RUSTLEHAIRED

RUSTLEHAIRED

I see her clearly

a strong, marked face

turned in amusement

towards the sun on her right

the woman of the ages,

the woman of all times.

Sister M Catherine PSN

Africa. Undated

MARY'S PRAYER

MARY'S PRAYER

You cracked open the nutshell of my being

and brought forth a kernel of everlasting sweetness.

Sister M Catherine
Africa. Undated

SONG OF MARY

SONG OF MARY

Mary's heart was holy,

her soul was full of grace.

Mary could make heaven

out of any place.

So the eager angels

saw without surprise

Mary turn a stable

into paradise.

Mary made a cradle

from a pile of hay

and filled a stall with sweetness -

so the shepherds say.

Mary's eyes were April,

her hair was summer gold;

Jesus looking up at her

forgot the dark and cold.

Mary through the ages

has not lost her art

she can make a home for Him

even in my heart.

Sister M Catherine OSU

Miraculous Medal. December 1961

From 'A Silence full of bells'

SEVENTY-SEVEN TIMES

In the phrase "seventy-seven times",

Jesus was referring to Genesis 4:24, 

where Lamech thirsted for revenge.

Seven is a significant number in

the Scriptures, symbolizing

completeness. As thirsty as Lamech

was for revenge, so thirsty must

the disciple of Jesus be for forgiveness.

Forgiving the unforgivable helps to 

stop the earthly cycle of revenge from 

one generation to the next.

APPRENTICESHIP IN THE SERVICE OF GOD

We are called to apprenticeship 

in the service of God,

in order to learn who it is 

we are really meant to be.

Jesus companions us 

on this journey.

WHO DO WE FOLLOW?

We follow a Jewish rabbi Who was willing

to go to His death rather than raise

a fist in violent resistance.

As His followers, our hands are meant for healing.

For blessing, not striking.

For comforting, not hurting.

For nurturing, not stealing.

For caring, not unkind actions.

Let us be worthy to follow the Son of God

made man. He showed us the way:

if it were easy, He would not have needed

to come in order to give us both

example and hope when our personal

cross weighs most heavy, our tears flood our eyes

and the road to God seems at times too

heavy to be borne.

It isn't. He - the Christ, the Son of the Most High -

stands at our side waiting to help us carry

our cross as Simon of Cyrene helped Him to

carry His. Be of good cheer and courage -

it is possible to live this life without hurting 

others. It takes courage, conviction and a lot of patience. With grace from God it can be done.

MARTHA, MARY, COOKING POTS AND RABBINIC STUDY

Martha asked Jesus to confirm with her

that Mary's role as woman precluded 

her from rabbinic priestly instruction

and discussion at the feet of the Rabbi;

and to oblige Mary formally to the 

role of assistant servant and cook.

Jesus refused, gently rebuking

Martha for her short-sightedness.

The discussion continues today.

Many believe the second created

to be a gender defined by humble

service and child rearing to the

exclusion of the intellectual

and passionate following of

the Rabbi Christ.

Jesus clearly showed women

that to follow Him with dedication

and in study at His Feet

is not only wise, it is blessed.

With thanks to Youtube