Palm Sunday Memories

I have wonderful memories of Palm Sundays past. My friend and I for many years went to visit her Dad on Palm Sunday weekend in a rural village in eastern Ontario. The village was small; the parish smaller but the spirit was alive and well. I could see Jesus being very comfortable here riding through town on his wee donkey, a sign of peace rather than dominance in His day.

Sadly, short days later his celebration of welcome turned to one of scorn, the suffering servant was about to be revealed. (Isaiah 50:4-7) He accepted this treatment with faith in His loving Father. With humility, putting others before Himself, (Phil 2:6-11) Jesus submitted to the torture of the cross. Luke’s passion narrative (Luke 22: 14-23, 56) reminds us of Judas’s betrayal, Peter’s denial and repentance, the women’s faithfulness  and centurion’s acknowledgement that Jesus was “this was a great & good Man”.                  

As we move into this most Holy of weeks, let us remind ourselves, daily, of our own faithfulness, our own weaknesses and our belief that Jesus was and is truly our God who loves us especially in our admitted weakness. May you have a blessed Holy Week my friends.

-Maureen Condon, CSJ Associate

Images from Unsplash: Brooke Lark/Alessandro Bellone

Notice the Invisible

Today we are into the second week of April when crocuses have already pushed through the cold dark earth and tulips, and daffodils are inching above ground with the promise of spring.

I did not expect to see snow falling this morning but there it was.  However, as the flakes fluttered and fell, they instantly melted on all the surfaces in sight.

Then I noticed two snowflakes that did not land, no longer fluttered and did not melt.

They were caught in an unfinished strand of a spider web and waved up and down on my balcony for at least two minutes.

I’m left with an inner experience of awe at how what is invisible can capture and take control of the movements of a delicate visible snowflake. 

-Sister Elaine Cole, CSJ

Images courtesy of Unsplash: Julian/

A Sanctuary of Soulful Space

I heard a four-word phrase the other day that stirred something deep within me: “an oasis of sanity.” The phrase was so simple, yet I think it captures a rather common longing many of us share. We find ourselves surrounded by chaos, crisis and confusion and we desire a haven. Where we might find shelter, a soulful space to escape the daily craziness? Today’s fast paced world often feels like it is spinning out of control. We often experience ourselves disheartened, disconnected and discombobulated, unmoored amidst all the noise. Much like a desert, we can encounter a profound sense of emptiness and isolation. Where might we come upon an oasis to regain a modicum of sanity at least temporally?

“ “The oasis of your soul can never be found in the outer world, but only within.””

Declan Fitzpatrick, the author of the book "Rules for Regaining Sanity” offers seven strategies for helping individuals gain a measure of peace and help them stay sane in our chaotic world. I hope you’ll check out Declan Fitzpatrick’s advice. “Staying Sane in a Crazy World”

May you repeatedly discover “oasis of sanity” to be a survivor of today’s daily craziness.

 -Sister Nancy Wales, csj

Image: David Emrich/Unsplash