Prayer

Prayer for Transformation at Easter

Prayer for Transformation

          

Risen Jesus,

Every moment of your life was a glorious hymn of praise

            as you did only “what pleased your Father”:

listening, and responding in love and fidelity,

                                    whether questioning the doctors in the temple,

                        learning from Joseph how to make furniture,

and grieving his death,

changing water into wine, 

leaving home to walk the dusty roads of Galilee,

                        teaching, healing, forgiving, challenging,

                                    relaxing with friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus,

letting Lazarus die and then raising him, 

                                                            suffering rejection and unjust judgment,

                                                                        living the hours of your torture, and death.

Your life was a faithful and loving song of “Yes” to your Father.

 

Risen Jesus,

May my life too be such a song of loving praise,

its every moment a note in that melody,

                        whether a glorious and true note of jubilation,

                                    a wobbly, weak note of grief,

                                          a tender tone of longing and love,

                                                or a cracked and uncertain squeal of confusion.

            a rest note that holds the silence of waiting,

                        or a crescendo that pleads or rages. 

Whatever the notes that compose the moments of this, my life,

            whether they be clear and true, scratchy or wavering,

or even off key,

somehow, let my imperfect, human “yes”

blend with your magnificent and perfect one,

into a beautiful and unique harmony.

 

Risen Jesus, help me to accept all my moments, as they are, as I am,

those moments I have lived and those yet to come,

            and by your amazing love transform them

into your paschal hymn of praise,                                                     

today and every day,

for the salvation of the world.  

Amen.

-Sister Mary Diesbourg, CSJ

IMAGE: Sixteen Miles Out/Unsplash

Praying Hope: A Paradox for Today

Many moons ago, the parish I attended organized a Lenten ecumenical series with weekly reflections on various approaches to praying. One session focused on “Praying with the News”.

Last week, as I was skimming the Saturday paper, memories of that long ago session came back to me. The focus was the importance of praying for all those affected by global disasters and those struggling with world and local events recorded in the news. Part of the week’s session included prayers of intercession for all the problems arising at that time. But what of now? Such prayers are still vital for the world. They are part of our human and faith commitment, entrusting the unfolding of the world to God, sending out care, hope and love in these, our, days.

Now, as we continue to greet a new year, the world is facing extraordinary times of uncertainty, and for many, days of anxiety and fear, continuing war, violence, impoverishment and environmental degradation. Like each of you, I suspect, I/we are hearing voices from family, friends and colleagues who are feeling overwhelmed to the point of “giving up” on the news. Many express feelings of being entrapped by darkness or despair; paralyzed to respond.

So what then of “praying with the news?” Reading the paper I found myself wondering if even our praying in such a way engulfs us more deeply in a negative narrative in which hope seems imperceptible.

Then I woke up to the fact that this wasn’t the sum total of my reading. I was also reading stories of care, concern, kindness and service, sometimes “sacrificial” service.  I read of the wonderfully “giving-life” of President Jimmy Carter. I read of people opening their homes to those left homeless by the LA fires, of the Pennsylvania Amish community gathered to build small homes in the aftermath of the devastating storms in North Carolina. I was encouraged by a story of people in the U.S. donating to Canadian leadership in refugee service and resettlement, by entrepreneurs bringing creativity to and investment in providing light for children in Africa, allowing them to study at night, and I was touched by accounts of numerous small acts of kindness toward neighbours and for environmental healing.

Image: Jon Tyson @jontyson/Unsplash

Immersed in such stories I was lifted beyond feelings of helplessness. Perhaps praying with the news is also then about praying in gratitude for such inspired goodness, for the people involved, for the beauty and gifting of creation, opening us to a more balanced perspective as we look at the world. Engaging prayerfully in such stories is a reminder of hope and promise. Positive news of this kind inspires each of us to commit to “the more”. It helps unbind us from the entrapment of fear, anxiety, despair and inaction. It calls us to place goodness at the heart of our lives and in the world. As American journalist, Hunter Thompson wrote:

Good news is rare in these days, and every glittering ounce of it should be cherished and hoarded and worshipped and fondled like a priceless diamond.”

In praying with today’s good news we are invited to place life-enhancing energy in the world without a need to know what its gift and impact may be. In placing positive energy in the world we become expanders of that energy, carriers of hope, beacons of promise and possibility, people who can truly “real-ize” a life beyond perceived impasse. Carmelite nun, Sister Constance Fitzgerald says: “It is only in the process of bringing impasse to prayer, to the perspective of the God who loves us, that our society will be freed, healed, changed, brought to paradoxical new visions, and freed for nonviolent, selfless, liberating action, freed, therefore, for community on this planet earth.” So let’s pray with the good news, let it transfigure our lives for personal peace and free us for good.

-Sister Mary Rowell, CSJ

Image: Philipp Düsel @philipp_dice | Unsplash

The Power of Prayer

A Reflection on the Power of Prayer from Sister Mary Raphael

I was in the hospital from October 14 – 25 with a bowel obstruction. Upon returning home I was placed in our Care Center. Being weak, I knew I needed to be there.  After a short time, I had a conversation with our Director of Care. Since I could see how things improved a bit each day I felt that remaining in the Care Center was a good option. However, I did not want to move there prematurely. It was suggested that I take a month to make my final decision. I answered, “As far as I’m concerned, I’ve made my decision.”

Many people – my Sisters, my family, and friends had prayed for me that things could be resolved without a second surgery. Their prayers were answered, and miraculously a second operation was not required. The prayers not only prevented further surgery but enlightened me to see that the best insurance I had against further hospitalizations was to remain in the Care Center. Now I could see that things could be monitored more closely in the Care Center. 

During and following my stay in the hospital, I was restless and unable to pray.  However, there is one prayer from a novena which I repeated frequently – “O God, I surrender myself to you. You take care of everything.” And God did take care of everything!

While regaining my strength, I began my move from my 3rd floor room to the east wing of our Care Center.  I filled the basket on my rollator daily which meant I would not have boxes to unpack once I moved permanently.

Now, for meals I sit with three Sisters, one of whom is Sister Olga.  At 101 years of age, she has taught me by her example the power and benefits of maintaining a positive attitude.  She frequently comments on the blessings we have, and her ministry is one of presence and example.

Looking back over these last few months, I too, am moved by the power of prayer and the blessings of community life.

-Sister Mary Raphael, CSJ

Image: wallace Henry @ghostdogg187 / Unsplash

World Day of Prayer 2023

The artist, Hui-Wen HSAIO, used several motifs that highlight Taiwan’s best-known features to express how the Christian faith brings peace and a new vision to Taiwan. 

The World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical movement that invites people of different cultures and Christian religious traditions to unite in spirit on a common day of prayer each year. This service is usually celebrated on the first Friday of March. 

A different country writes the service each year and transmits it globally. This year, the theme, I Have Heard About Your Faith’, based on St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 1:15 - 19 has been prepared by a group of Taiwanese women. They also composed the music to accompany St. Paul’s message: 

I have heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, 

I have heard about your love towards all the saints 

I have not stopped giving thanks for you, 

And remembering you in my prayers.  

Music © Lai, Yin-ting for WDP 2023 

The service opens with the greeting: “Pîng-an.” “May God grant you peace, a peaceful relationship with God and with one another”.  The welcome follows: “On behalf of the sisters in Taiwan, we would like to welcome all of you to join us today in worship. Through this celebration, we would like to share our experiences with you, and witness God’s wonderful grace and mighty works.” 

The Sisters of St. Joseph are included with the United, Anglican, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic Churches in the North Central area of London.  Each church has a small planning group, and I am the representative for the Sisters.  The area churches take turns hosting the worship service and this year, The Sisters of St. Joseph are the hosts.  Due to Covid restrictions, the service will be held virtually.  This is unfortunate because it is more meaningful to gather and pray together to fulfill the spirit of the movement.  

It has been inspirational for me to participate with the various church groups, preparing and leading those from the area who gather in the host church for the prayer service. It has given me the opportunity to meet and share with women from different church congregations.  Hearing about the history, geography, and the customs of the people of the various countries has been a meaningful experience. 

Uniting in prayer and spirit through the World Day of Prayer has the potential to change the lives of women and children. The movement’s 100 years of global prayer cannot go unnoticed! 

-Sister Loretta Hagen, CSJ