GSR STAFF, MARCH 24, 2016 | Global Sisters Report
“Brothers and sisters:
I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you,
that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over,
took bread, and, after he had given thanks,
broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.’
In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying,
‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup,
you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.”
– 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, second reading from this evening’s liturgy
In meditative prayer, one thinks and speaks not only with his mind and lips, but in a certain sense with his whole being. Prayer is then not just a formula of words, or a series of desires springing up in the heart–it is the orientation of our whole body, mind and spirit to God in silence, attention, and adoration. All good meditative prayer is a conversion of our entire self to God.
–Thomas Merton
Mary McGlone, March 19, 2016| National Catholic Reporter
Passion (Palm) Sunday is one of the all-out favorite celebrations of the church year. Following Christmas and Easter, Palm Sunday ranks with Ash Wednesday — all days made special because people leave the celebration with a tangible reminder of the experience.
Our sacramental procession with the palms is one of those very Catholic, whole-body experiences that can mildly embarrass us and still nudge us to enter more deeply into a unique experience of our participation in the events of salvation history. Two questions we might ponder as we process and sing “Hosanna” are “Who is he that we celebrate?” and “What does it mean to walk this path?”
Christ be beside me, Christ be before me.
Christ be behind me, King of my heart.
Christ be within me, Christ be below me.
Christ be above me never to part.
Christ on my right hand, Christ on my left hand.
Christ all around me, shield in the strife.
Christ in my sleeping, Christ in my sitting.
Christ in my rising, light of my life.
Christ be in all hearts, thinking about me.
Christ be in all tongues telling of me.
Christ be the vision in eyes that see me,
In ears that hear me, Christ ever be.
Amen.
The beauty of the world is Christ’s tender smile for us; coming through matter.
–Simone Weil
God of life, soften our hearts when we build walls to keep others out. Revive our spirit when we are tempted to despair. Remind us that you move in chaos and in calm. Soothe our anxiety when we think we are orphaned and alone. Lead us to reach to our sisters and brothers. Empower us to be the change you wish to bring about in this world – healing, compassion and liberation for all people!
Sisters of Bon Scours Prayer Book volume 111
The place which God takes in our soul he will never vacate, for in us is his home of homes, and it is the greatest delight for him to dwell there….the soul who contemplates this is made like the one who is contemplated.
–Lady Julian of Norwich, Showings
God, you call me to relationship with you. Give me the assurance that you are listening and encourage me on my journey. Help me to become aware of your presence in this moment in my life.
–Sisters of Bon Secours- Moments in Solitude
The love of God passes by radiantly, the Holy Spirit goes through every person in his night like a lightening bolt. In this passing the risen Lord lays hold of you, he burdens himself with everything that is unbearable and takes it upon himself. Only afterwards, often much later, do you realize: Christ passed by and bestowed grace out of his superabundance.
–Brother Roger Schutz
