Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.

There is need of only one thing.

Mary has chosen the better part

and it will not be taken from her.

Luke 10: 41-42

Some lessons are difficult to learn. It seems that there are some things about which we have to be reminded over and over again. A light goes off... we get it... and then maybe a few weeks or months later ... we head right back down the same road that does not lead to life. And the cycle starts over again. At least, this is the case for me.

This Lenten season I find myself coming back to a realization I've had many times over. There is need for only one thing. Like Peter who tries to walk on water, unless you keep your eyes (and heart and mind!) focused on God... you're sunk, so to speak.

Lent has always been a time for me to re-evaluate my relationships - with God, others, and myself and to be open to the grace that can reconcile relationships that are wounded by my short-sidedness. Lent has always been a fruitful time for me. So, as Lent began this year so did my typical self examination.

And what did I find? Well, to put it briefly, I found that I have been living in a constant state of self-evaluation (self focus) these past months without being centered or focused on God. In other words, I had become self-absorbed. I had become so wrapped up in noise and recognition of personal faults that I lost sight of the one necessary thing. Some people call it naval gazing - when a person is so focused on what's "wrong with me", that the person can't see what's Good and right with the world nor the hear call to respond to what's not right with the world. *sigh* This is not the first time. Thank you to my spiritual director for pointing out the obvious!

Hince, the real cause of my blogging absence... truth be told.

Therfore, this Lent I am responding to God's call, "Come back to me, with all your heart..." And that call is the source of Lenten joy for me...

Until next time...
Lenten blessings to all who read this!
Sr. N


P.S. ~ Next time I blog, I will fill you in on the exciting things that have been happening in the life of this Marianist sister... a gathering of women religious in Phoenix, celebrations of Marianist founders & Marianist charism, the chapter meeting of our province, an open letter to Oprah written by young women religious... Wow... there's a lot!

The soul craves experiences that offer it the rich depths of God.

Silence, solitude, holy leisure, simplicity, prayer, journaling,

the Eucharist, rituals that touch the space of Mystery,

symbols and images, the Bible,

laughter, delight in the divine Presence, deep encounters with creation,

and the merciful coming together of human hearts.

All these feed the soul, producing energy for living the transformed life.

Sue Monk Kidd

When the Heart Waits

Happy New Year!

Today begins the new semester at the University of Dayton. Students are back... most not exactly ready to start again into the hectic pace of being a student.

This semester I am also a student once again. Unlike many of them, however, I'm ready.... at least I think I am. I'm only taking one class, but I'm very excited about it. It's "Intro to Spiritual Direction" with one of our Marianist priests as professor. We had an assignment over the Christmas break - 2 books and a paper. I finished both books and am nearly finished with the paper... One of the books is the one quoted above by Sue Monk Kidd (yes, the same person who wrote The Secret Life of Bees.

I highly recommend this book. It's not a text book in the classical sense. It was more of a good book for spiritual reading. I laughed a little and cried a little while reading this one. I also contemplated, prayed with it and journaled about it. Now, that's a book I can feel good about recommending!

Class is on Tuesday evenings starting tomorrow. I couldn't be more excited about it. Nerd? When it comes to this, yes!

It'll be good to see the students again and get back into a routine. I've learned about myself that I don't care too much for unstructured time. Sure, it's good to relax and rest. But sometimes if there's absolutely no structure at all, I can get a little bored. One would think that I would create the structure that is best for me if it's not already there. Nope... not so much. Isn't it interesting that sometimes we know what's best, but we do something completely different? Human nature can be such an enigma!

Anyway, the Christmas break was good. It was short, but good. Filled with MANY Marianist parties and gatherings... way too much good (but terribly bad for you) foods... special prayer services and beautiful Masses. I absolutely love liturgy... especially for big Church feasts. Christmas Eve Mass - not midnight, but 10:30 - was wonderful. There's something about the ritual, symbols, Eucharist and a community gathered that is just so moving. I especially enjoy the privilege of singing in the choir at such celebrations.

This was the first year as a resident of Ohio, however, that I did not go down to Texas during the holidays. There was another year that I was visiting Ohio during the holidays... but at that time I actually lived in Texas. I talked with my family in Texas on Christmas day, but it's not really the same. That was difficult... especially since the days between Christmas and New Years were terribly gray and cold.

So, there's a small update in the craziness that is life. I felt it appropriate to begin with the quote above from Sue Monk Kidd. It's a good thing to keep in mind as the new semester kicks off. Sometimes "unproductive" time is the most productive... if one has an openness. I am hopeful that I can keep that in mind as life gets more hectic...

Many blessings to all who read this!

Sr. N