connectedness of all of creation; birthing and dying are part of our faith journey. Poverty paired with gratitude reveals abundance.
Sr. Pam October 17, 2009 7:25 am

One of the questions Sr. Anne Marie asked us to reflect on this week was “Where do we need to practice surrender?” During these days of recovery from my hip surgery I’ve been learning a LOT about surrender.
Just this morning I looked in my dresser and realized I have only one more pair of clean socks. That means I need to “practice surrender” and ask someone to do my wash for me today because I can’t do that for myself yet. Every day there is something I can’t do that I need to surrender to and ask for help. And every time that happens I realize again how much I take for granted in my life and how hard it is to be dependent.
I don’t like to ask for help and it’s hard not to be able to do things on my own time and in my own way. But I also know that in being open and aware of this that I am growing in being open to the working of God in my life. Not an easy task, that’s for sure, but one that is helping me to become more what God wants me to be.
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 17, 2009 5:29 pm

Sister Pam gave us a very practical, physical awareness of surrender today. Thanks to her and to all who are following us by reading and in prayer.

It is time to move to our next focus: Darkness/death. These dark and often rainy days of October can provide a natural time to turn inward and reflect. As we near the feasts of All Saints (November 1) and All Souls (November 2) we ponder not only physical darkness and death, but spiritual and emotional darkness as well.

Darkness comes to each of us. Sometimes it is a suffering over which we have no control: disease, death of a loved on, rejection by a friend, or an inability to make a difference in ministry. This suffering can only be brought to the foot of the cross and united with the sufferings of Jesus. There is little or no chance of “making it better”.

Francis suffered this often, most notably at the end of his life when he was blind, sick and near death. His response was to compose the Canticle of the Creatures (http://www.ofm.org/francesco/pray/pray05.php)
praising God for sun, moon, stars, water, air, fire and even death itself. This can be seen as an invitation for us to offer gratitude to God even during darkness and suffering.

Clare suffered discouragement when her Rule was delayed in its approval. She was confident she and her sisters could live the “privilege of poverty” but approval for that form of life came only days before her death.
There are other forms of darkness over which we have some ability for alleviation. When we engage in negative thinking, mind reading, jumping to conclusions without sufficient facts or when we dwell on the negative qualities of others, or ourselves, we invite darkness into our minds and hearts. It takes prayer and the asceticism of spiritual and mental discipline to change these attitudes and behaviors so we can be open and receptive to God’s abundant grace and blessings.

Whether we are dealing with the suffering over which we have no control or the suffering which can be lessened by prayer and positive thinking, we can be confident that Jesus is with us when we suffer and offers us comfort and consolation in our darkest times.
Sister Patricia Sevcik October 18, 2009 10:31 am

Sister Anne Marie, you pose some very good questions for reflection and prayer. A favorite mantra that I pray comes from a song, “Dance in the darkness, slow be the pace; surrender to the rhythm of redeeming grace.” These darker, chilly days are a reminder of another season of grace. As I watch the trees flare out in red and orange, I see the falling leaves and hear the call to surrender. God is so good! All is gift! We often grow the most in some of our darkest times.
Sister Carla Riach October 18, 2009 12:10 pm

Here in Tucson Mother Nature doesn’t change the earth much during fall, but there is a chill in the early morning air which is very refreshing. The noticeable change is the shortening of daylight hours. I mind the darkness when I’d like to take an early walk or have evening meetings. It’s one of those things I have to surrender to and go with the flow. Yesterday the Religious Women of the Tucson Diocese were invited to reflect on the topic of surrender. Sisters shared their experiences of surrender to the unknown, to the limitations that come with aging and to illnesses. We were invited to reverence those times of suffering and darkness by living in the moment and surrendering our will so we can be open to God’s grace. That’s a challenge!
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 18, 2009 5:34 pm

Today we were blessed with two more insightful postings on surrender accompanied by practical examples: surrender to daily events and to the aging process. Thank you, sisters.Let us close today grateful for the desire to surrender, even when we don’t do it well or completely. The desire is the first and biggest step.
I look forward to hearing from others on the topics of darkness/death/surrender or whatever the Holy Spirit is putting in your heart.
T. October 18, 2009 6:33 pm

I’ve been enjoying reading these posts when I have the opportunity. However, I’m not sure I’m exactly called to respond…even though I’d like to. Fowler has been a sort of friend for the past few years. I’m very much aware of his work and use it often. I was once deeply submerged in stage three, but now I think I’m in flux between four and five. I’ve been able to do quite a bit of reflecting on that for days now. It’s been good. As far as surrender, perhaps we don’t truly learn how to surrender until we are asked to do it. Yes, we can surrender into beauty, thankfulness, and goodness in and of itself, but sometimes we need to journey through darkness first….on occasion, many times….But in the end, all is well…There’s just something about that journey from darkness into light that opens our eyes, hearts, and minds to a new and deeper awareness of the divine working in and through all…So no matter who you are or where you are or who you spend this earthly life with, all is well as we continue to grow, experience, understand, remember and enjoy. I would bet that both Francis and Clare had that awareness early in their lives because through all of their afflictions, there was always great joy, love and honor for wherever the divine could be found.
Sr. Delores Wisnicky October 19, 2009 7:44 am

Darkness is filled or a restless night can open us up to look at the mystery of life.
This time of year offers us alot to reflect on. The color of the trees is staggering. Only God can paint such glory and richness. Yet the days get shorter and God invites us to look at more than what is truly there.
I believe the darkness is a time to evaluate what is going on inside and around us. Some times the chaos of life can throw us off balance. God can use that chaos for fruitful growing within our lives. We need to sit in that darkness, wait and listen. God has a plan for us. God can stretch us beyond anything we can imagine.
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 19, 2009 6:08 pm

Both postings today speak of walking/working through darkness because it is a necessary part of growth. Thank you, T. and Sr. Delores, for your insights and sharing. Let us close today asking for the gift/grace of courage to journey through darkness, mindful that “all will be well”.
Sister Sue Ann Hall October 20, 2009 12:25 pm

Life needs direction, purpose, otherness. The darkness can be the answer to that prayer, if I am willing to sit in the darkness long enough to listen, ponder, risk, and open my self up. If I think about it the darknesses I have experienced, upon looking back, Have been a real growth peroid in my life. I am not alone in the darkness. God is right there in my midst. It is here I need to let go and let God. I need to allow God to instruct me and draw me forward to the light, make changes and adjustments. Then I can grow to serve the Lord as I am and where I am.
Mary October 20, 2009 4:54 pm

I really relate to what Sister Sue Ann has said about growth from darkness. I felt like for so long in the past I had been sitting in the darkness with my self-criticism and harshness toward my faults. I wasn’t forgiving of my growth process but at the same time, not aware that I was *taught* to sit in the dark. I learned different ways of dealing with it, prayed like crazy, and life transformed; what a gift.

When I think of the topic of dark and light, I am reminded of Virginia Satir. She was a family therapist in the 70s and 80s and believed in the power of love, kindness, and humanity. She thought we all needed twelve hugs a day to survive(or wouldn’t 12 forms of human contact be great—a gentle touch, a smile, a hug). She had a concept about adding lightness to dark. More specifically, she was saying “be the light where it’s dark and toxic” and the darkness can’t survive with that; it would eventually crumble. God’s love and acceptance of me is that light for me.
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 20, 2009 5:36 pm

Again, two insightful postings dealing with darkness, light, trust and faith that God is with us in the darkness. Thank you Sister Sue Ann and Mary.
It seems no coincidence that the Christian world celebrates Christmas, the Incarnation, God with us, at the darkest time of the year. Let us close today mindful of God with us in darkness and that Jesus tells us that he is the Light of the World. “Come, Holy Spirit, enlighten the darkness of our minds.”
Sr. Pam October 21, 2009 7:31 am

I’ve been a bit more aware of darkness than usual these past few days because the pain in my hip has been waking me up in the middle of the night. The sharp pain wakes me up out of a sound sleep and during the couple of hours it’s taken me to get back to sleep I’ve been able to reflect on this latest theme that Sr. Anne Marie has set before us.
It’s been hard for me to rest and wait in the darkness in the middle of the night. Darkness seems to make the pain so much bigger and getting back to sleep impossible. Then I realized that this might be just where God wants me to be tonight - awake and in the dark. It was in the middle of those frustrating dark and sleepless times that I finally “got it” and I remembered God’s promise to me, “I will be with you always.” What a comforting thought that has been for me these days! What more could we ask for in life? God is always with us.
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 21, 2009 6:38 pm

Sister Pam has left us with another insightful meditation on sleeplessness, darkness and trust. I am most grateful to share community with her and to have her posting in the midst of her recuperation.
Let us close today praying Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures, written during a time he was suffering greatly. Notice how it is filled with gratitude and familiarity.

Most high, all powerful, all good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.
Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which you give your creatures sustenance.
Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.
Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you; through those who endure sickness and trial. Happy those who endure in peace, for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.
Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whose embrace no living person can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those she finds doing your most holy will. The second death can do no harm to them.
Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve him with great humility.
(translated by Bill Barrett from the Umbrian text of the Assisi codex.)
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 22, 2009 9:11 am

Today we begin the ending of our retreat.

Focus for the day: Mary as a model for discipleship for Francis, Clare and You.

Francis and Clare seem most comfortable viewing Mary in relation to her Son. There seems to be a “context” in their prayer that Mary is the first and most devoted disciple of Jesus.

We ponder the phrases from Francis’ Salutation to Blessed Virgin:
Hail his palace!
Hail his tabernacle!
Hail his swelling!
Hail his servant!
Hail his mother!

Clare, in her Third Letter to Agnes of Prague she teaches that the human soul is the dwelling place of God and she exhorts Agnes to follow in the footprint of Mary:
As the glorious Virgin of virgins carried [Him] materially, so you, too, by following in her footprints especially [those] of poverty and humility can, without any doubt, always carry Him spiritually in your chaste and virginal body.

We close our focus for the day with the mantra of St. Clare found on the album, Love Holding Love.
Once in her body the Virgin of virgins bore the Word of God. Now in my spirit I, in my weakness, I bear the word of God.

For reflection:
How do you “bear” the Word of God to those in your daily life?
How are you a disciple of Jesus?
Sister Patricia Sevcik October 22, 2009 9:38 am

The reflection for today invites me to consider Mary and the ways in which she bore God to the world. She is the best model we have for doing the will of God. Today, I ask how I can live the will of God in my ministry. The answer is to be a role model by living my faith and love, using all of the grace and gifts poured out on me by the Holy Spirit. I want to share the joy of Jesus and to bear sorrow and pain as Mary did. Mary, Gate of Heaven, pray for us!
Sister Sue Ann Hall October 22, 2009 5:51 pm

“Bearing” the word of God in my daily life means to me being present/aware of each person I encounter, taking TIME, if only a few second. I can see our Blessed Mother being very aware of the people around her, even those she didn’t know. A smile, a greeting, a pat on the back is all it takes to make someone feel good, feel like they are worth something. Once we know we have worth our whole world opens up before us. That worth is always within us because Jesus lived, died and rose for me for you. I want every one to know that. His disciple I will be.
Diane October 22, 2009 7:51 pm

I hope and pray that I am being a disciple of Jesus by keeping Him in my mind, and by my side throughout the day. By being joy-filled and compassionate, by reminding myself to care about every person, by working on my patience and forgiveness with others and also forgiving myself when I am disappointed in my efforts. Every day is another beautiful opportunity for us to do some good in the world!
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 23, 2009 9:29 am

Thank you to Sisters Sue Ann and Pat and to Diane for sharing insights on “bearing the Word to the world”. St. Francis says we are all “mothers” in this sense… that we bring Jesus into the world. As Sister Sue Ann shared, “when we know we are loved, the whole world opens up.” How true. Recognizing we are loved gives us a certain poise, a confident “glow” that spreads to all we me. Grace upon grace is poured out through God loving us.
Let us “go forth” bearing the Lord into the world.
Pat Lopresti October 23, 2009 9:55 am

If I am a disciple at all, my theology is very simple: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned and bury the dead. I am probably less sanguine about the spiritual works of mercy and perhaps that’s where I fall down as a disciple.
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 24, 2009 9:34 am

Thank you, Pat, for sharing your insights on discipleship. I think your thoughts are summarized by, “Whatever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you do to me.” It is the fruit of our prayer (works of mercy) that indicate the authenticity of our prayer and discipleship. May Mary guide all of us toward authentic prayer and action.
Question for our further reflection:
How does Eucharist, prayer, devotion motivate you to act?
Pat Lopresti October 24, 2009 11:14 am

The Eucharist? I’m not sure how I’m motivated to act. Maybe being grounded is my response. I think I am motivated by hearing the Word of God, and if it is accompanied by a well thought out, well delivered homily - well, that’s the icing on the cake.

In the hurly-burly of raising a family, I had one constant and repetative prayer: God help me, God help me, God help me. Ad He did! But I think when I was young, I scattered my energies and, indeed, was warmed once by a priest to stop trying to be all things to all people. As I age I find myself spending more and more time alone. Far from being lonely, I believe that God is calling me to deeper communication, reflection and meditation. My focus now is to try to use the gifts and talents God gave me in His service. And, as an aside, I read or heard somewhere that Erma Bombeck once said that when she stood before God she hoped to tell Him that the had used up all the gifts and talents He gave her. I hope to say the same.
Sr. Pam October 24, 2009 1:11 pm

During these days of healing and recovery I think I have been made very aware of how I’ve been a “receiver” of the Word of God maybe more than a “bearer”. I’m amazed at how so many simple gestures such as making a pot of soup, sending a card or taking time to make a phone call can be so uplifting and encouraging to my spirit. Over and over again they remind me of the power and grace of God that surround me and continue to watch over me.
God uses us in such ordinary and unassuming ways to carry His word to others and these days I’m learning what it feels like to be on the “receiving” end. It’s been good for me to remember that even as we “bear” the Word of God to others we also “receive” that Word from others every day. These days I’m growing in being a good receiver.
T. October 24, 2009 4:44 pm

Lectio Divina was once an important part of my prayer life. Now, it’s just become part of my life in general. I try to hear that “still small voice” each and every day, meditate on it, discuss it if I need or want to and then go forth with it. It may not be a piece of sacred text, but a moment, a glance, or something I hear in another person without them even talking to me etc…but it always calls me to some kind of action…..sometimes action for others, mostly action for myself, but always action for the greater good.
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 24, 2009 5:51 pm

Thanks to Pat, Sr. Pam and T. for posting today. It seems that each person has his or her own way of discovering and responding to God’s invitation to “follow.”
Receiving is important and imperative. If no one received, what would any of us have to give? Giving is a superior position; receiving renders us more vulnerable. Perhaps receiving is MORE spiritually growth filled that giving??
Being able to “see” beneath the surface “in a moment, a glance or an intuition and to respond is a real gift! Response for “the greater good” is growth in selflessness. What a grace!
As one ages, the movement toward a contemplative approach is often the gift. What a rich response to seeing God face-to-face: “I have used all the gifts you’ve given me.”
As the Christian world begins Sabbath time, we can look at Sunday’s Gospel where Jesus asks Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” The response of Bartimaeus can echo in our own spirit, “Master, I want to see!”
Let us close today asking for the gift of sight however that may contribute to the greater good.
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 24, 2009 6:00 pm

Another interesting dialogue, Eucharist Adoration to Action, is featured at the following link: http://www.fscc-calledtobe.org/living/index.php/2009/10/18/present-eucharist-from-adoration-to-action/#comment-5856
T. October 24, 2009 8:24 pm

Bartimaeus springs up and casts off his cloak, and in doing so, he reveals himself. He casts off his old life- one of obscurity, huddled by the side of the road, wrapped in a protective and anonymous garment. For even though he was blind, he could “see” in Jesus what many of His followers at the time could not, a chance for change. Now there’s some fodder for reflection…… revealing oneself as a beautiful work of the Father’s hand and recognizing it, coming out of obscurity- excepting one’s worth, and yearning for change/ growth…..All from an encounter with Jesus…..Let us continue to cast off our own cloaks and let us continue to follow the example of the Theotokos for others… so that they too may “see” their own beauty, worth, and opportunity to be God-bearers to all as well
Sister Mary Victoria October 25, 2009 6:01 am

I have been reading many of the comments for the on line retreat. I was reading Sister Pam’s comment on receiving and I feel many of us often find it hard to be on the receiving end because we become so independent and think we will always be able to everything on our own no matter what. Someone just told me they got a call from a new parish director while the husband was in the hospital, to ask how he was doing, and she had not even met them. they said they will never forget that.we do not realize the impact we have on others when we do something good, but yet so small for another, and we are Christ to them at that moment.
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 25, 2009 6:39 pm

Thank you, Sr. Mary Victoria, for your insightful comments. The phrase, “we do not realize the impact we have on others when we do something good, but yet so small for another, and we are Christ to them at that moment” is so true. No matter how small or seemingly insignificant, when good is done, God is revealed. St. Bonaventure says that all good manifests God and you said it so well giving a very practical example.
As this Sabbath Day draws to a close, let us be mindful of our discipleship and Mary as our model. Let us be aware of the good in our lives and capitalize on God in the good. Perhaps Francis’ Praises of God, given to Brother Leo, would be an appropriate reflection:

You are holy, Lord, the only God, and Your deeds are wonderful.
You are strong.
You are great.
You are the Most High.
You are Almighty.
You, Holy Father are King of heaven and earth.
You are Three and One, Lord God, all Good.
You are Good, all Good, supreme Good, Lord God, living and true.
You are love.
You are wisdom.
You are humility.
You are endurance.
You are rest.
You are peace.
You are joy and gladness.
You are justice and moderation.
You are all our riches, and You suffice for us.
You are beauty.
You are gentleness.
You are our protector.
You are our guardian and defender.
You are our courage.
You are our haven and our hope.
You are our faith, our great consolation.
You are our eternal life, Great and Wonderful Lord, God Almighty, Merciful Savior. Amen.

Source: http://www.shrinesf.org/prayers.htm#pbl
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 26, 2009 5:57 pm

This “Autumn Evening Psalm” found in the Shantivanam Newsletter for fall inspired me. It seems to contain some of the themes posted in our retreat. No permission is needed to reproduce it unless it is used for profit. While there is no material “profit”, I hope you profit from it spiritually.

Gracious God,
as night draws near, come with gentleness and gracefulness,
strength and power.
Do not let me take flight
into the darkness of night
but give me the courage to embrace
the mystery of your silent presence.
Speak in silence, Divine Whisperer.
Enlarge my heart to hear your Truth.
May I receive your Love as a child accepts
a gift from her mother.
Divine Parent,
lend your protection to all people
on the planet this night.
Where war rages or violence reigns,
may your children hear whispers of peace.
Wrapping this day with prayer,
may I rest in peace with you,
a dress rehearsal for the deepest sleep of peace,
eternal rest.
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 27, 2009 8:49 pm

We are coming to the end of our retreat. At the end of some retreats all participants are invited to come together and share the graces of the retreat.
·What was a consolation of the retreat?
·Was there, at any point, desolation or a sense of “being lost”?
·What was an insight that you will take with you?
·Has God led you to a different place than when you began the retreat?
·Is there anything else you’d like to share with the group?

I invited any of those who followed us silently, prayed for us, posted or emailed me personally to share anything you wish these last days of the retreat.

I have several “graces” to share. I am amazed, humbled and energized by the insights, the responses to the postings and to the multiple ways God was evident to me during this retreat.

I also wondered how an online retreat could work and I feel so blessed to have had so many of you share in this process.

What would you like to share?
gretchen October 28, 2009 6:43 am

Sr. Anne Marie, I want you to know how much I appreciated this opportunity. Towards the end of the retreat-time I was busy and didn’t get a chance to be involved, but I’ve enjoyed coming back to read and reflect.

Thanks for facilitating this.

I hope you do this again.
Sister Sue Ann Hall October 28, 2009 5:13 pm

First I want to say Thank You, Sister Anne Marie, for doing this On-Line Retreat. The sharing meant much to me in helping myself grow, understand better what others experience, and receive a breath of fresh air to life. Sometimes I don’t like to think spiritually, but this sharing was a wonderful experience and I’m glad I took part in it. God Bless All of you and thank you.
Caritas October 28, 2009 6:44 pm

I haven’t stayed faithful to reading this REtreat every day but…tonigth I’m drawn to pull it up. Must be the Holy Spirit…or as we often say “a low flying bird.” What I appreciated about this Online Reterat was teh chane jsut to share the spiritual things that are in our hearts and see others respodning with similar or very different yet inspiring thoughts. often we are so busy with the work of our days that we don’t find or have a chance to share the things basic to who we really are. I have ejoyed this time of being able to share things I seldom get a chance to speak openly about to others. They get journaled into my journal books and then never see the light of day again. I could do this again, even once a month…ongoing. Your questions are great…food for thouht, reflexion, growth. Bless you for starting this. Amen and God bless… Caritas, the Happy Gardener
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 28, 2009 6:54 pm

Thank you, Gretchen and Sr. Sue Ann, for sharing your gratitude and appreciation. Today I talked personally with two people following the retreat and praying for all of us. I am appreciative for their prayerful support. Let us close today confident that God desires our companionship and rejoices in our sharing with each other.
ellen October 29, 2009 3:57 pm

Thank you Sister Anne Marie for an awesome and very thought-provoking retreat. I have a lot of follow up prayer and thought ahead of me…but at least I am now open to possibilities of getting closer to our God.
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 29, 2009 8:25 pm

My sincere appreciation to Caritas and Ellen for your summary statements and postings.
Caritas, you said it well: sometimes the things closest to our heart are least shared. Our hearts are tender, vulnerable spots and we protect them even from those who love us. Ellen, your posting brings me joy! Being open to possibilities (desire) is, itself, a prayer. God does mighty deeds with our desires. Allowing God to love us is another tender, vulnerable process. May God’s Holy and gentle Spirit be with you and all of us this evening.
Let us begin to prepare for the great feast of All Saints Day on Sunday. Follow this link for some background information: http://www.churchyear.net/allsaints.html
Sister Julie Ann October 30, 2009 9:17 am

I know I have been a silent (but daily) retreatant this month, but I have been enriched by Sister Anne Marie’s spiritual direction and the openness of all the wonderful souls who shared their own beautiful relationships with God. What a perfect way to anticipate the feast of All Saints! Thank you all so much. Peace and all good.
Sr. Pam October 30, 2009 12:13 pm

When Sr. Anne Marie shared with me her idea of an online retreat and asked if I’d be interested in doing this as part of our blogging participation on our community website little did I know that I would be recovering from hip surgery during that time.

This retreat has truly been a gift to me in helping me to articulate and then share my thoughts based on the themes that S. Anne Marie presented throughout the month. I know those themes were not chosen specifically for me but I felt they were because they continually touched on some aspect of healing that I was either struggling with or in awe of as I walked these days of recovery.

Thanks for making your idea a reality, Sr. Anne Marie and know it’s been a joy and a blessing to have walked this month with you and so many others through this blog. I feel like I have been supported through the pain and the therapy by your prayers and your presence. Thanks to all of you for helping to make these days so meaningful and reflective for me.
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 30, 2009 6:04 pm

I praise and thank God for Sister Julie Ann’s support and comments and for Sr. Pam’s reflection on her journey to recovery from hip surgery. I attribute it to the work of the Holy Spirit whenever a comment “speaks right to me” in my concrete situation even though the comment is intended for a wider audience.
I thought we’d close today with the Gospel for Sunday, some background on the Gospel and some reflection questions. Fr. Paul Gallagher, OFM writes the background and reflection questions for each Sunday Gospel and I edit them. This is a free service and can be emailed to you each week. If you wish to be added to the distribution list, just email me: samlom@excite.com.
If you have any comments on questions, feel free to add them to the blog. This is another step in preparation for Sunday’s feast of All Saints.

November 1, 2009
Feast of All Saints
Matthew 5:1-12a

1 When he [Jesus] saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. 2. He began to teach them, saying:
3. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
6. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
7. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
9. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

Background:
The Solemnity of All Saints has readings that are especially chosen for the celebration; therefore, the gospel is taken from Matthew and not Mark’s gospel that we have been reading most of this year. In Matthew’s gospel this reading is taken from his description of the early ministry of Jesus. He has chosen four of his apostles, Andrew and his brother Peter, and two other brothers, James and John. Matthew had also reported that Jesus has been in the synagogues proclaiming the rein of God and curing people. With the spread of his reputation more and more people are coming to hear Jesus. In the first verse of the text, Matthew states that Jesus decided to take his disciples and move apart from the crowd where he will teach them privately.

Being a follower of Jesus means more than traveling with him. He expects the disciples to learn from him and to shape their lives by his teachings. As Matthew describes Jesus’ instruction to his followers, he is drawing on his community’s familiarity with Moses who went up the mountain and brought back the commandments from God. Here Jesus takes his disciples up the mountain and sits with them, assuming the position of a teacher. But his teaching is in the tradition of wisdom teaching and not commandments. He is encouraging behavior that brings a sense of satisfaction or fulfillment and discourages those things that are destructive. Certainly, what he advocates is contrary to the wisdom of the day. In the wisdom tradition, Jesus presents a way of life that one is to strive after rather than commandments.

In this text, the first and third beatitude treat the notion of power. Those with power and means usually rule societies. In God’s rein, those who are considered powerless, the meek and the poor, will rule society. The second and fourth beatitudes focus on those people whose lives are broken or are in turmoil. Their state was understood to be retribution or punishment for some past sin. They grieve because, for some, their situation was brought upon themselves. But, the beatitudes suggest that they are not responsible for their situation and that it will be corrected for them.

The next three beatitudes speak to religious piety. Mercy is the disposition God has toward a sinner. Those who seek mercy are to live with mercy toward others. (The Our Father) Regarding the “clean of heart” it to be noted that observing ritual purity is not sufficient. One must live with a pure heart to enter the presence of God.

Lastly, God’s desire is that all live in peace. Sin disrupts God’s desire for us and destroys peace. Those who are able to overcome evil with good are doing God’s work and will be known as Children of God. The last two beatitudes address the reality that those who follow Jesus’ teaching will be ridiculed and persecuted. When this happens the disciple can rejoice because he/she knows that they are living by God’s standards and not those of the world.

The values that Jesus advocates run contrary to those held by society in general. Throughout Matthew’s gospel, Jesus is described as the one who is poor in spirit, mourning, meek, hungering for righteousness, merciful, pure of heart and a peacemaker. These beatitudes look to a future time when God’s presence will be brought to fullness on earth. That future day has begun to appear in the person of Jesus. Jesus teaches his followers, by his life, how to live their lives reflecting the values of the reign of God. Thus, hope for the reign of God will continue to be present and unfold in the world through them.

Reflection Questions:
1. Where are you in the first line of this gospel:
·one of the crowd left looking for Jesus,
·a disciple that Jesus has taken off to instruct,
·a disciple who is becoming more aware of what it is to be a disciple?
2.Have you ever experienced blessings during a painful period of your life?
·What made it possible for you to move to a place where you were able to discover the blessing?
·How was the place where you were aware of the blessing different from the place where you seemed only to be aware of the difficulty or pain?
3.What does it mean for you to be a follower of Christ?
·Is Jesus, as teacher, part of your image?
·What have you learned from Jesus in the last month/last year about being his follower?
4.Who are the people who help you to learn (or mentor you) about being a follower?
5.Can you identify people in your life who you would include among
· the poor in spirit,
· those who morn,
· the meek,
· those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
· the merciful,
· the pure of heart,
· the peacemakers,
· the persecuted for the sake of righteousness?
·What is the quality of your relationship with any of these people? What do they bring to your life?
6.Do you ever think that God’s reign is present in our world through the people who live the values of the reign of God?
·What happens within you as you contemplate those ideals?
·How would you like to respond to God?
Sister Anne Marie Lom October 31, 2009 6:44 pm

We come to the end of October and to the end of our on line retreat. Again, thank you for posting, praying and for some of you, your quiet presence. I have been richly blessed and will celebrate the Feast of All Saints having experienced many earth bound saints as well as our heavenly patrons of St. Francis and St. Clare.
I hope you visit our Community web page often in the future and continue to comment on our Franciscan way of life.

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