By Bridget Bears, RSCJ
This Holy Week, for me — for us — is like no other.
Last Sunday, Religious of the Sacred Heart from around the world gathered for a Society of the Sacred Heart meeting on refugees from Ukraine. Gathered, representing multiple languages, six continents, and bringing to the table the complexities of politics, religion, and life, our hearts were troubled — together.
By Lisa Buscher, RSCJ
The longer I survive not only the COVID pandemic itself, but also the collective exhaustion it has yielded, the more I appreciate the spiritual gift of grace. On the first day of this school year, my colleagues and I each considered a word we wanted to share as inspiration (“hope,” “joy,” “love,” “rest,” “peace,” etc.), wrote it on a stone, and put the stones in the center of our circle.
The news of late has me asking before each broadcast, “How bad will it be?” I wish the question were otherwise, but if I am honest, that is the first thing I wonder. At the same time, I take walks through the neighborhood and am greeted by buds, shoots, and exuberantly affectionate canines.
The objective of Lent is transformation, and the word in scripture used for this kind of transformation is metanoia. While the Greek word is typically translated as “repentance,” the word implies regret or remorse, and a decision to move forward to a space where one experiences a change in one's very core.
O God, it’s here. I have to say
I’m not that good at this.
‘Gainst every Lent my will is bent.
I just want Easter’s bliss
We begin this Season of Lent with a world torn by increasing violence and war. Last Sunday, Pope Francis urged all to make Ash Wednesday a day of prayer and fasting for peace in Ukraine.
