Today, Don and I continue our orientation to the community
we will be serving. We have already met
Fr. Yoric and a couple of town friends from Don’s youth.
We have mainly been settling into our temporary home at Sister’s
formation house and, for me especially, getting used to the cold. I have discovered that 26 degrees in
California is not the same as 26 degrees in Missouri which is damp, biting, and
generally comes with a wind that is more than a light breeze. I can’t go barefoot as I like but I dislike
socks, so, today I pick up a pair of slippers.
We have also been learning the Liturgy of the Hours and are
saying morning and evening prayers and a daily Rosary. Our Mass routine is at least four days a week. These formal prayers of our Faith are
powerful tools for opening ourselves up to what God is asking of us and the beauty
of the Psalms have been revealing themselves to us.
My private reading, this morning, from the Upper Room
booklet was from James 2: 1-9. The prayer
focus was on people who are homeless.
God of the poor, help
us to see your face in everyone who is in need. Amen.
Today’s reading is especially pointed to me as we take our
first steps on mission. We live in a
society of extremes, not the least of which is those who have much and those
who have little. My spot in the world is
as one who has just enough and, because of that, have the opportunity to give
as I can and as I choose. But, this
place, I think, has the added burden of having to judge and weigh every
opportunity that comes our way to serve.
I consider the word ‘judge’, which has such negative
connotations, to be, in reality, a good word.
I am thinking, weighing, and discerning.
I am seeking a truth that allows a decision to be made. So, I make a judgment, not for what is deemed
worthy but to discern and make a decision to act or not act. These steps can happen at the drop of a hat.
Other times, days might be taken to decide.
What is most important is that we don’t just automatically
say ‘no’ to a perceived need. Christ is
always knocking at our door. It’s up to
us to recognize the knock and answer.
Sometimes it’s easy, sometimes it takes some thought but always we are
called to listen for His knock and decide if this is a call to be answered.
5 comments:
Glad to be following you all on your mission. My love and prayers are with you as you travel across the country sharing the love of Christ.
Hugs,
Betsy
This is an incredible journey for you. You are going to learn so many things, and I think one of the most important is the decision making. You are going to return with a totally different attitude and I'm looking forward to our coffee meeting. :) Glad you're getting slippers. I was wondering how that was going to work out for you. Keep those tootsies warm. :)
Interestingly, I have written for The Upper Room and we were married in the Upper Room Chapel's side chapel. Also I bought and have received a copy of the Catholic Women's a Devotional Bible. I am using it each day. Thanks for the recommendation! Keep warm!
What a small world, Sue. So glad you ordered and are enjoying the devotional bible. Don and i just started an 8 week bible study developed by jeff Cavin. I read Genesis 1-3, 4, 6, 9, and 11:1-9 today. Tomorrow i start working in the workbook.
Note from Sue Seibert:
Loved the Liturgy of the hours when I stayed at the convent in Maryland.
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