When the veil drops
Have you ever perceived veils or curtains in your life? What happens when they drop? After the passion and death of Jesus, the Gospel records that “the curtain of the temple was torn in two.” (Matt. 27:51, Lk. 23:46). Then…
Sr. Laura Hammel, osc
Read MoreWhen the veil drops
The gift of Advent and Christmas rituals
As the Christmas holidays approach, in the northern hemisphere our side of the earth grows colder and darker. The nights seem quieter, and the sun spends less time with us each day. Before our eyes, the year seems to drift…
Sight and insight
In this Gospel story a blind beggar calls twice to Jesus by his prophetic name, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” The onlookers rebuked him to be silent, yet Jesus hears his call amid the noisy crowd. Jesus…
Trusting in God’s abundance
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus shows what Divine Providence can do. From a small amount, God makes more than enough for everyone. The story begins, “…he (Jesus) knew what he was going to do,” which shows Jesus’ confidence in God’s…
How one person expanded my heart
Recently a friend died. When I saw the Facebook announcement, I could feel myself catch my breath in surprise.
We had a long history of knowing each other. Our relationship included fun and delight at times and frustration at other times. It was for me a real relationship...
Speaking truthfully and living with intention
Dianne and I have recently made a major life change. We moved from Saginaw, Michigan, where we resided for 33 years, to live with the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters in Illinois.
Leaving Saginaw and those many years of blessings, I am still making thoughtful choices about what to pack and what to let go. By setting aside habits that are no longer useful, I can focus my intention on being truthful and inviting the sunshine of the Spirit to be ever-present in my new home...
Service of our hands helps tell ‘the story of our heart’
Several weeks ago, I was listening to a podcast. At the end of this podcast was a meditation by Pir Zia Inayat Khan that caught my attention. I found his words inspiring and relevant to my life right now.
This meditation took me back to those nagging life questions. "Why am I here?" "What is the meaning of life?"...
The gift of Advent rituals
As the Christmas holidays approach, in the northern hemisphere our side of the earth grows colder and darker.
As we move through this dark season, we are blessed with the gift of many important Advent and Christmas rituals that help to defeat the darkness and to keep warmth and light glowing in our souls...
Changing the balance of love
As members of a contemplative community, people often ask us, “What is contemplative prayer?”
When I pray, my desire is to consciously focus on opening my heart to the presence of God in my life...it helps me to trust God more and to have more compassion for others...
The Canaanite woman spoke for us
We had just completed evening prayer and we were at dinner, when one of the sisters said, “I have been waiting until we are all together to tell you about a phone call that I received today.”
She told us that a man named Jack, seemed very connected to her father. Sister, asked bluntly, “Jack, are you thinking that we have the same father?"...