Inspired by Scholastica

  Inspired by Scholastica   Courage to Face Challenges It is challenging to keep one’s peace of mind when living amidst confusion, obfuscation, and distortion of facts. We want to live peacefully and calmly in the midst of a topsy-turvy world. Here are a few things I am trying. First, to try to understand what is happening through reading and informative programs. I need to listen to people I trust and read books by authors who seem to be wiser and better informed than I. I am also lifting up my concerns to our loving God and pray that he will protect us from seemingly detrimental decisions that are being made by our leaders. I try to pray for those making the decisions that they will listen to their constituents and make laws that will help the people that are hurting in our society. Another action I am trying is listening to soothing music and TV programs that will calm my soul and help me to laugh and lift my spirit. Finally, I’m trying to write the leaders in...

    Is Unity Possible? “That all may be one as we are one.”   This week we marked the annual Prayer for Christian Unity. I don’ t know when this special week began, but it is certainly an essential concern for Christians everywhere. Christ established one Church and intended that all would follow his teachings. But in the 16 th century, the Protestant Reformation changed religious beliefs and practices when Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses as a reaction against the selling of indulgences by the Catholic Church. I grew up believing that the Catholic Church was the only true church because it was founded by Jesus Christ. Now I think most Christians believe in the essentials of faith and could become one Church. Today it is good to see many churches uniting in promoting peace and justice and joining together in special celebrations like Martin Luther King Day, the Epiphany, and even some feasts of Mary. Ministers of some churches exchange pulpits and ...

  Ordinary Time began this week in the Church calendar. After the Advent-Christmas season the liturgical prayers are less festive, more ordinary. But this is certainly no ordinary time in the United States. The horrendous and tragic fires in Los Angeles are far from ordinary. The Santa Ana winds and dry brush whipped the fire through the city and surrounding area. Over 12,000 structures were burned to the ground and at least 25 people died in the disaster. Even more extraordinary is the election of a convicted felon to the presidency. His appointments to high offices and his agenda for expelling illegal immigrants are very worrisome. Concerned leaders are trying to find ways to control this damage to our democracy. On the world sphere, the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria last December after years of atrocity crimes was another extraordinary event. The government was taken by surprise when adversaries took over.   There was evidence of grave internation...

  Inspired by Scholastica As Years Go By As I grow older, I am learning to let go of many things. Age takes its toll, and I am not able to do many of the activities I used to do. It took me a while to accept the fact that I am old and it’s okay for me not to be involved as much. I used to do some embroidery, but I can no longer see well enough to do the stitches. I have given up doing the daily New York Times crossword puzzles because of my eye problems. I still do some word games on my iPad. I have a small job to keep the cereal containers filled and counters cleaned in the dining room. And since I write the daily Chronicles, I try to attend meetings and activities so I can record what is happening in our monastery. Most of my time is spent in prayer and spiritual reading. I find solace in talking to God and listening as he speaks to me in community prayer, Mass, and in conversations with friends. I also enjoy nature, especially the birds and squirrels that come to our fe...

  Inspired by Scholastica   A Noteworthy Leader Jimmy Carter, 39th president of the United States, passed away last week at the age of 100.   He only served one term, but he was beloved by many for his kindness, honesty, and seeker of peace. After his term of office, he remained active in Habitat for Humanity, taught Sunday school, and was involved in his community. His faith was very important to him, and he preached eulogies tor statesmen and religious leaders alike. It always amazed me that a peanut farmer could become president. He brokered a peace accord between Israel and Palestine (which did not hold) and traveled widely to demonstrate the good will of the U.S. toward all. He achieved noteworthy results at times, thanks to his stature as a peacemaker, humanitarian and champion of democracy and his significant relationships with foreign leaders whether he liked them or not. He was awarded the Nobel Peace in 2002 for his decades of untiring effort to find pea...

  Inspired by Scholastica   The Gift of Light I was not familiar with the story of the Maccabees in the Old Testament. Over 2,000 years ago the temple in Jerusalem was desecrated, and most of the Jews fled. But a small group, the Maccabees, stayed and tried to keep the oil burning in the temple lamp. There was only enough oil for perhaps a day, but it burned for another eight days. That gave them hope that it would burn until they could buy more oil. Light is very significant in the Scriptures, especially during the Christmas season. We all know the story of the Magi following a star they saw in the East. Astronomers assured them that it was an unknown star that had just appeared They believed that it indicated the birth of a new King and they got on their camels to seek him. After a long arduous journey, they found the newborn King in a stable in Bethlehem and offered their gifts. Light is also important in the Resurrection story.   As dawn was rising in the ea...

  Inspired by Scholastica   Pondering Christ’s Coming After periods of dryness, darkness, and discouragement, it is sometimes hard to believe in the message of Christmas: “God is with us.” Yet when we really listen and let go of our fears, we can grasp that truth. We can sing, ‘Come Emmanuel, come to save us.” As we behold the stars at midnight, the smiles around the Christmas tree, the warmth of togetherness, we know that God is near, that we can feel safe in the heart of Jesus. When the heavenly messenger came to Mary announcing that she would give birth to the Savior, she was stunned and hesitant to believe.   I’m sure she felt like this sounded too good to be true, and she questioned how this could come about. But she was willing to do whatever God asked of her. And poor Joseph. He loved Mary and wanted to marry her, but how could she be with child already? In a dream, he was told that this was how God chose to become human. It seemed incredible that God wou...