The Funny Bone May 15, 2013

Imagine that Jesus wants to introduce us in this post resurrection time to His Heavenly Father.  As we look in the direction He indicates we find we are painfully blinded by a beautiful and bright light.  Then Jesus breathes upon us, saying, "Receive the Holy Spirit." and the suddenly the light becomes visible in its unique beauty and we find ourselves safe, joy-filled and at home in the bosom of the Blessed Trinity the source of all things.

In our daily search for joy we come in this season to the true source of joy, the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is the Resurrection gift of Jesus.   How little we refer to the Holy Spirit apart from the liturgy of Pentacost or our Confirmation.     Today we look for pleasure, and miss joy because we are ignoring the Spirit of Truth.  Like Pilot, we ask, "What is truth?"  There are so many versions of facts that truth is often lost and we give up our search and settle for the convenient.

In the Gospel of John, in the long farewell address situated during the last supper, Jesus promises us the Spirit of Truth who will bring to mind all that Jesus tried to tell during His lifetime.   If we are open to the Holy Spirit we will be open to continually receiving the goodness and beauty of God.  In finding the goodness of God we begin to see goodness, beauty and love all around us, even in simple things we overlooked before.  We find that a heart that is open to the Holy Spirit expands to include all the children of God and all that is good, true and beautiful.  Gradually suspicion, exclusion, fear, doubt and grudges give way to the freedom of the love of God.  We find that we have the freedom of the children of God, without having to defend our masks and false pleasures.  There is always a new joy with each day and with each event, even with those that are painful and which unite us to the Cross of Jesus, redeeming our sad and lonely world.   Let us ask daily for the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Funny Bone May 6, 2013

From the very first day that I became conscious of the story of the Ascension of Our Lord, I was puzzled by St. Luke's account that the disciples returned to Jerusalem rejoicing.   I remember saying good-bye to people I loved and it hurt so much that I had to seclude myself for a day to let the pain heal.  How could they be filled with joy as their beloved Master disappeared from their view?  

I am sure scripture scholars have written volumes on just this point.   The first ordinary human explanation would be a generous joy for Jesus who had suffered so much and who would now be in glory with His Heavenly Father.   Our Holy Father Francis reminded us to be happy because now we had an "advocate"  (the Italian word is the same as "lawyer") who would now be pleading for us with the Father.... asking the forgiveness of our sins because He had himself experienced the pain and human weakness which is our lot.

As I reflect on Luke's final message in his Gospel I realize that it was written several decades after the event.   The disciples have experienced Jesus' presence with them in the Holy Spirit.  They have obeyed the mandate to preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth.   The command to preach was not limited to the immediate followers of Jesus but rings down through the ages to us.  How should and do we "preach" the Good News?  It is by cultivating joy, first in our own hearts and then shining the light of Christ into our dreary world.   There cannot be serious holy joy without contact with Christ in prayer.   It is in the quiet moments, however long or short we take from our busy days to remember the presence of God and the constant promise of Jesus' friendship and help that we "fill up" on true joy.   Then in our ordinary encounters we cannot be other than a light of hope to those who are part of our daily lives.   St. Francis invited his followers to accompany him on a preaching mission, saying they would use words "when necessary."  This points out a very important truth:  We are preaching by our very presence!   Is our message one of joy and hope, or agitated anger and despair?   A good clue would be a simple glance into the mirror.  

Several years ago in Albania I met two Irish sisters who were retired from many years of teaching in their homeland and who received permission to go to Albania, a country that had become a Communist Atheistic wasteland.  They did not know the language, but rented an apartment in an ordinary neighborhood and said their prayers in the small garden, with only smiles to greet those they met.   Gradually they formed a children's choir to accompany the Eucharistic celebrations.  They did not know the meaning of the  Albanian words the children sang, but gradually learned them and let the music insert the meaning into their hearts.   They became a helper to the busy local priest and so were building the Kingdom where it had been devastated.   Never underestimate the power of a friendly smile!!!!

The Funny Bone May 2, 2013

It must have been about 1956 or 57.  We were to have a three day retreat in preparation for the renewal of vows on November 21st our founding day.   For me it was a true renewal because I did not yet have perpetual vows.   As we went into chapel I felt a little giggle arising because in the sanctuary was a paper chart board with a drawing of stomach, heart, liver and gall bladder.   The "retreat master" was a Spanish Jesuit who had escaped or been exiled from newly Communist China.   He proved to be way ahead of his time as he told stories of people who were ill because they held on to guilt or grudges.   He told of the importance of forgiveness and cultivating joy and peace.  Yes, joy must be tended like a beautiful flower in a garden.   His motto was "Always have smiling eyes".    Ever since I have wondered what my face says when it is relaxed.   I have watched people who have generous and loving hearts, but whose exterior paints them as driven, bitter and judgemental.... What a waste in a world that is starved for joy.  

The Gospel readings of these post Easter days tell us that Jesus wants to come with His Father to live within us, to have supper with us.   What a party we can have if we think about it!.....  The requisites are so simple, "Obey my commandments".    These commandments are simply the dictates of our state in life.... earning a living for our family, being patient in the messy commute.  When we hug and kiss a spouse or child, prepare a dinner, strive for patience in an irritating situation, wait calmly in a long check out line, say something pleasant in a casual encounter....  These are the "commandments" for most of us.  

If we are Catholic Christians blessed by the Sacraments, joy should be the normal climate in which we live.  If we forget, or misstep, we have an advocate or lawyer always ready to defend us, seated beside the Heavenly Father ,   We need only come to Jesus and ask forgiveness and blessing.... even simply cry "help", and we find that joy returns....  Father Nacisso Irala, SJ.  if I remember your name correctly, I am still striving to always have "smiling eyes".

The Funny Bone

Those of you who are familiar with the Franziska Notes may be surprised by the change in title.  It does not neglect Mother Franziska but is the result of a long reflection on recent events in the world and in my life.  The meditative conversation took place as she might have wished before the Blessed Sacrament in the convent chapel that was my anchor at the very beginning of my vocation. 

It started with Sandy, the infamous storm that destroyed some of the more beautiful locations of my childhood.  Then the resignation of a very holy and humble Pope who reminded us that it is the Holy Spirit who rules the world and no "indispensible" human person.   Listening to the new Holy Father who calls himself simply "Francis" and enjoying his common sense attitude toward protocol, one has to rethink many of the "essentials".  

A fortnight in the hospital was dominated by repeated accounts of the terrible bombing in Boston and the collapse of a factory in Bengladesh, because of greed and corruption.

I think Mother Franziska told me the following:  You have spent your whole religious life on a search for my spirit and the Lord has blessed your path:  You were in Germany, spent time in my home village, made your final profession in the church I was privilaged to build and then related all your actions to mine.  Now I ask you to be what you have become.  Do not try to adapt the events of your time to those of mine.... just follow my lead ".... to do good, give joy, make happy and lead to heaven"   It is joy that your world needs because all the forces of politics and nature seem to be allied to stamp out both joy and hope.   If joy is "the infallible sign of the presence of God" we can see where this is leading.... Go and be joyful, point out the good, the true, the beautiful and the loving wherever you find it.   Then you are my daughter in the Third Millenium.

Franziska Notes March 2013

As we write these reflections we try to enter the mind and heart of Mother Franziska to learn how she would be and act in our world today. This came to a dramatic head on the 11th of last month. There has been a sea change in the Church since the last Franziska Notes were written. When she went to visit the Holy Father to present her newly founded Congregation she experienced such a sense of the holy that she preserved the veil that he touched when he gave his blessing.

Today, her fellow countryman, Pope Benedict XVI has in a way changed the papacy again in a new way. With great courage and humility he resigned in recognition that he was what in German is called the Stellvertreter Christi. He was neither Christ nor St. Peter, but called by the Holy Spirit and the Church to stand for awhile in their stead. He was universally applauded for recognizing that the Church would go on without him as he faced the diminishing powers brought on by age. What generosity to give up so much honor and public recognition so that stronger hands could row the barque of Peter.

Very human ideas and qualities are being openly discussed among the Cardinal electors and the world media. We are all only human beings. Jesus founded His church on an often bumbling fisherman. The message to us is that the Holy Spirit can achieve His purposes with any instrument no matter how poor. This must encourage us in our every day lives. We are not too small, too insignificant to achieve God’s will in our own environment. We are not permitted to say, “But what can I do!” as an excuse for inaction. We must stand before our Lord and put a question mark at the end of that phrase. “Lord, what can I do? How can I here and now advance your mission of love in the world?” A little child, asked what kind of person would be a good pope, replied, “He must love God a lot!” That is the answer for each of us as it was for Mother Franziska and the thousands of Sisters she inspired.

THE LEMON TREE

THE LEMON TREE

(It is more blessed to give than to receive)

Once upon a time there was a little girl named Annie..   Her uncle Karl, who loved all plants and animals sent her a little lemon tree from far away.   Even though it was very small it had a sturdy little green lemon on its strongest branch.   Annie watched the lemon grow a little bit each day until it became a lovely yellow color.  She picked the lemon and her mother made her some lemonade to share with her friends. 

Annie lived in a city that had cold winters so she had to take her little lemon tree inside when it got cold.   In her house she found a window that had some sunshine even during the short winter days.   The lemon tree got tiny new leaves and blossoms that had a wonderful aroma.  Where there was a blossom a tiny green lemon began to grow but soon the little lemons dropped off one by one.   Annie was so sad because she took good care of her little tree and it was growing but it only had leaves, blossoms and disappointment.

When spring came Annie put her tree outside on the fire escape again and there were new blossoms, but no lemons.  Soon she didn’t want to look at her tree any more.  She was tired of seeing only leaves.   Her mother said that maybe their house did not have the right kind of sunshine for the little tree.   Lemon trees grow in warm climates and outside with lots of sun.  She suggested that Annie give the tree to a school that had wonderful large windows and much sunshine in their science lab.   Annie pouted and said, “But it is my tree!  I don’t want to give it up!”  So the tree grew and grew but gave only leaves and beautiful blossoms.   At last Annie thought about the tree more than herself.   Maybe if I give the tree away it will bear lemons.  Maybe the children of that school who never saw a lemon tree grow will be happy to watch the new leaves and the blossoms and, maybe they will even have lemons and can make lemonade for the whole school.  She asked her mother to take the little tree to the school.   Annie was very sad as she walked home without her little tree.

As she said her prayers that night and climbed into her bed something wonderful happened. She started to think of the children in the school. She imagined how happy they were when the first new little green leaves came. Then how happy they were when they came to school and had the first whiff of the scent of lemon blossoms. After some weeks they would start to count the little green lemons. She could even see in her imagination how happy they were when they made and served the lemonade from their tree.

Now Annie was happy that she had given away her tree. She was even more happy when she thought about the many children who would be happy with her little tree and how they would make all their parents and friends happy as they told about the wonderful thing that happens with a growing lemon tree. The next day she told her mother who gave her a big hug. They went to the store that afternoon and mom bought some lemons. She made lemonade for Annie because she was so proud of her little girl with the big heart.



An original tale by Sister M. Caroline Bachmann, FDC

 

Franziska Notes February 2013

This year February sees the beginning of the Holy Season of Lent. Mother Franziska focused on the sufferings of Christ and urged the sisters to unite themselves with their Bridegroom by bearing the sufferings and inconveniences, including the real poverty involved with the beginnings of the Congregation. She realized the the sisters would not be credible witnesses for Christ if they afforded themselves every convenience. At the same time, she did not skimp on education and the proper equipment to serve those who depended on the Congregation.

Today we live in a slightly different world. We have many of the material good things of life, and we cannot totally divest ourselves of modern technology which is part of the work and service we do for the Kingdom. We are, however, subject to many stresses and irritations that were unknown a century ago. Penance is not meant to be a self-inflicted pain for its own sake but a witness of God’s love. In our time many people are living in a dark despair. They seem to make a major project of fleeing from suffering at all costs. Some of this flight takes the form of addiction to sex, pornography, medication, alcohol, empty pleasure, as well as many other destructive choices. Our world needs witnesses to hope, joy and peace that come from living according to and trusting in God’s will. We can make our penance as daily acts of gratitude to God for goodness, truth and beauty we may not have noticed before. We can lift people up with sincere compliments and caring, both in word and action according to our possibilities. As Mother Franziska advised, … give joy… make happy… and so lead to heaven. Happy Lent… Really!!!!!