Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross in Green Bay, WI
Reflection for Sept. 6, 2020

Reflection for Sept. 6, 2020

Practicing faith

Like great writing, growing in Jesus' love gets better with each  attempt

Sister Carolyn Zahringer

As Christians we are to be guided by the great commandment to love one another as Jesus loves us. Many of the psalms use the words “merciful love”. The corporal works of mercy give us opportunities to practice merciful love.

This weekend’s refrain is from Psalm 95: “If today you hear God’s voice, harden not your hearts”. What does it take to train our hearts and ears to hear God’s voice? I love the passage from the First Book of Kings that says God does not speak in the storm, the earthquake, or the fire but rather in the tiny whisper.

The second reading from Romans 13 states: “'You shall love your neighbor as yourself’. Love does no evil to the neighbor, hence love is the fulfillment of the law.” Forgiving others as well as ourselves is a hallmark of a Christian heart.

Matthew’s Gospel also addresses love, specifically how to mend an injured relationship. We are to try again and again and pray for a change of heart because Jesus welcomes all who ask for healing. Christianity demands lots of practice. God  constantly invites us to be forgivers and growers in the faith.   What invitations to growth and forgiveness await us the coming days and weeks?

Our Christian story is continually being written, with many opportunities to revisit the daily draft and make corrections.

7 Comments

Ellen
09/04/2020 9:01 am

Love it! Very inspiring, Sr. Carrie! Each moment is a new opportunity to practice and learn how to love those we have been given to love. Some wise person long ago shared with me that the 2 questions we'll be asked at the end of our earthly lives are: "Were you happy?" and "Did you love those I gave you to love?" Hopefully we can shout...Amen!

Cheryl
09/04/2020 10:26 am

Good words Sister!

Father Bill Jacobs
09/04/2020 12:10 pm

Dear Good Sister,

Thanks for your sharing this coming weekend's Reflection.

I think you hit the nail on the head. If we could only try to love one another as He loves us. If we do, there will be peace and much of the chaos would end.

Bless you!

In Appreciation,

Father Bill

Sister Rose Jochmann
09/04/2020 1:24 pm

Good reflections on the three readings! I, too, like the reminder that God speaks in a tiny whisper. And the second and third scriptures, all us t love and forgive.

Marlene
09/05/2020 3:51 pm

Nicely written Carrie. How I have always loved the reminder that God speaks to us in the softest of ways.....whispers. Thanks for sharing. Love you.

Mary
09/05/2020 5:55 pm

Awesome Sr. Carolyn, Thank You!

Sally Ann
09/06/2020 9:48 am

"If, today, you hear his voice, harden not your heart." Such a great morning prayer! Thank you for sharing with us, Carrie.

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