![The Dangerous, Revolutionary, Subversive Mother of God Today's Gospel: Luke 1:46-56 We've heard Mary's "Magnificat" so often that I think we may have forgotten its subversive, revolutionary, dangerous power. Her song of praise ("Magnificat" is the first word of the lines in Latin: "My soul magnifies the Lord...") is stunning in its implications. Consider for a moment these lines: "[God] has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things and the rich he has sent away empty." Got that? The proud, or in another translation of the Greek, the "arrogant in their attitudes of themselves" are scattered, as if they were enemies on the run. Those who feel superior to everyone, those who dominate, those who oppress, are in for a big surprise. More, says Mary: the mighty are "cast down," or "pulled down" from their thrones, an almost physical tearing away of power by God. And those who are humble are exalted. And then the most shocking turnabout of all: the hungry, the poor, the beggars, the marginalized, are filled. And not just filled--but filled with "good things" (Greek: agathon) While the rich ones God sends away empty (kenous). Social justice? Preferential option for the poor? Income redistribution? Yes, yes and yes. And much more than that. An utter reversal of social expectations, a dramatic reordering of society, an ushering in of a new worldview, which comes about with what Luke calls the "rise and fall of many" in his Gospel. This is God's vision, and for those who are tempted to think that the current status quo--where the wealthy oppress the poor, where so many go hungry, and where millions are homeless--is what God desires, think again. If you doubt this vision of the reign of God, don't listen to me: Listen to Mary. We tend to think of Mary as a docile woman. And indeed she was docile to God, but had the courage to ask a question of the Angel Gabriel and to assent to God's request without needing to ask any men in her life--her father or her betrothed. This is an independent and strong woman who speaks of God's complete reversal of what we have come to think of as "normal." And if you think Mary's vision for the world is subversive, wait till you meet her son.](http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s480x480/281781_10151135431171496_1499668163_n.jpg)
Posted by Sister Florence Vales
Mary sings- My Soul Magnifies the Lord – As we hurry toward the Coming of Emmauel Let us Sing with Mary.
December 22, 2012 by
O Antiphons begin on December 17th and continues to December 23rd. A Wonderful meditation on the fullness of both Testaments that ends with the coming of the Messiah and for us, beyond.
December 15, 2012 by
Posted by Sister Florence Vales OSC
Our Lady of Guadalupe- December 12
December 12, 2012 by
Today is Thomas Merton’s Birthday. Merton was a Trappist Monk and Father James Martin SJ does an excellent job in presenting Merton’s life in this video
December 10, 2012 by
Posted by Sister Florence Vales OSC
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
December 5, 2012 by
Altar of Immaculate Conceptionpainting by Bianchi, 1740
mosaic, 1744-47
mosaic, 1744-47
At St. Peter’s Basilica
The Immaculate Conception from Catholic Answers
It’s important to understand what the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is and what it is not. Some people think the term refers to Christ’s conception in Mary’s womb without the intervention of a human father; but that is the Virgin Birth. Others think the Immaculate Conception means Mary was conceived “by the power of the Holy Spirit,” in the way Jesus was, but that, too, is incorrect. The Immaculate Conception means that Mary, whose conception was brought about the normal way, was conceived without original sin or its stain—that’s what “immaculate” means: without stain. The essence of original sin consists in the deprivation of sanctifying grace, and its stain is a corrupt nature. Mary was preserved from these defects by God’s grace; from the first instant of her existence she was in the state of sanctifying grace and was free from the corrupt nature original sin brings.
When discussing the Immaculate Conception, an implicit reference may be found in the angel’s greeting to Mary. The angel Gabriel said, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28). The phrase “full of grace” is a translation of the Greek word kecharitomene. It therefore expresses a characteristic quality of Mary.
The traditional translation, “full of grace,” is better than the one found in many recent versions of the New Testament, which give something along the lines of “highly favored daughter.” Mary was indeed a highly favored daughter of God, but the Greek implies more than that (and it never mentions the word for “daughter”). The grace given to Mary is at once permanent and of a unique kind.Kecharitomene is a perfect passive participle of charitoo, meaning “to fill or endow with grace.” Since this term is in the perfect tense, it indicates that Mary was graced in the past but with continuing effects in the present. So, the grace Mary enjoyed was not a result of the angel’s visit. In fact, Catholics hold, it extended over the whole of her life, from conception onward. She was in a state of sanctifying grace from the first moment of her existence.
And what is the lesson Mary and the Church teaches us from this Feast.
As Mary surrendered to all in her life so we need to do the same and this comes through prayer, the great means of grace, the sacraments but especially the Eucharist; a love of suffering through accepting what comes our way. This is not easy and seems very ordinary but it is the path of Holiness. Posted by Sister Florence Vales OSC
Advent 2012- We gather around our Advent Wreath to begin the Celebration of Advent
December 1, 2012 by
Sister Miriam, our Abbess, sprinkles holy Water on our Advent Wreath.
The Advent wreath lights up the beginning of this Holy Season. May we also have light to our eyes and peace in our hearts to begin again our preparation for Christmas. Advent is a time to go back to the desert spots in our hearts where we find we are empty and of need of the right kind of fulfillment in our lives. Christ calls us out of this darkness to walk with each other in the light of His coming every day in the present NOW.
Posted by Sister Florence Vales OSC
The Year of Faith
November 14, 2012 by
Year of Faith: Oct. 11, 2012-Nov. 24, 2013
“…They called the church together and reported what God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith…”(Acts 14:27).
In the Acts of the Apostles, we learn that God has opened the door of faith for the early Church.But did you know that God has opened the door of faith for each one of us and he invites us to step through the threshold into a deeper relationship with him.The upcoming Year of Faith is an opportunity for every Catholic to turn towards Jesus Christ, encounter him in the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and rediscover the Faith and Church.
With his Apostolic Letter of October 11, 2011, Porta Fidei. . . , Pope Benedict XVI declared that a “Year of Faith” will begin on October 11, 2012 and conclude on November 24, 2013. October 11, 2012, the first day of the Year of Faith, is the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. . . (Vatican II) and also the twentieth anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. During the Year of Faith, Catholics are asked to study and reflect on the documents of Vatican II and the catechism so that they may deepen their knowledge of the faith.
“The ‘door of faith’ (Acts14:27) is always open for us, ushering us into the life of communion with God and offering entry into his Church.”
-Pope Benedict XVI, Apostolic Letter Porta Fidei for the Indiction of the Year of Faith.
The upcoming Year of Faith is a “summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the One Savior of the world” (Porta Fidei 6). In other words, the Year of Faith is an opportunity for Catholics to experience a conversion – to turn back to Jesus and enter into a deeper relationship with him. The “door of faith” is opened at one’s baptism, but during this year Catholics are called to open it again, walk through it and rediscover and renew their relationship with Christ and his Church.
Posted by Sister Florence Vales OSC
Feast of the Dedication of The Basilica of St. John Laternan
November 9, 2012 by
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Although many of the major events in Saint Francis’ life are commemorated in Assisi, where we are headed on Monday, we did come across some wonderful tributes to Franciscanism today.First, we visited Saint John Lateran or San Giovanni in Laterano, the Cathedral of Rome. This is where Saint Francis asked Pope Innocent III for approval to live the gospel life. To Francis, this meant to literally live as Jesus did. The Pope was unsure at first since what Francis asked for was so different. However, he had a dream of a man holding up the Church and he interpreted that man to be Francis. Thus, Francis received oral approval from the Pope. Lateran is also where Francis participated in a pastoral council in 1215 that focused on calling a crusade (which he was against) and a renewal of the Church (in which he played a big role.)
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In the front of Saint John Lateran, there is a statue of Francis with his arms in the air. We unfortunately didn’t have time to see for ourselves, but Siena President Fr. Kevin Mullen says that if you walk about a quarter mile past the statue and turn around, it looks as if Saint Francis is literally holding up Saint John Lateran Cathedral.
Posted by sister Florence Vales OSC |
Fall at the Monstery of Saint Clare in Chesterfield, NJ
October 23, 2012 by
Thoughts from Evelyn Underwood
Everything is sacrament and spirit finds Spirit in the lilies of the field and the fall of the year, no less than in the unknowable God.
Underhill quotes Clement of Alexandria,”A beautiful breathing instrument of music, the Lord made us, wheron the spirit of Life”makes Melody to God”. ..the freshness of eternal springs would speak to us in the primrose and the trees…all things rush on, they stop not, they look not behind, no power can hold them back, they rush on. Keeping steps with that restless rapid music, seasons come dancing and pass away-colours, tunes and perfumes pour in endless cascades in the abounding joy that scatters and gives up and dies every moment…be glad with the gladness of this rhythm.
Posted by Sister Florence Vales OSC
