Reflective Moments Moments Reflective February 2008
The purpose of Reflective Moments is to offer you a way to incorporate the spirit of Saint Angela Merici into your own lives. We hope that it enriches you spiritually.
Winter Contemplation By Sister Marietta Wethington, OSU
D
uring these winter months my late afternoon drive from the Mount back into Owensboro nourishes my contemplative spirit. The vast sky with its soft grayness seems to cover and enfold me. The winter trees stand against the horizon with empty branches stretching upward. My reflection tells me that their emptiness is not a barren one but an emptiness that waits in eager anticipation for what is to come. As I continue to reflect, I notice an emptiness in my inner being as well – one that I pray is not barren but will bring forth fruit just as the trees will bring forth fruit at the proper time. The outstretched arms of the trees will soon be covered with heavy buds filled with new life. But first they must be nurtured by the winter rest, fed by the nutrients from the soil and urged on by the light of the sun. Only after this period of rest, renewal, and nourishment will they burst forth with new life. Is there a more beautiful sight than the fresh greenness of the spring leaves – signifying hope and more to come? Soon the trees will bloom and after the blooms comes the fruit. My life, too, must pay attention to the darkness and the fallow time of winter. The grayness and the emptiness within me can be a source of energy if I offer it to Jesus. Nurtured by prayer and reflection, I must allow my contemplation to overflow, to bear fruit and to witness to the paschal mystery. I must strive to love as Jesus loved. I must try to create peace as Jesus created peace. I must learn to minister to people in need of a compassionate and empowering presence. I have to be brave enough to move to the margins and to the unknown. I must allow Jesus to live and act in me and to assure the world around me that there is hope – just as the barren trees and gray skies of winter witness to hope. This, I believe, is what we all are invited to do.
For Your Reflection Go with Angela to the feet of Jesus: What lessons has winter taught you? How does your prayer life help you to reach out to the neglected, the marginalized, and those without hope? As associates and vowed members, what risks are we willing to take to move from our comfort zones to the edges? What strength and inspiration do you draw from our madre, Angela? How will you use that strength and inspiration to make your part of the world a better place?
An Intentional Minute...
We invite you to join together in daily prayer for the needs of our world
The fruit of Silence is Prayer. The fruit of Prayer is Faith. The fruit of Faith is Love. The fruit of Love is Service. The fruit of Service is Peace.
--Message printed on little cards given out by Mother Teresa, which she referred to as her “business cards” (Quoted in Mother Teresa: Her Essential Wisdom–Carol Kelly-Gangi, Editor)
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