- We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song”? How can we daily be “Easter people” but still have a special time for enjoying Easter? In other words, how can we be Easter people during the tough days of Lent?
- Often we try to find joy by filling ourselves with food, entertainment, exercise, excessive devotions, etc. It’s the age-old conundrum. In our weakness, we tend to become self-centered. Instead, God’s logic is the reverse. God tells us to empty ourselves in order to be filled. How might we learn this art and virtue of self-emptying?
- Even if God’s logic goes against our often selfish logic, how can we understand this concept that Calvary (self-sacrifice, death, etc.) is the height of love and joy? Especially when it comes to explaining it to those who are struggling with coming to faith in God?
- No matter what way of life one chooses (e.g., Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, atheist, etc.), we all have to face the reality of suffering. Suffering is not unique to Christians. We are all going to suffer in some way, no matter what. How can our faith (and the above reflection) help us see suffering positively? How can it help us see it differently than others who simply try to run and hide from it?
- SrSusan (guest): How did you find this chat topic? A little overwhelming?
- Lisa C: I found it very interesting and it made me appreciate my first school
- May 10 2015, 7:26 PM
- Carol Ann: This does seem to be a deeper topic than some, but maybe not too difficult for us
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- Anne M: This topic is great. We have been redeemed by God Almighty. This thought gets me through the tough days.
- May 10 2015, 7:27 PM
- SrSusan (guest): Lisa did you want me to post what you sent today
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- SrSusan (guest): from Lisa: One needs to experience the “pleasures” of the world for a while to see how hollow they are. None of it lasts, and none of it satisfies any yearning. These worldly things do not really make me happy or give any lasting joy. In contrast, time spent with Jesus gives me amazing peace. Nothing else matters except being with Him. This peace is something that I want everyone whom I love to have. We are called to love everyone, and I want everyone to share in the peace of Christ. Surrendering my wi
- May 10 2015, 7:29 PM
- SrSusan (guest): Surrendering my will to His lets me know that anything I do is for Him so that He can work through me. If I pray to allow this, I can let God lead me to where He wants me to be, and this also gives me peace.
- May 10 2015, 7:29 PM
- Judy K: Hi Everyone! Happy Mothers’ Day to all of you Moms. May your children rise up and call you blessed!
- May 10 2015, 7:30 PM
- SrSusan (guest): Learning the art of self emptying is not only up to us, but God gives us many opportunites during the day. I often miss them but I realize He was trying to help me get empty2 PMSrSusan (guest): Learning the art of self emptying is not only up to us, but God gives us many opportunites during the day. I often miss them but I realize He was trying to help me get empty
May 10 2015, 7:33 PM
Guest4511 (guest): Hi Sister ! Hi everyone one ! Brian Thank you all for prayers for Kairos Prison Ministry two weeks ago we had awesome night of sharing on discipleship even the guards were sharing openly with us ! Praise God
May 10 2015, 7:33 PM
Dawn L: Hello Mother Susan, and everyone here. This is beautiful meditation LIsa!
May 10 2015, 7:33 PM
SrSusan (guest): One’s whole framework oflife may be designed for self emptying but the little events during the day and our choices in those events may not fill that framework the way it is laid out
May 10 2015, 7:34 PM
SrSusan (guest): Hi Brian! How did you get involved in this ministry? That’s one that calls for self giving
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SrSusan (guest): And it is so true when we are in a vulnerable state we pull back into ourselvesM
Judy K: Well all you Easter People! We entered into the sufferings of Jesus. If we made a truly sacrificial Lent. Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection means even more to us. the “world” celebrates with Easter finery, Easter bunnies and chicks, and candy. But we celebrate with the finery of heards renewed and cleansed again the “waters of Baptism” with which we are sprinkled. We have been redeemed and our Redeemer lives forever. PM
Carol Ann: how do you keep yourself from pulling back, Sr? 9 PM
Judy K: This knowledge should uphold and support us even during Lent. We know the outcome. All of our lives should be spent in rejoicing in His living presence among us and that we can look forward to spending eternity with Him.
SrSusan (guest): It’s more like asking for forgiveness after I do, Carol. It takes my running to Jesus to prevent those moments of selfishness or quickly pulling out of them, with my prayer to Him immediately
2015, 7:40 PM
SrSusan (guest): I fall more than I prevent, unfortunately
Carol Ann: That sounds like me too!
Judy K: Mother, if you fall so often, what hope is there for the rest of us!
Lisa C: I think it is hard not to fall on hilly terrain, and this world is hillyMay 10 2015, 7:41 PM
SrSusan (guest): Possibly more hope! You are all strong enough to live in the worldLisa C: Mother, you are strong enough to live out of the world praying for us all!
May 10 2015, 7:42 PM
Anne M: Very hilly, no matter where you are.
May 10 2015, 7:42 PM
Guest4511 (guest): One of the members of our church spoke about Kairos and I felt deep in my heart that God wanted me to get involved ! I signed up to pray for men on long retreat weekend was first step ! I wrestled with God a little about going into Prison I thought it was too much like my job ! I work with people who have severe mental illness for almost 30 years . Then I trusted God and I have had an incredible 8 years of learning and growing in community ! God is awesome !
May 10 2015, 7:42 PM
SrSusan (guest): HE LOVES US
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Dawn L: at some point , it becomes those interior mountains more than things of the world
May 10 2015, 7:43 PM
Carol Ann: It is harder to be in the word in some ways, and harder to be in the monastery in others
May 10 2015, 7:43 PM
SrSusan (guest): Brian, that is a tremendous vocation you have too!
4 PM
SrSusan (guest): Interior mountains- yes Dawn Even the saints had thosePM
Judy K: I am beginning to find myself in the position of living an increasingly solitary life since I cannot get around as easily as I did even a year ago. I feel as if I becoming self-centered and more concerned about myself than ever before. Maybe I am alone too much, but I feel as if I am losing ground physically, emotionally and spiritually. 6 PM
Anne M: Judy, you may be emptying out purgatory!
May 10 2015, 7:46 PM
Dawn L: Judy, I think of the saints, like Sr Susan mentions, many of them led solitary lives and their writings can help guide us
May 10 2015, 7:46 PM
Judy K: I’ll be lucky if I can keep myself out of purgatory.
May 10 2015, 7:46 PM
SrSusan (guest): I can understand that- which is why community is such a help and a challenge.The parish community and the Salesains are there for you and you for them, though
Guest4511 (guest): When you know God wants you to do something do it ! You will see why later ! He has helped me in every aspect of my life by volunteering where He called me ! PM
Carol Ann: It is hard living by yourself not to see things from only your own perspective
May 10 2015, 7:47 PM
Anne M: Purgatory is His Mercy too! Although we shouldn’t aim for it, but higher. So we don’t miss
Judy K: I can’t be with them enough. We meet only once a month and I can only get to Mass on Sundays.
5, 7:48 PM
Carol Ann: I have been in the same position Judy
Dawn L: its easy to get caught up in to much self thought when you are living alone
5, 7:49 PM
Dawn L: I mean, I struggle with this as well
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:50 PM
Dawn L: Judy if I lived near you, I would come so we could pray together! and read outloud, 7:50 PM
SrSusan (guest): This is something to explore more fully since at least 3 of us here have had this experience5, 7:51 PM
Lisa C: Skype prayer?
May 10 2015, 7:51 PM
Judy K: I think that I need to use an old cognitive-behavioral therapy on myself. It is called thought stopping. When these negative thoughts enter my mind, I should say, out loud, Stop. And replace the negative thought with a positive one, preferably a spiritually one. And thank you Dawn!
52 PM
Dawn L: Skype….I attend the bible study on skype. it works pretty good
May 10 2015, 7:52 PM
SrSusan (guest): And true, an immediate prayer for someone else may bring balance back
- Carol Ann: the new order I’m exploring also has phone meetings for people who live too far away fom others in the order to meet physicallyMay 10 2015, 7:54 PM
Dawn L: Judy, just thought of this saying from a movie….harness the good, block the bad. it was a silly comedy.
May 10 2015, 7:54 PM
Guest4511 (guest): I have a friend who has lost his wife and his son and serves the community with great joy ! His prayers have aided my family powerfully ! He visits a nearby Monastary and is able to speak one to one with Monks ! He said that this time of counsel has aided him soo much ! The perception of the Monks is incredible and their client walk with God helps them to help others !
, 7:54 PM
Anne M: Jesus promised that He will not reject anyone who wants to come to him. We are all different parts in the same body. Not meant to all function the same. If I were an ear, where would the sight be. 5 PM
SrSusan (guest): He moved from suffering to joy
May 10 2015, 7:55 PM
Guest4511 (guest): We have a great Family !!!
May 10 2015, 7:55 PM
Anne M: Judy, from chatting with you it is obvious you seek the Lord
May 10 2015, 7:55 PM
Dawn L: the topic
May 10 2015, 7:55 PM
SrSusan (guest): Lisa wrote: St. Margaret Mary expresses joyful acceptance of suffering, “My Saviour! I cheerfully accept all the painful dispositions, in which it is Thy pleasure to place me. My wish is in all things to conform myself to Thy holy will. Whenever I kiss Thy cross, it is to show that I submit perfectly to mine. Amen.”
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Anne M: Judy, from chatting with you it is obvious you seek the Lord
SrSusan (guest): Lisa wrote: St. Margaret Mary expresses joyful acceptance of suffering, “My Saviour! I cheerfully accept all the painful dispositions, in which it is Thy pleasure to place me. My wish is in all things to conform myself to Thy holy will. Whenever I kiss Thy cross, it is to show that I submit perfectly to mine. Amen.”
May 10 2015, 7:56 PM
SrSusan (guest): also: St. Faustina tells us that, “Suffering is the greatest treasure on earth; it purifies the soul. In suffering, we learn who our true friend is.” St. Therese of Lisieux expresses it best, “Suffering is the very best gift He has to give us. He gives it only to His chosen friends.” I say that if something will make Jesus my friend it will give me great joy!
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Judy K: If I did not have a decent relationship with Jesus, I don’t know if I could get through this. But I ask Him to permit me to enter through the wound in His side into His loving, merciful heart and to keep me safe there, because indeed, only there can I be safe.
May 10 2015, 7:57 PM
Carol Ann: Yes, Judy, that’s it!
7:57 PM
Dawn L: this was 4th question Sr Susan wrote in topic….how to see suffering positively
May 10 2015, 7:57 PM
Judy K: St. Gertrude says that Jesus is very pleased whenever someone kisses a crucifix
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SrSusan (guest): A few years ago I read a book which I mentioned here before that explained suffering as the height of loving
May 10 2015, 8:00 PM
SrSusan (guest): It was called under the gaze of the Father I think
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Lisa C: Does anyone think that the more uncomfortable you are the more comfortable you get with discomfort?
Dawn L: 3- how to understand sufferng, height of love and joy, what is God’s logic?
- Lisa C: Does anyone think that the more uncomfortable you are the more comfortable you get with discomfort?May 10 2015, 8:00 PM
Dawn L: 3- how to understand sufferng, height of love and joy, what is God’s logic?
May 10 2015, 8:01 PM
SrSusan (guest): Interesting Lisa. One gets used to it?
May 10 2015, 8:01 PM
Lisa C: People are really strong
May 10 2015, 8:01 PM
Lisa C: I do not know whether you get used to it
May 10 2015, 8:01 PM
Dawn L: accepting maybe…onto gratitude?
May 10 2015, 8:01 PM
Guest4511 (guest): Longsuffering is a fruit of the Spirit that our culture does not want to understand ! Those who suffer with our Lord Jesus have such a powerful impact on our lives and increase our Faith ! Remember Mother Theresa !
May 10 2015, 8:01 PM
SrSusan (guest): I think the book said that suffering proves our love for God. It is easy to love when things are easy in general
May 10 2015, 8:01 PM
Lisa C: Just think that it was much harder to suffer when I was younger
May 10 2015, 8:01 PM
Judy K: Question 2 is about self-emptying. We must empty ourselves of everyhthing that is not God. If we are already “filled” with many things, there is no room for Him. We must be empty for Him to fill us. We can learn this self-emptying by practicing small acts of self-denial every day–passing up a treat, refraining from complaining or criticizing, doing what a friend wants to do rather than what we want to do, putting aside time for prayer, giving our time to someone else.
May 10 2015, 8:01 PM
Dawn L: thank you Brian!
May 10 2015, 8:02 PM
SrSusan (guest): You probbaly love God more now Lisa and so it is easier Saints cried out for suffering sometimes because of Love
- Lisa C: I do not know whether I love Him more, I think He has supported me in the past so now I know I can depend on Him. I guess I am less fearfulMay 10 2015, 8:03 PM
Lisa C: I hope that I love Him more and more, not sure how to measure that
May 10 2015, 8:04 PM
SrSusan (guest): I don’t think we can or should actually
May 10 2015, 8:04 PM
Judy K: Maybe my present state is a way of being emptied out. I so want Him to fill me up again.
May 10 2015, 8:04 PM
SrSusan (guest): Very possible Judy
04 PM
Guest4511 (guest): One of greatest action of self emptying is truly listening to others !
May 10 2015, 8:04 PM
Anne M: Solanus Casey says suffering is God kissing us.
May 10 2015, 8:04 PM
Lisa C: Judy ask Blessed Mother to lead you to Him
5 PM
Judy K: I am actually asking Jesus to lead me to His mother. My devotion to her is not what it should be. 5, 8:06 PM
Lisa C: Blessed Mother is very humble and she wants you to be devoted to her Son. If you are, then you are devoted to her.
May 10 2015, 8:06 PM
Carol Ann: Perhaps you are going through a period of solitary life to reconnect you to Mary and Jesus
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Guest4511 (guest): It’s important to take breaks when we need too and to have fun !!! Jesus taught us this also ! M
SrSusan (guest): I found reading 33 Days to Morning Glory moved my heart towards the Blessed Mother in a powerful way
May 10 2015, 8:09 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Hello! We just had a photo/art presentation of Annie Goetze’s work.
May 10 2015, 8:09 PM
SrSusan (guest): Oh great! Glad she got there!
:09 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: You’ll be seeing them tomorrow – gorgeous and very inspiring of our sisters in Annecy
May 10 2015, 8:09 PM
Lisa C: How long will her art be in Georgetown, Sister?
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Judy K: Question 3 is regarding the concept that Calvary is the height of love and joy. (Hi Sister and Happy Mothers’ Day.) Calvary, Jesus’ total self-emptying, makes it possible for Him to remain with us always. His body broken and His blood poured out, becomes present in the Eucharist in which He remains with us as He promised.
- Mary Roberta Viano: She’s going to check out places for her art here on campus, so she can come later this year.
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Mary Roberta Viano: She’ll be in Brooklyn for a week.
May 10 2015, 8:10 PM
Dawn L: sometimes I am tempted to begin to much self focus, and then my own personal suffering. what redirects me, well prayer first , but how the world, people, little children are suffering.
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Dawn L: sometimes I am tempted to begin to much self focus, and then my own personal suffering. what redirects me, well prayer first , but how the world, people, little children are suffering.
May 10 2015, 8:10 PM
Judy K: This is a great act of love, giving and the cause of our joy.
May 10 2015, 8:11 PM
Dawn L: what redirects me in prayer is the grace of God
May 10 2015, 8:11 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Annie’s photos are an act of love toward her aunt and all our sisters.
May 10 2015, 8:11 PM
Lisa C: I am not sure that self focus is always bad, maybe we can look at where God wants our suffering to lead us.
MPM
Mary Roberta Viano: That’s where spiritual direction comes in handy! PM
Carol Ann: good spiritual directors are worth their weight in gold13 PM
Anne M: found this video on aleteia.org. http://www.aleteia.org/en/video/video-a-love-letter-to-isis-from-the-people-of-the-cross-5888499987251200
Video: A Love Letter to ISIS From the People of the Cross – Aleteia
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Guest4511 (guest): Mary knows what hurts her Son ! Look around your community and see if there is something you can do to relieve the pain Jesus is feeling for those people ! Serve others as Jesus and Mary do usPM
Mary Roberta Viano: and that’s the beauty of religious life and the vow of obedience that takes our focus away from self.
- Mary Roberta Viano: As St. Paul points out, ” The life I live now is not my own. Christ is living in me.”
May 10 2015, 8:16 PM
Guest4511 (guest): I used to go to family parties and try to convert everyone ! Jesus told me to do the dishes ! When I started doing dishes at parties I noticed people started talking about Jesus !
May 10 2015, 8:16 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: SFdS says in a sermon: “The angels became devils and stumbled into hell because they did not wish to submit to God.”
May 10 2015, 8:17 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Good point, Guest4511!
May 10 2015, 8:17 PM
SrSusan (guest): Anne that is a powrful video!!
18 PM
Judy K: Acceptance of suffering is a self-emptying–accepting something painful that we did not choose. Perhaps our physical or mental (intellectual) faculties are diminishing to a greater or lesser degree. We are losing something of our self. This, if accepted in a right spirit, can make us more like Jesus, more deeply identified with Him. Suffering takes on a positive aspect if this reality is truly internalized.
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Anne M: Sorry for being out in left field, but that is a very powerful little video
May 10 2015, 8:19 PM
Carol Ann: it reminds me of the old saying “offer it up” but this goes so much deeper because we are actually transformed
May 10 2015, 8:19 PM
Dawn L: yes it is Anne…wow
May 10 2015, 8:19 PM
SrSusan (guest): True message
May 10 2015, 8:20 PM
Judy K: And if internalized, brings joy because we come closer to the goal for which we were–union with the ever-living and life giving Trinity. What more could we want; what more could we ask! (Maybe I should read my own words a little more closely!)
8:20 PM
Anne M: The image of that Christian Martyr on the beach mouthing prayer to the end. Praise God!
May 10 2015, 8:20 PM
Anne M: It’s burned into my mind
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Lisa C: I love to read the writings of St. Therese of Lisieux, because she was so young, but understood so well what suffering is and accepted it so graciously.
May 10 2015, 8:22 PM
Lisa C: When something is painful I think of her and ask her to help me be like her
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Dawn L: Jesus said…..she is forgiven much because she loved much
Mary Roberta Viano: and she understood that she (and we) need to be love (the heart) in the Church – and everywhere else!
Lisa C: Mother, yes, she said that her mission was Love
May 10 2015, 8:23 PM
Judy K: Jesus said, “As the Father loves Me, so I also love you. Remain in My love. If you keep My commandments you will remain in My love, just a kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have told you this so that My joy might be in you and your joy might be complete. John 15:9-11
May 10 2015, 8:23 PM
Guest4511 (guest): Please pray for our Kairos Ladies who have their 4 day retreat this week May 14,15,16,and 17 at Albion New York Women’s Correctional Center ! Many ladies will receive a refreshing from Jesus through our lady volunteers
May 10 2015, 8:24 PM
Judy K: I will put them on my list.
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Mary Roberta Viano: “Love carries us to perfect union with the supreme good,” SFdS says in TLG. :26 PM
Judy K: How wonderful that these ladies have to opportunity to go on a retreat. That would not have been possible 20 or so years ago. 26 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: I write to a prisoner in VA who organizes and runs the Kairos retreats in his prison. They’re always transformative, he says. PM
Judy K: Mother, I am still working on my formation talk for next Saturday. I have made headway, but still have a way to go.
May 10 2015, 8:28 PM
Lisa C: What is a formation talk?
May 10 2015, 8:28 PM
Anne M: Sisters have you heard of the new student debt program through the National Religious Vocation Conference?
May 10 2015, 8:28 PM
SrSusan (guest): Have you found enough resources?
May 10 2015, 8:28 PM
SrSusan (guest): No Anne. Tell us!
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Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, our Sr. Anne Francis needs to know about it, for sure! 5, 8:29 PM
Lisa C: An ROTC for God!!!! :30 PM
Anne M: A sister from Iowa mentioned it. Supposedly no funds given out yet it’s so new. I think she said once accepted to an order the order makes payments and is reimbursed by the program
May 10 2015, 8:30 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: We have a woman in formation who could use that education-debt-payment help.
May 10 2015, 8:30 PM
Guest4511 (guest): Kairos is awesome their are retreat all over country. And different parts of world ! Everyone weekend retreat is a beautiful portrait for our Lord that impacts ou whole Community
May 10 2015, 8:30 PM
Anne M: How can religious orders afford such a thing? !!
May 10 2015, 8:31 PM
Judy K: It is a talk on some aspect of life for a religious in formation, of for folks like my group, a “third order’. Yes Mother, thank you. I have a number of Salesian (of Don Bosco) writings and am finding them helpful. I have just finished going through his dreams, many of which have directions from Our Lady.
May 10 2015, 8:31 PM
Anne M: But the program supposedly allowed entry to the order and once professed all debt is paid off or reimbursed.
May 10 2015, 8:31 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Sounds too good to be true!
Carol Ann: I could use that help too
May 10 2015, 8:32 PM
SrSusan (guest): This is information that is very helpful Thanks Anne
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Mary Roberta Viano: I’m off to prepare music for Morning Prayer tomorrow. G’night. Let’s continue praying for each other!
May 10 2015, 8:33 PM
Anne M: You’re welcome. I have a burden of student debt. Yikes. It is depressing. But if the Lord wants it, it’ll work out.
May 10 2015, 8:34 PM
Judy K: There are two other groups that offer debt assistance for people seeking entrance into religious life. I can’t remember their names but will research it this week and let you know if I track it down.
May 10 2015, 8:34 PM
Anne M: Please pray!
May 10 2015, 8:34 PM
SrSusan (guest): Laboure Society and Mater Ecclesiae
May 10 2015, 8:34 PM
Anne M: Thank you.
May 10 2015, 8:34 PM
Judy K: Right you are Mother!
May 10 2015, 8:34 PM
Anne M: Good Night Sister M Roberta