Sr. M. Consolata Crews FSGM's blog

I don't think I've laughed this much in a long time!  Young people are great, are they not?  I wish you could have joined me for the pilgrimage to New York to see Pope Benedict XVI!  You too would have witnessed just how awesome young people can be!

I was so edified by their witness of joy, of flexibility, of being positive in the midst of changes, and really just living in the moment!  I didn't hear any complaining and there really could have been some when an 18 hour bus ride increased to 20, or when attending a Pre-Papal Youth Rally ended up being more time on the bus than at the Rally itself.  It certainly was a pilgrimage!…and one not to be forgotten! 

So, how is your Easter season?  Are you even aware that we are still celebrating?  We are at the end of Week 4 and I loved last Sunday - Good Shepherd Sunday! 

Have you been listening to the words of our Holy Father during his visit?  I have only had a chance to watch the Evening Prayer and address last night with the bishops.  As you may know, his theme for this visit is "Christ our hope."  A phrase he said last night stood out to me: "…find new life in Christ our hope."  New life.  After lent have you found new life in Christ?  Is there a sense of living a new hope?  Being re-created in Christ?  Being a new creature?  Experiencing new life?

There are certain events that happen that you will remember where you were when you heard the news.  Many can recall where they were and what they were doing when President Kennedy died or when they heard the news on 9-11-01. 

Today is one of those days especially for Catholics.  Where were you when you heard the news of Pope John Paul II's death?  For me personally, I had just arrived that day in the Netherlands for a pre-planning trip for World Youth Day.  After Mass and dinner with the local Bishop, my co-workers and I said goodnight for the evening.  A few hours later, after just falling asleep, I awoke to bells ringing.  It was about 10pm.  I knew in my heart that Pope John Paul II had died.  Why else would the bells of the Church be ringing and ringing? 

A common question I get asked is “What’s your vocation story?”  I first have to judge how much time there is before I begin the answer!  Do I share the short or the detailed version?  How much is this person really interested in the details?  In reality, I just begin to talk and the Holy Spirit guides what part of the story to share.

We all have a vocation story.  A priest told me before I entered the convent that I would be sharing my story over and over again.  He then added, (I paraphrase), “Remember, this story isn’t for you.  It’s for others.”  In other words, I needed to be prepared to share my story.  Even if I didn’t feel like it was a big deal or didn’t want the focus on myself, I needed to be ready to share it because the Lord would use it for other people.

As we reflect on this Friday of the first week of lent….remember…

His mercy endures forever!  Do not despair, but trust in His mercy and believe!  FOREVER does His mercy endure.  That's a long time!

Merry Christmas!  Yes, the Church knows how to celebrate.  The Christmas Season does not end on Christmas Day, but we celebrate for 8 days!  The Christmas Octave!

I invite you to enter into these days of grace and celebration!  Spend some time with the Christ-Child at the Crib.  Sit in silence and receive His love.  Sit with Mary and adore Him.  Let her show you her Son’s tender love.  Rest on the Heart of Christ! 

Question.

Answer.

Today I will ask you the questions and you will provide the answers.  Okay?  Okay.

Let's begin.

1.  What do you make sure you have time for in your life everyday?

2.  Do you set aside time to pray - you, know, develop that relationship with Jesus, talk with Him - every day?  Now, I'm not talking about just when you happen to think of Jesus, or talk to Him on the way to work, but actually setting aside a specific time of day, place, and amount of time to spend with the Lord. 

3.  How often do you participate in the sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation?

Today someone used this word in a context that was new for me.  I quote, "Isn't His Love so Crazy?  And shouldn't we become a little more crazy about Him and His Love at each phase of our lives?"

This is certainly something to ponder.  Webster's Dictionary defines crazy as "mad : insane; consumed by enthusiasm or excitement; not sensible : impractical". 

Hmmmmmm…..yes, His love is Crazy!  Does it make sense that our Lord would suffer for us, for me?  That He loves me in the midst of my sin?  He died for love of me!  On a human level, no, it doesn't make sense.

"Saint Francis never criticized anybody. He believed that if evil is all around, it is he and not others who must first be converted."

(The Gift of Faith, pg. 157)

Ouch!  This hits to the core of the heart, doesn't it?  I think this says it all!  How easy it is to fall into criticism.  What is needed instead is silence and self reflection on my own need for conversion. 

A couple of weeks ago a phrase came to me in prayer.  Simply, “let the children come to Me.”  That’s it.  No explanation or more direction was given, but simply “let the children come to Me.”

As I was thinking more about it, a question came to mind.  Am a hindrance to His children coming to Him?  Am I a block, so to speak, through my own sinfulness and selfishness?  Or, do I bring His children to His Heart?  Do I lead His children to His blessing?  Am I vessel?

So, I read the full scripture passage from Matthew 19:13-15,

“At one point, children were brought to him so that he could place his hands on them in prayer.  The disciples began to scold them, but Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me.  Do not hinder them.  The kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’  And he laid his hands on their heads before he left that place.”