Jan. 18, 2015
Today’s Gospel tells us that John recognized Jesus as the Lamb of God simply by walking past him. What kind of vision did John have in order to recognize the Christ? How did he prepare himself so he would know Jesus as the Christ? Jesus told his first disciples – John, Andrew & Peter – to "come and see" if they really wanted to know who he is. How do we follow Jesus in our lives to see and know who he is for us today? Consider how we are called to be "Contemplatives in Action" finding God in all things; having the eyes and heart to see him.
Try starting your day asking Jesus to help you to be "aware and available" to Him in all you do and with all you meet. At the end of your day review your experiences giving thanks for the way Christ was present and ask for the grace needed for the next day.
Jan. 25, 2015
"This is the time of fulfillment. The reign of God is at hand! Reform your lives and believe in the gospel." Mark 1:15
God’s way of changing the world is the "little way" proclaimed by St. Therese of Liseux. This means that the little things of our everyday lives are very important in God’s plan. Gandhi once said, "Almost anything you do will seem insignificant, yet it is very important that you do it." And Mother Teresa said, "It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love is put in the giving." All of these sayings guide us to realize that this is the moment we have and challenge us to examine how we are proclaiming the reign of God with our lives each and every day.
Feb. 1, 2015
For Mark and the Christians of the first century the "unclean spirit" and other "demons" represented evil, mysterious powers hostile and resistant to the holiness of God. Anything that separates us from God, the Giver of all Life, like anger, violence and greed can be destructive. Yet, out of these struggles new life can come. In today’s Gospel, the unclean spirit reveals Jesus’ identity and tries to distract him from his mission, yet through the demon’s recognition and response to Jesus’ authority, others were led to faith.
Consider a time in your life when good came out of an "evil" situation. Did you see the Presence
of God in it? In the midst of all the evil around the world today, how is your trust in the God who conquers all evil?
Feb. 8, 2015
"Everyone is looking for you," they tell him. Although there are many demands being made on Jesus by the people of Capernaum, he realizes he needs time for himself in order to renew his spiritual energy and be in contact with his Father.
St. Teresa of Avila’s prayer, "Christ has no hands now but yours…" reminds us that as incarnational people we are bring the light of Christ into the world through our actions. At the same time, Jesus gives us an excellent example in today’s Gospel reminding us that we too need ‘quality time’ to be with God, in order to pray and to reflect on our lives and to be in a more intimate relationship with our God who loves us beyond our imagination!
This is a good time for us to ask, "How do I put God first, above all else in my life?"
Sister Del Santo is director of vocations for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester.
