Inspired by Scholastica

How do we develop more compassionate hearts?  For some, nurturing compassion comes naturally because they have seen this virtue practiced in their families. For others, compassion needs to be learned by becoming more conscious of others who need help. Some people automatically respond with kindness to others. Some are so preoccupied, they don't even notice when someone is in need.  There is no commandment that says, "Thou shalt be compassionate." We have plenty of examples in the scriptures and the lives of the saints, however, that exemplify this quality. A stunning example is the story of the Good Samaritan, who encountered a wounded man on the roadside and stopped to care for him (Luke 10:25-37). He even took him to an inn and paid a servant there to make sure he had what he needed. This was after a priest and a Levite passed by and did not stop. This was Jesus' response to someone who asked, "Who is my neighbor?" A modern example of compassion: someone w...

Most of us skip over the fifth commandment: Thou shall not kill. We think we would never commit that sin — never commit murder. But actually, we could be guilty because there are many ways to kill. We can kill others with our cruel words. If we spread gossip about others and ruin their reputation, we are killing their good name. It is hard to stop slander, because words spread rapidly and we cannot know how many people have heard the lies and have told others.  Even if something we say is true, it should not be publicized for everyone, since we need to try to protect a person’s good name. We can also kill others by ignoring them. By isolating those with whom we're not comfortable from our company, they can feel they are not valuable or worthy. This could lead to feelings of worthlessness and self-hatred. Such behavior might make the people feel like they have no value and might even consider taking their own life. Another way we can kill others is through ridicule and shaming. Word...

I had not heard of loving kindness meditation, or Metta, before reading about it recently in the Kansas City Star. It is a form of mindfulness that can benefit both yourself and others, according to Abbey Bender, who wrote the article. It is very simple and can be done anywhere. You just need a quiet place and about 20 minutes to relax and focus. Bender suggests that you apply loving kindness meditation to yourself as well as others. She suggests using traditional Metta phrases, such as "May I be filled with loving kindness. May I be safe from inner and outer danger. May I be well in body and mind. May I be at ease and happy." You can use your own words, or focus on one or two phrases or mantras. According to meditation teacher Jack Kornfield, practicing loving kindness "doesn't always feel natural, and that's okay. It may also bring up feelings contrary to loving-kindness, feelings of irritation and anger." We just need to be patient and gentle with our...

When the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream with a message to flee, he took Mary and the baby Jesus and departed in haste for Egypt, just before King Herod's soldiers fulfilled his instructions to kill all the male children under two years old around the town of Bethlehem. Joseph and Mary fled with the baby Jesus into Egypt. They were among the many recorded in the Bible to seek refuge in an unknown land. Today, there are millions of refugees seeking safety in foreign lands. Among them are the immigrants at the U.S. border, who have been fleeing violence, poverty, and death threats in Mexico and Central America. Many have been waiting for months, even years, to be admitted into the United States. There are also refugees from Afghanistan, who were aided by the U.S. during the 20 years we were involved in the war against the Taliban. Some refugees are from Argentina, where a corrupt government is causing havoc. Others are from Haiti, where the government has collapsed and people are...

It’s a time for resolutions, people say. Yet, so many people are tired of making promises every year, especially since we usually don’t keep them. Maybe what we need to do is change the way we look at ourselves. Many of us feel a need to improve, change, overcome or the like. We think we’re not good enough, that we have to do hard things to make ourselves lovable. If you read Father Gregory Boyle’s book, Tattoos on the Heart , you get the message that God loves us as we are, that he always looks on us with love. Father Greg works with young people who have been imprisoned, are members of gangs, or on whom everyone has given up. He treats them like they are worth something, like diamonds in the rough. What happens is that these "riff-raffs" want to be what he thinks they are.  Father Greg, who started Homeboy Industries to rehabilitate gang members and street people, believes that God can’t stop loving us, no matter what we do. It’s God’s nature to love all that he has made wi...

Christmas at our monastery is usually very peaceful and quiet.  This year, the holiday was quite different.  During the morning liturgy, a water pipe broke in the first floor ceiling, and water poured down the hall in sheets. Almost immediately, there were firemen, police, EMTs, employees, and sisters on the scene, pushing water out the doors in freezing temperatures. They kept the water from getting to the main hall, and used vacuums and fans to get rid of the moisture in the carpets and walls.  In spite of all this commotion, Christmas dinner was prepared and served, thanks to our super employees and some generous donors. It was an incredible group effort, and no one complained if the meal was not hot or something was missing. We were all just grateful to have so many generous people step up and provide help.  The nursing and kitchen staff were able to do their jobs, in spite of soaked shoes and wet clothes. They were truly remarkable! They had gotten a Christmas b...

The Jewish people of old waited several thousand years for the coming of Jesus. They knew the ancient prophecies about Jesus being born of a virgin, but they could not fathom how or when. So, they waited and prayed that they might live to see this long-anticipated Savior. During the season of Advent we, too, wait for the Savior to come. It is only four weeks, but it is hard to focus on Jesus’ birth and the mystery that it holds amid the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season.  We wait in wonder and expectation as the liturgies and readings of Advent remind us of the birth in Bethlehem. The historical Jesus came on earth over two thousand years ago, born in the poverty of a stable and adored by poor shepherds. In our day, we pray for the coming of Jesus more fully into our lives. For that coming to happen requires preparation and a conversion of heart. We need time to focus on how to let Jesus guide our ways and show us how to be Christ for others today. That occurs not by giving...