Charity Reflections
Spiritual reflections by Sisters and Associates
Sunday, January 7, 2018–Epiphany of the Lord
Readings: Isaiah 60:1–6; Psalm 72; Ephesians 3:2–3a, 5–6; Matthew 2:1–12 I love the responsorial psalms chosen for this season: “Sing joyfully…exult in the Lord…his faithfulness endures forever…” The community sings out such joy. The promise is fulfilled at last....
December 31, 2017 — Feast of the Holy Family/New Year’s Eve
Readings: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; Psalm 128; Colossians 3:12-21; Luke 2: 22-40 Today we recognize the gift of the Holy Family, both the respect and love they have for each other, and their respect for their religious law. Jesus as a vulnerable child is presented to...
Charity Wisdom, Christmastide–Epiphany 2018
Christmastide — Epiphany 2018 God’s Love becomes flesh; Christ’s Light shines for all peoples. We celebrate Jesus, God’s greatest gift, and all the gifts of the season, especially St. Elizabeth Seton (feast: Jan. 4) and her vision that gave birth to the Sisters of...
Christmas Day, December 25, 2017
Readings: Mass During the Day - Isaiah 52:7-10; Ps. 98; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18 “GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY WHICH SHALL BE TO ALL PEOPLE!” “Tell me some good news,” I found myself saying frequently during the past weeks. Too many stories of tragedy,...
Fourth Sunday of Advent/Christmas Eve — December 24, 2017
Readings: (Christmas Mass During the Night) Isaiah 9:1-6; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14 Wait for the wind and watch for the dawn! Wait! Watch! Many years ago, a dear friend who was dying told us that she would be in the wind and the sunrise! Images of waiting...
Third Sunday of Advent – December 17, 2017
Readings: Isaiah 61:1–2a, 10–11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16–24; John 1:6–8, 19–28 In today’s second reading St. Paul writes: “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks for this is the will of God for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise...
Second Sunday of Advent, December 10, 2017
Readings: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; Psalm 85; 2 Peter 3:8-14; Mark 1:1-8 The invitations have been sent; one thing is lacking, our response. An invitation to what? Today’s readings propose an answer. Mark’s gospel is an invitation to all his hearers to...
First Sunday of Advent, December 2, 2017
READINGS: Isaiah 63:16-64:7; Psalm 80; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:33-37 Imagine walking down Fifth Avenue; department store windows are filled with Christmas and winter scenes. Coming toward you is a man dressed in a brown wool coat with a collar and cuffs, a cotton...
Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Readings: Ezekiel 34: 11–12, 15–17; Psalm 23; I Corinthians 15: 20–26, 28; Matthew 25: 31–46 A reign like no other! Kings, Queens, Dictators, even some Presidents, demand more recognition from their people than the King of King demands. Matthew’s Gospel tells us that...
Charity Wisdom Thanksgiving — Advent 2017
Thanksgiving–Advent 2017 A time of grateful thanksgiving yields to Advent expectation. A new year of the Church’s life begins. Advent — we wait in hope as God’s promise of salvation unfolds. We honor Mary as the bearer of Christ our hope, and prepare to receive the...