Tags
anniversary, Eucharistic liturgy, feast, John, Jubilee, love, meal, The Sophia Center for Spirituality
During this Easter season there are so many great scriptural stories of what it was like in the first century of the Christian era. All the wonderful encounters that the disciples had with people who caught the significance and truth of what they were sharing about God’s love in Christ sometimes makes me desire that kind of direct revelation in our day. This morning, however, as I read the gospel (JN 15:9-17), I became aware again of the gift that is still – and always – available to us as a vivid experience of God’s love. Let me explain.
In addition to the wildly joyful celebration in March of all the Sisters of St. Joseph, Albany Province, who are marking jubilees (anniversaries) of 25 to 75 (and, as last year, 80!) years of religious life, many of us have a personal celebration as well for family and friends. Since a number of the jubilarians live at the Province Center (our home that doubles as the administrative center as well), the province offers the opportunity for all those Sisters to gather their guests together on one day of celebration. Family members come from far and near – some staying for some days – to share a Eucharistic liturgy and sumptuous meal after which each jubilarian has a designated room for extended visiting. Yesterday I was privileged to participate in the “love fest” of one of those families and I saw throughout the day what I think Jesus would have been proud of as the fulfillment of his commandment for us to “love one another as I love you.”
Thunderous applause accompanied the conclusion of the chaplain’s praise of the lives of our Sister-celebrants. During the communion rite, as we sang “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord,” I was touched to see a young man, most likely a grand-nephew of one of the older Sisters, wiping tears from his eyes. Seeing the joy of family groups at dinner that included members from 3 to perhaps 93 years of age was delightful. Tables with mainly Sister companions for those whose relatives have gone to God reminded me of the deep commitments that we have to one another as friends in community. Most significant was the moment toward the end of the afternoon in our group where one of the brothers had to leave for work. As he stood, each of the family members – oldest to youngest, male and female alike, in-laws included, stood for kisses and hugs and a simple “I love you” that spoke volumes of family ties, regardless of distance or differences.
“Remain in my love,” Jesus said. And so we do.
Our most cherished annual gathering, to honor St. Joseph (feast day 3/19) and those Sisters celebrating a jubilee in religious life (40, 50, 60, 70, 75 years this time), was held yesterday. The liturgy was glorious and we “sang our hearts out!” As I thought of that turn of phrase this morning I felt more deeply the truth of our covenant with God as expressed in today’s first lectionary reading from Jeremiah 31:31-34.
Yesterday I wrote about charisms, the gifts we possess and offer to the world. These are not material gifts but gifts of the heart. Sometimes we band together with others to strengthen what it is that effects some change or gives some hope to the world. Often we have little or no sense of the impact of our presence in the lives of others. Sometimes it is the smallest kindness that saves another person in an hour of need. Mother Theresa said something like: “We need not do great things but only little things with great love.”
I keep trying to ignore my first thought for today’s post. It comes from the reflection I just read on the life of St. Boniface whose feast the Roman Catholic Church celebrates today. Boniface was an English Benedictine monk who gave up being elected abbot to devote his life to the conversion of the Germanic tribes in the 8th century. It was not an easy task, 
Still basking in the glow of last weekend’s beautiful golden jubilee celebration that I experienced with so many kind words and gestures, I was immediately interested in Alan Cohen’s daily reflection for this date because the title was actually “Golden Moments.” After a personal anecdote, he continued with what is surely a worthy way to look at life. (I especially like his concluding sentence.) See if you agree.
Today is Monday – time to resume the “headset” of the workaday world after a weekend of blessed celebration. One of the loveliest parts of the weekend was coming home yesterday to mark the actual feast of St. Joseph, our patron, which this year in community we noted on the day before and in the Church celebrate today on the day after (because of the pre-eminence of the third Sunday of Lent). We had a delicious dinner and I got presents from my housemates! Tucked in one of the jubilee cards was a colorful stiff square of a card written on both sides whose message was the following, which I believe will find itself in a central place in my bedroom and my life for what I hope will be years to come!
One of my favorite biblical concepts comes from the Book of Leviticus where the practice of “Jubilee” is defined. It speaks of a time – every 50 years – when slaves are freed, land that has been taken is given back to the rightful owners and all remember the kindness and mercy of God. Even the land is given consideration as the fields are allowed to lie fallow, so that they can rest and be restored. All of this was done not only in reparation on a human level but to heal relationship with God. The resulting celebration was one of great rejoicing.