Friday, January 27, 2012

January 27, 2012

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Reflection on the Spirit of the Sacred Heart
January 27, 2012
 
The Territories of Friendship
  
Many have passed along this way,
have halted evening come,
to view spread out below
the ever-widening prospect
of their golden world.
But they keep silence;
this territory is not won with guides,
for each self must find the way
and enter step by step into the promised land.
  
Excerpt of a poem by April O'Leary rscj,province of England - Wales

  


   
   For Reflection...
  
 
We are called to enter the open Heart of Christ and dwell there. ... This is the inward movement where we learn to know His Heart with all its interior dispositions. ... Jesus calls each of us to a deep, personal encounter with Him. ... To know His Heart is to love Him and to allow the Spirit to transform us so that we may radiate His love to others. Our call to contemplation, a compelling love written in our hearts by the Spirit, makes us seek and cherish prolonged times of prayer. Our union and conformity with the Heart of Jesus widens our capacity to love and to let ourselves be loved. ...We are called to be God's Heart in the world today.

Excerpt of a reflection by Helen Rosenthal, rscj, province of the United States


  
golden world 
        

Monday, January 23, 2012

January 20, 2012

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Reflection on the Spirit of the Sacred Heart
January 20, 2012
 
... people who are gentle with and kind to themselves
are the ones who are gentle and kind with others.
Those who are relaxed and calm
seem to be present to others in a relaxed and calm manner.
...the fruit of our inner work of self-acceptance
is the love of neighbor and the love of God.

Annice Callahan rscj, Province of the United States, reflecting on a work by Karl Rahner, Spirituality of the Pierced  Heart, A Reinterpretation of Devotion to the Sacred Heart 
  


   
   For Reflection...
  
 
"What would it be like if Our Lord were as exacting with you as you are with the children?" (Mother Aloysia Hardey, Assistant General, Society of the Sacred Heart 1809-1886)   

Our loving-kindness with ourselves is the source of our loving-kindness to others. When we develop this consciousness within our self and toward our self, then we can offer genuine, Christ-like love, tolerance and compassion to others.  This is the true work (and reward) of our life. 


Quote from Mother Hardey found in Keepers of the Flame, a paper by Frances Gimber, rscj November 12, 2011



   
kindness 
   

Friday, January 13, 2012

January 13, 2012

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Reflection on the Spirit of the Sacred Heart
January 13, 2012
 
  
Come celebrate life and living and love,
Let's walk hand-in-hand to discover new ways.
With our work and our sharing, our dreams will come true,
A promise of hope with every new day.
...
Fire and water, the earth and the skies
Weave all their energies into our quest
Our searching and dreams will shape all our tomorrows,
Yesterday's ghosts we now lay to rest.
  
Excerpts from a poem by Ananda Amritmahal, rscj India
  

  
  
   For Reflection...
  
 
All of you, all of us, are called to contribute to building in our world the unity which Paul describes as a fruit of the new self: "There is not Greek or Jew, slave or free, male or female for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Col 3, 11; Gal 3, 28). This new self is a call to live the reign of God, the new life of the Kingdom where all are included; where everyone has access to the resources of creation and of our world; where differences do not mean discrimination; where we learn to build communities in trust and appreciation, addressing conflict not through violence but through dialogue and reconciliation.

Excerpt from a conference given by Kathleeen Conan, rscj, Superior General
Rome January 27, 2011


   
earth water sky 
   

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

January 6, 2012

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Reflection on the Spirit of the Sacred Heart
January 6, 2012
 
  
Remember that the source of happiness
Is within ourselves.
Nothing outside can give it,
Even if you make your circumstances ideal.
Nothing can take it away.

Janet Erskine Stuart
  

  
   For Reflection...
  
As we leave the season of Christmas, hold onto the real, eternal gifts  - hope, joy, love.  As we begin a new year, we shall carry them in our hearts and in our thoughts.  We shall live them with our actions, for that is the true source of happiness, grace and light.  Our cry is answered! Emmanuel is come! God is with us; God is in us.

   
the name of love