Cecilia’s Gift

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Dancing with the Stars, martyr, music, persecution, sing, St. Cecelia, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

Today is the feast of St. Cecilia, a person remarkable for her holiness, her steadfastness and her love of music. It is always amazing to me that people in the 21st century are inspired by someone who lived in Rome in the second century of the Christian era. The story of Cecilia’s life is sketchy but heroic. She lived in the era of persecution of Christians and she and her husband Valerian spent themselves before their own martyrdom in burying those who had been murdered for their faith. In the 16th century, her body was exhumed and was found to be incorrupt. There’s much more to say but my interest today was in the number of musical compositions that have been named for her – from Handel’s Ode to St. Cecilia to Paul Simon’s popular “Cecilia” in the 1960s!

There isn’t much in life that I consider to be more important than music. We can learn much about culture from the vocal and instrumental works of a country or region and historical events are often remembered by the songs that tell their stories. Liturgical life is enhanced by the music of ritual and folk artists can carry us away on the emotions of life stories recounted in what they have written. Cecilia’s patronage of musicians comes from her wedding, in a rather ironic way. Having previously dedicated her life to God in a pledge of virginity, she was nevertheless forced to marry the pagan Valerian. All reports say that during the wedding ceremony she “heard heavenly music inside her heart” and subsequently was the cause of her husband’s conversion when he saw an angel by her side.

I am grateful today for the gift of music and will sing my way to work and home in homage to Cecilia. And for all of us who celebrate what music does for the urge to dance, don’t forget that tonight is the season finale of Dancing with the Stars!

Taking Refuge

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Acts of the Apostles, christians, disciples, election, homeland, overcome, persecution, primary, psalm 87, refugess, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

This morning’s text from chapter 11 of the Acts of the Apostles gives a clear sense of how the “good news” of Christ is spreading and ends with the statement that it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians. It wasn’t all euphoria, however. There was lots of persecution accompanying the work of the disciples and many refugees who had been scattered in the wake of Stephen’s murder. It reminded me of images of all the people who are fleeing their homes in Syria and elsewhere today, searching for a safe shelter and a home where they might raise their families in peace.

Psalm 87 followed those thoughts and my longing for “the peaceable kingdom” for all people in our world. Not unaware that today is primary day for New Yorkers and that it takes more than an individual voice to solve the problems of the world, I know that I will vote today, hoping that there will be a smooth transition of leadership in our country – not only for the presidency but in all three branches of our government – so that the corporate voice of the United States might be heard in the world for the good of all. I will also pray today that reason and good will may increase to overcome violence and destruction in the world.

While those two things are what I know I can do, perhaps there is a call today for me to delve more deeply into what is happening to change systems that contribute to the breakdown of society, to see where I might participate in building up solutions toward peace and the vision of the psalmist who calls such a place a homeland, a sacred birthing place, for many people across the earth, for here God’s presence dwells and draws them in, and makes everyone her own. (Ps 87:4-5)

The Sorrowful Mother

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children of my heart, Mary Mother of God, persecution, refugees, Seven Sorrows of Mary, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

There are many days in the liturgical calendar on which Christians celebrate Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Today, the memorial of the Seven Sorrows of Mary does not seem fit for “celebration” as it commemorates the most difficult moments in Mary’s life as a mother because of the sufferings of Jesus. Never having birthed a child, I can only imagine the pain of mothers whose children have lived difficult lives in one way or another. I do count at least five “children of my heart” – all of whom are now middle-aged and one of whom (the eldest) died this year at age 58. I have celebrated and mourned events in their lives and now feel a deeper kinship with Michael’s mother whose pain of loss will likely remain until her own death.

For those interested in reflecting on these moments of Mary’s life, the Church lists the following: 1. The Prophecy of Simeon (when Mary and Joseph presented Jesus in the temple), 2. The Flight into Egypt, 3. The Loss of the Child Jesus when he was 12 years old, 4. The Meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross, 5. The Crucifixion, 6. Jesus’ Body Struck by a Lance as he was taken down from the cross, 7. The Burial of Jesus.

For the rest, today is a day to pray for mothers, perhaps especially those refugees who are fleeing persecution or war, trying to keep their children safe in this moment of upheaval, desiring to find a home where they can give their children a better, happier life. And, of course, for those of us who have been cared for and loved into enduring life by mothers, many of whom now abide with us in spirit, our prayer is one of gratitude.

How Can I Help?

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christians, Jesus, miracles, persecution, Pharisees, prostitution, Sabbath, Sisters of St. Joseph, St. Agnes, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, trafficking women

Today, as the Pharisees continue their attempts to trap Jesus in his disregard for the law (healing the man “with the withered hand” on the Sabbath) the Roman Catholic Church celebrates a 12-year old girl, saint and martyr for the faith. The story of Agnes  dates from the third century before Constantine ended the persecution of Christians. Legend has it that Agnes was a beautiful young girl whom many men were interested in marrying. Her refusal prompted one very disgruntled suitor to tell the authorities that Agnes was a Christian, whereupon she was sent to a house of prostitution, tortured and put to death. This situation put me in mind of all the girls and women around the world who are being sold into slavery by sex traffickers or who live in other abusive situations (even in this country) that we would protest as unlawful and morally untenable. There are many organizations and individuals whose outrage at these horrible situations have moved them to action on the part of such victims. My own community of the Sisters of St. Joseph is so committed. I am grateful for that and consider it my moral duty to continue to educate myself and others to these atrocious conditions, to pray for women the world over and to join as I am able in actions that will eradicate such unjust and horrific practices in our time.