Family Rosary World at Prayer

Judgments

Posted on Mar 8, 2014 9:00:00 AM Margaret Wehrung 0 Comments Add a comment

judgment-of-Jesus
When we think of Jesus being judged, we automatically think of Pontius Pilot. He was the one who had Jesus scourged. He was the one who washed his hands of the entire affair and thus decided the fate of Jesus.

But Jesus was being judged long before this. He was judged by his own people when he preached in the synagogue. They “knew” Jesus and he certainly couldn’t be the Messiah.

Jesus was continually being judged by the Pharisees. They tested him over and over again because they were sure he was in the wrong and surely they would catch him with his own words.

He was even judged by Peter who exclaimed, “God forbid, Lord, this will never happen to you,” when Jesus told them he must suffer and die. Jesus responded to Peter, “Get behind me Satan. You are not on the side of God but of man.” (Mt 16; 23.)

It seems so common in our everyday lives to judge others. We look at how a person is dressed, or at their size, or at their behavior and decide what kind of a person they are. We then act on our perceptions without ever doubting our own judgments.

What I find myself doing all too often when someone is sharing their situation with me is that rather than just listen, I determine what would be best for them and how they should fix what I perceive to be their “real” problem. I know that when I do this, or make any kind of judgment, I’m no longer seeing the other for who they are or what their experience of life is. Not only do I not know what lessons they are trying and needing to learn but I am also depriving myself of their wisdom, their gifts, and God’s presence in their lives.

I am determined to work on this during Lent. I know awareness is the first step, from there I must go to prayer and practice. Please say a prayer that I may grow during this Lenten Season and be assured my prayers are going out to you.

Palm Branches, Ashes and a Crown

Posted on Mar 4, 2014 9:00:00 AM Beth Mahoney 4 Comments Add a comment

Ash-Wednesday-beginning-of-Lent
Tomorrow we will observe the solemn day of Ash Wednesday – the beginning of Lent.

In her wisdom, the church provides us with 40 days to focus on how we are doing in life. It is like an evaluation of our journey with God. This time allows us to step back and review all aspects of our life including our moments of prayer.

We receive the ashes on our forehead as a sign of:

Our need for repentance
Our belief in a loving and forgiving God
Our desire to improve our life

The ashes come from Palm Sunday when we celebrate the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and the enthusiastic crowds waved palm branches singing, “Hosanna! Hosanna!”

Yet only days later these same people were shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” And a crown was placed on Jesus’ head and He was mocked.

These events help us to reflect on how honest we are when relating with others. Do we wave palm branches then discredit others and even place crowns on their heads by the way we treat them?

I’ve seen this take place in my own life. People are afraid to tell the truth because of the fear of what others might do. Bullying is a major problem in our world – it starts with people near to us and spreads to larger groups.

During our Lenten journey, let us take a serious look at our lives …how we wave the palm branches … why we receive ashes … and to whom do we place crowns on.

If you have a moment, let me know how you plan to live this Lenten season.

Topics: relationships, lent, feast days

Setting Prisoners Free

Posted on Mar 2, 2014 8:29:00 AM Margaret Wehrung 3 Comments Add a comment

In June of 1979 Mother Teresa came to Saint Louis to establish her second community in the U.S., the first one already having been established in Harlem. While in town, she gave a presentation at the convention center to hundreds of people. I was blessed to be one of so many and was struck by how tiny this internationally acclaimed “Saint of the Gutter” was. (As described in the St. Louis Review and in the St. Louis Post Dispatch.)

Mother Teresa began her talk saying that she had never seen so much poverty as she has witnessed in the United States. All around the world she found economical poverty but in the U.S. she experienced the poverty of the heart which was so much more difficult to mend. She said she had been overwhelmed by the loneliness she had been experiencing everywhere she visited. People were in their own prisons for whatever reason; not necessarily connected to friends or family even when they were in close proximity. I dare say, this is most likely just as true or perhaps more so today even though we are in constant communication through texting, messaging and e-mail.

But how do we reach out to people even from our own prison cells? Looking back and revisiting her suggestions, I am amazed I had forgotten what she had offered as a potential remedy. She said that families needed to pray together. She quoted, without perhaps even knowing it, Father Peyton’s famous line that “the family that prays together stays together.”

In today’s world, it is all too rare that families even eat together much less pray together. How do we know that we are not alone? When we remember that 93% of our communication is non-verbal how can we communicate what is in our hearts? Our homes are the most likely place to practice and learn how to share our love and feelings. Family prayer and meals are means to this end. May we pause to ponder how we are setting the lonely free in our own homes.

Topics: prayer, the-family-that-prays-together-stays-together, saints

Abe and George – What Did They Teach Us?

Posted on Feb 19, 2014 2:04:00 PM Beth Mahoney 4 Comments Add a comment

President-Lincoln-inspires-service

I share my birthday with President Abraham Lincoln.

Not to the surprise of my friends but there are a few years difference in age between us!

This coming week in the United States we celebrate President’s Day to honor two presidents who provided the people of our country with dignity and human rights, and initiated a process for a better life.

Today we are faced with some of the same issues that President Washington and President Lincoln were addressing. There are still people who are bullied, harassed and abused … those who are discriminated against …those whose basic daily human needs are not met.

I help people in these circumstances through my involvement with the St. Vincent de Paul Society. This organization strives to provide the basic human needs for all and assist those in need … those who are the outcast, downtrodden and without a voice.

Each week, each day, there are people who need our help.

No doubt this weekend they’ll be many advertisements of great sale prices to commemorate these two men. Instead I ask you to commemorate them by remembering what they tirelessly worked for.

How do we serve our country and the people who are in need? In what ways do you render service to those in need?

Topics: service, inspiration, holiday

Dropping Pebbles into Water

Posted on Feb 14, 2014 9:00:00 AM Beth Mahoney 15 Comments Add a comment

student-receives-communion-from-Bishop-Coleman
Yesterday I had the privilege of joining a friend who was honored at a local high school for her 40 plus years of service as a math and science teacher and for her commitment and contributions to Catholic Education. The new science wing was named in her honor and that of her father, a teacher and coach.

Combined they had over 80 years of service teaching and coaching!

The entire student body was present for Mass with Bishop George W. Coleman, bishop of Fall River, MA, followed by the dedication of the new science wing. The celebration concluded with a luncheon.

In his homily, Bishop Coleman challenged the students to prayer. He invited them to make a difference in the world. To begin now … today! To welcome this encounter with Jesus and serve the church, our society and the world. He told them not to be afraid to reach out, take chances and be courageous.

He shared the example of Mother Teresa, who when asked if she was making a difference in the world, responded, I throw a pebble into the water and it ripples.

His homily was awe inspiring and thought provoking for everyone present. It was perfect for this celebration honoring the legacy of two individuals whose lives exemplified what it is to have an encounter with Jesus and make a difference.

The day was special for another reason … the birthday of the bishop! The entire student body sang a round of “Happy Birthday” to the bishop, who was noticeably moved.

How do we make a difference in the church, our society and the world? What pebble do we dare drop into the water to make a ripple effect?

Topics: school, inspiration, saints