Tag Archives: creation

Retreat Notes (2025 Edition)

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I will be honest. Given the state of the world, it felt a little self-indulgent to spend a week away in silence and the beauty of God’s creation this year. And yet I leave renewed and strengthened by God’s love, grateful for the wisdom of tradition and my community’s expectation that each sister take an annual retreat (it’s in our Constitutions!).

Mother Evangelista, one of the first sisters to profess vows in the community in 1884, taught this to her novices:

“Retreat – What is it? A Spiritual Holiday with our Lord. … God comes to us now with His hands spread out over us, and filled with every kind of grace and gift. Are these gifts for me Lord? Is it I?“

I can relate. This year, I returned to Wisdom House, an interfaith retreat center in Connecticut run by the Daughters of Wisdom. When I was a novice, I made my retreat here both years. It is a sacred space filled with beauty where I have received many graces and gifts, this year being no exception.

I leave with three messages tucked into my heart from this week, wisdom for the journey.

1. Strengthen Your Weak Knees

The week before my retreat I twisted my knee. Given that one of my favorite things to do on retreat is go on long walks in the woods, this was problematic.  Thankfully I am improving and was able to take (slow) walks with the help of a knee brace.

God has a (serious) sense of humor, however. The Sunday reading as I began retreat was from Hebrews 12:

For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline? At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.

So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed (emphasis added by me).

I burst out laughing at mass as this passage was proclaimed. OK God, I get it. But just to make sure I got the message, later that same day, I was listening to new music by Sandra McCracken, who it happens released a song based on this same verse in July!

Strengthen your weak knees became a theme of sorts for this retreat. The journey is not without challenges, but I find strength in God and community (and knee braces) and stay on the path. Speaking of paths, I visited the Montfort Fathers Lourdes Shrine in Litchfield and made a prayer video set to the song.

2. Do Whatever He Tells You

I attended daily mass this week at a local parish, where on my second visit  I noticed a beautiful stained glass window of the wedding at Cana. I love the look on Mary’s face as she looks over her shoulder at Jesus. Aren’t you going to do something, her whole being says to her son. And to the servants (and to me), she says simply, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Life can be overwhelming on the best of days. Right now … well. Sigh. I have been mostly unplugged this week but have been reading (and praying with) the news. Enough said.

I also carry with me the stories of the immigrant families I have met on my visits to the Delaney Hall detention center in the face of cruel,  inhumane, and constantly changing visitation policies at the for-profit prison. Another reflection point this week that kept coming up for me (and is in the video above) was standing at the foot of the cross. My experience of accompaniment at Delaney Hall has been a true foot of the cross experience. I can feel helpless in such moments. Like Mary and the other women, I suppose.

As I prepare to return back to real life, I am encouraged by Mary to follow her son. “Do whatever he tells you. He is the way. Love is the way.” My task is simply to listen to him and act accordingly. Small acts of love add up. And as Pope Leo reminded us that first day from the balcony at St. Peter’s… “God loves all of us and evil will not prevail.”

3. Be Like Wise and Rational Fish

Bear with me here … This morning, on the feast of St Augustine, I was drawn to look at the Office of Readings for the day, which I presumed would have something from him. Sure enough, it was the “Late have I loved you” bit, which is lovely and worthy of reflection, to be sure.

But it was the daily reading from St. Columbanus (different from Columba apparently), a sixth century Irish Missionary that caught my attention. Reflecting on Living Water, he wrote:

“We are called to the source and fountain of life … From this Life comes everything: wisdom, life, eternal light. The Creator of life is the fountain from which life springs; the Creator of light is the fountain of light. So let us leave this world of visible things. Let us leave this world of time and head for the heavens. Like fish seeking water, like wise and rational fish let us seek the fountain of light, the fountain of life, the fountain of living water.“

His words came back to me later as I happened upon a bubbling brook on my morning walk in a nearby nature preserve. Remember, I was necessarily walking slowly thanks to my weak knees so I noticed things! I even took advantage of a conveniently placed bench to ponder this living water (and later make a video, because why not?).

God’s love is everywhere if we but have eyes to see and ears to hear (and weak knees to slow us down). God gives us living water to sustain, refresh, and renew us. May we, like wise and rational fish, remember to seek out and be light and love in the darkness amid the dry times in which we find ourselves.

Thanks for reading. I have been praying for you, yes you, during these days of retreat. May we all remember that God is good. All the time. And so are we.

A lesson from creation by Pope Leo

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A reflection from Pope Leo on the readings for 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time:

“Ecclesiastes, invites us …  to come to terms with the experience of our limitations and the fleeting nature of all things that pass away (cf. Eccl 1:2; 2:21-23). On a similar note, the Responsorial Psalm presents us with the image of “the grass that is renewed… in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers” (Ps 90:5-6). These are two strong reminders which may be a bit shocking, but which should not frighten us as if they were “taboo” issues to be avoided. The fragility they speak of is, in fact, part of the marvel of creation.

Think of the image of grass: is not a field of flowers beautiful? Of course, it is delicate, made up of small, vulnerable stems, prone to drying out, to being bent and broken. Yet at the same time these flowers are immediately replaced by others that sprout up after them, generously nourished and fertilized by the first ones as they decay on the ground. This is how the field survives: through constant regeneration. Even during the cold months of winter, when everything seems silent, its energy stirs beneath the ground, preparing to blossom into a thousand colors when spring comes.

We too, dear friends, are made this way, we are made for this. We are not made for a life where everything is taken for granted and static, but for an existence that is constantly renewed through gift of self in love. This is why we continually aspire to something “more” that no created reality can give us; we feel a deep and burning thirst that no drink in this world can satisfy.”

Birthday ponderings

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Today, this brown eyed Susan turns another year older. Three years into my fifth decade and I continue to be astounded.

Astounded by the love of God who created all things even you and me and everyone and everything in between, for all eternity … created out of and for love.

Astounded by the beauty of creation. No words necessary.

Astounded by the gift of life and the invitation to share my gifts (and even vulnerablities) for the good of the whole, to be present to the beauty and the pain, to witness to God’s love even amidst suffering, and to remember and re-member in service of God’s dreams for us.

Astounded by the witness, love and challenge of family, friends, community, colleagues, strangers, bunny rabbits and birds and dragonflies. You name it.

What gift!

Solitude, thanks, and praise

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I finish my few days of retreat today, grateful for the blessing and opportunity of this time of solitude, prayer, and reflection.

In the words of our CSJP Constitutions:

“Recognizing gospel peace as both gift and task,  we believe that prayer is fundamental to our life.  …

In unity with the church  and with all of creation  we give praise and thanks to the Giver of all gifts.  We open ourselves to the liberating power of God  whose Spirit in us leads to peace.

Personal prayer deepens our desire  to be united with God in faith,  enabling us to see God’s presence and action in our lives and in the world.”

So much had happened since my annual retreat last October, good and bad, challenging and encouraging, and everything in between … in my own life, my life in community, and our wider world. There is so much to pray for and with! It is pure gift to have the ability to take time away in solitude with God’s love and mercy. Such a gift also carries responsibility, which I do not take lightly.

I have held in prayer many these days, those I promised to pray for, those I know, and many I do not. I know too I have been held in prayer. Again, such gift.

I have been so aware of God’s love these days away,  love beyond measure. In the words of the song  My Beloved by Eliza King (a soundtrack of sorts for this retreat), I have been “leaning on my beloved.”

Graced with time by the ocean, going on long walks and just sitting by the sea, I have been so aware of the gifts of creation given freely by the One who loved us into being, the healing power of Christ who became one of us, and the persistent presence of the Spirit nudging us into wholeness.

God is so good, and so are we. May we remember that in good times as well as the more challenging times. May we be people of peace and reflect God’s love, mercy, and care for all of God’s creation. Amen.

In the rising sun

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Morning prayer from Sounds of the Eternal: A Celtic Psalter by John Philip Newell …

Early in the morning we seek your presence, O God,

not because you are ever absent from us

but because often we are absent from you

at thr heart of each moment

where you forever dwell.

In the rising sun,

in the unfolding colour and shape of the morning

open our eyes to the mystery of this moment

that in every moment

we may know your life-giving presence.

Open our eyes to this moment

that in every moment

we may know you as the One who is always now

.

(Saturday morning opening prayer, pg. 74)

Retreat Notes: Autumn Days with Jesus

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I just spent a wonderful week at St. Raphaela Center in Haverford, Pennsylvania. A ministry of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, it was a new space for me, although I did know the Grey Nun who was my retreat director. The prayerful spirit and hospitality of the Handmaids made me feel right at home.

It is a privilege to be able to take a week away to just be with God. I do not take that lightly! I made my first directed retreat when I was a Candidate, the initial stage of formation as a Sister. Now I cannot imagine not making time for my annual retreat to renew and ground my relationship with God.

Our Constitutions make it clear why this is a priority for us: “We nurture our life of prayer by reflective reading, particularly Scripture, by periods of solitude and silence, and by an annual retreat.” (30)

In the silence this week, the Autumn leaves hit their peak of the season. Such beauty in the Book of Creation! And so much happening in our wounded world to hold in prayer these days.

Our Trinitarian God is present to me in varied ways and at various seasons of my life. These autumn days of retreat, it was Jesus, my brother, friend, savior, teacher, and healer who was my companion.

Fully human … he gets it. No explanation necessary.

Fully divine … he holds it all in his abundant love.

The suffering and struggle. The joy and peace. In love. Always love. With him and through him and for him, in the mysterious relationship of the Trinity, with the Creator and Spirit and you and me and everything … in love.

And so I pray:

Jesus, teacher, savior, companion and friend, open my heart to your abundant love and my own potential to be love, joy and peace, through your loving presence which will accomplish more than I can ask or imagine. You hold it all. In everything, I thank you. Now, tomorrow, always. Amen

The Gift of God’s Love

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On the morning of my 51st birthday last week, I awoke with a lovely ear worm – “I love you Lord, for you have delivered me.” These are the opening words of Psalm 116 (I Love You Lord) by Mission House. I had discovered a new acoustic version of the song the night before, and to my joy and delight it was still in my heart and head when I awoke that day filled with gratitude for the gift of life and God’s love.

Daily life, with its periodic ups and downs, stumbles and misteps, chaos and noise sometimes makes it harder for me to remember the awesome mystery that God loves me and you and everyone else no matter what. I find it helpful from time to time to take some time away to spot the unmistakable gift of God’s love in nature.

Just the week before I’d gone on an afternoon walk in a local park in Bayonne, New Jersey where I observed two turtles out for a swim on a very hot day. For my birthday present I gifted myself with some quiet time with God in Maryland, in St. Mary’s City and on the Eastern Shore. On my walks and meanderings a cardinal allowed me to take its portrait, some trees gave me shade, and a great blue heron stood still in witness of the wonder of it all. If you don’t believe me, you can watch the video prayer I made set to the beautiful song by Jess Ray and Taylor Leonhardt of Mission House, in which all these friends make a guest appearance.

I love You, Lord
For You have delivered me
I love You, Lord
For You have delivered
My soul from death
My feet from stumbling
I will walk in the land of the living
My soul from death
My feet from stumbling
I will walk in the land of the living

I will bless You, Lord for You heard my cry
I reached out my hand and You saved my life
I will bless You, Lord for You heard my plea
And the God of Heaven turned His ear to me

I will bless You, Lord for unending love
For Your grace and mercy raining down from above
And I will bless You, Lord to the very end
I will call on You as long as I may live

Amen

I will be still

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In our lives, lived amidst more than a dash of chaos at times, whether of the daily variety or the cosmic, we owe it to ourselves to take time to BE STILL. Sometimes we might actually be able to get away, but even a walk in the neighborhood or a moment to stop and breathe can be enough to refill our energy and restock our knowing of whose we are and who we are at our core.

Recently I was reminded of the words of Honoria Gaffney (Mother Evangelista Joseph, first Superior General of my religious community). Writing on humility, she said: “Empty yourselves of yourselves and you will find God.” She wrote those words over a century ago. Wisdom.

This Sunday morning I took some time with one of my favorite prayer forms, setting some of my contemplative photos of the goodness of God’s creation to music, in this case “I Will Be Still” by Young Oceans, featuring Molly Parden. Enjoy!

[Chorus]
I will be still
I will be still
And know, and know
And know You

[Verse 1]
Though the Earth give way
Though the mountains fall to the sea
Though its waters roar
I will cling to Thee

[Verse 2]
Though the nations rage
And creation yearns for the Lord
Though the Earth may melt
I’m forever Yours

[Pre-Chorus]
There is no fear
As I look upon You

[Chorus]
I will be still
I will be still
And know
And know You are God

How long

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Yesterday I accomplished something I have not done in a long time … I got a 100% score on the Saturday New York Times News Quiz. While I am ridiculously proud of this feat, I sincerely wish the news stories were less along the lines of the lamentations of the Prohpet Habakkuk in today’s first reading:

How long, O Lord? I cry for help / but you do not listen! / I cry out to you, “Violence!” / but you do not intervene. / Why do you let me see ruin; / why must I look at misery? / Destruction and violence are before me; / there is strife, and clamorous discord. / 

Discord and strife, violence and destruction. That is what filled this week’s news quiz. It is enough to make one wonder … how does it all end. It is enough to make one despair, what can I do. How to focus on the good amidst all the messiness.

Last week I was blessed to be able to spend some time on the lake. I was working remotely some and taking some down time as well. Much of the said down time was spent looking at the lake, observing its many moods.

Often in the morning, there would be a mist floating above the waters. There is tremendous beauty there in the fog. Potential and wonder, if only we look at it. Perhaps the day will end up cloudy.

Or in beautiful sun and blue skies.

Or a mixture of the two.

Then the Lord answered me and said: / Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets, / so that one can read it readily. / For the vision still has its time, / presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; / if it delays, wait for it, / it will surely come, it will not be late. / The rash one has no integrity; / but the just one, because of his faith, shall live.

We wait. We live. We love. We work.

We don’t ignore the messy bits, but we also can’t ignore the promise and possibility. What we notice makes a difference, as does how we engage, whether it is the news headlines or the literal horizon before us. We have two eyes and a heart and God intends for us to use them for the good of the whole, for the vision still has its time. Wait for it. It will surely come. It will not be late.