Sister Patrica Bruno’s reflection for April 25 can be found on the USCCB website.

The Easter reflection for April 21st was prepared by Sister Carla Kovack, OP. It can be viewed at the USCCB website.

Recently three of us, Sisters Carla Kovack, Patricia Bruno, and myself, had the privelege of preparing a reflection for some of the daily scripture readings during the Easter season – in April, to be videotaped at the chancery office in San Francisco. Our videos would then be available online at the U.S. Bishops’ (USCCB) website.

Besides having the daily readings available online, and by podcast, the USCCB also offers daily video reflections. This is a wonderful service that the Church offers to everyone to assist them in incorporating the scriptures into their daily lives.

All of them are worth watching, but of course I’m putting in my plug for our sisters’, The for  April 18 was prepared by yours truly.

Acts 4: 32-35; 1John 5: 1-6; John 20: 19-31

To Dream The Impossible Dream …
Peace on Earth, goodwill to all
Peace starts with a smile

What would it be like to have a world where we would have total and complete PEACE? Yes, that is a dream but in the three readings for today each one comes with a focus on how to work for peace. “If you want peace work for justice” is familiar to many of us. We see it on bumper stickers, banners, windows, etc. It is a constant reminder that we need to work for peace. The first reading asks us to bring about peace by sharing what we have with those in need. The second reading from 1 John asks us to live the ten commandments to bring about peace. The Gospel asks us to minister actively to others in many ways. It is like a stairs; each step can bring us closer to our destination, which is peace.

“We come to reclaim this property for peaceful purpose and bring an invitation to the base commander to join us in dialogue about the Puget Sound Nuclear Weapons Free Zone.” This is a quotation from three people, Fr. Bichsel SJ, Reverend Ann Hall and Tom Karlin who were on trial recently for crossing the line at the Bangor Nuclear Base to deliver this message. They are actively standing up for peace. Yes, we do need to pray for them, but how are we called to bring about peace? The song entitled, “Prayer to St. Francis” is a song that most of us know. It clearly states how we can bring about peace on a daily basis. We aren’t all going to protest and end up in jail, but if each one of us does our part, we will move ourselves and our world closer to PEACE. I saw a quotation recently that says, “Peace starts with a smile.” Each one of us can do our part by helping the poor, living fully the ten commandments, and going out and ministering to those in need.

Patty Beattie, OP
Tacoma Dominican Community

April 19, 2009

Acts 4: 13-21; Mark 16: 9-15

“Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15

By His victory over death Jesus, through the power of our Creator, has transformed the whole world. How am I a part of that transformation?

With his command to go and teach all nations each of us is challenged to be an integral part of that transformation. How do I fulfill my part? Am I like the disciples who, for whatever reasons, refused to believe Mary Magdalene or the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, who shared their encounter with Jesus? Do I encounter such disbelief when I attempt to proclaim the Gospel to others in my neck of the woods?

In our chapter acts we are challenged to preach the Gospel by counteracting the evil in our society, such as the abuse of individuals through human trafficking, and to do our share to preserve our earth. I question myself as to how well or poorly do I live up to this challenge.

As we live this Alleluia time in our Church Year it behooves each of us to be the leaven in our society who proclaim the Gospel to all with whom we come in contact.

Esther Aherne, OP
Tacoma Dominican Community

A[ril 18, 2009

Acts 4: 1-12; John 21: 1-14

“We cannot stop proclaiming what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20

What’s awesome to me about this recollection of the early Christian community is their fire, passion and liberation from fear, as they bore witness to the Resurrection of Jesus. These were ordinary people eking out a living in hard times. They were transformed by their experiences of the Resurrection to do extraordinary, good acts in their communities. These companions of Jesus were forming a new type of community: one of friendship and  compassionate service for those who yearned to be included in a society which spurned people who were poor, sick, ignorant or foreigners.

Women brought special gifts to creating these communities: their homes, hospitality, communal meals, friendship, prayer circles and compassionate outreach to the needy. Dominic’s vision impels us to create loving communities wherever we are: Catherine Place, immigration ministries, generosity in funding aid to orphans who are victims of HIV/AIDS, safe havens for victims of human trafficking and through collaboration with networks that address peace and justice issues. This is our way to embody and proclaim the outrageous hope of the Resurrection today.

We pray:

“Gracious God we seek the flame of bold speech and action that we may be faithful to Dominic’s call to be your Holy Preaching.” (Fire the Vision Convocation Prayer, April 26, 2008).

Response: Today I will bring my special gifts to create loving communities.

Pam Calvin, OPA
Tacoma Dominican Community

April 17, 2009

Acts 3: 11-26; Luke 24: 13-35

The darkness of that Terrible Friday is past as is the bewilderment of Saturday when Mary of Magdala saw that her Rabboni had left her. I heard Thomas express doubts and wondered if perhaps my name could be Thomas. Then the activity of the Apostles was evident in the healings that were happening. And the challenge given by Peter: “Why are you amazed at this; why do you stare at us as if it were some act of holiness on our own part …?” and Jesus: challenge them and today, challenges me: You are my witness and my heir to the Covenant.

So now what? The story’s been told, the excitement is over. I can go about my daily task until I dress in my red for Pentecost, yes?

Oh? This Jesus is a loving and forgiving God begging me to participate in what is to come, and I’m going about my business as usual? Do I even question why Jesus did this? Maybe, just maybe he was trying to get me to open my eyes, to think back on his life and finally begin to understand how living his life as he did is an example to me; that my life is so intertwined with his that my walks to my Emmauses through life, must be born of Christ walking with me. To touch his wounds is to accept that I may be asked to experience wounds due to my speaking out for the sake of justice for refugees; to free a person who is being “sold”; to challenge the “Temple” that is speaking through raw power and not by God’s authority and grace. Maybe, just maybe, I will begin to understand that Jesus, in unlimited love, designed his whole life to show me the challenges that I, in community, imbued with that same love, can create a just society that will address basic human needs and end the violence that erodes our society. Now together, let’s put on our red and go forth to LIGHT THE FIRE as we live our call: PRIEST, PROPHET and KING (Queen).

Michele MacMillan, OP
Tacoma Dominican Community

April 16, 2009

Acts 3: 1-10; Luke 24: 13-35

The man in Acts was “crippled from birth.” His life was literally “a drag,” waiting every day for others to carry him to the gate so he could beg for alms for survival.

When Peter and John came by, did he know of their connection with the Galilean? Did he know they were in the inner circle of Jesus’ love? We are not sure about these things, but the account certainly focuses on the interaction where Peter looks intently and says, “Look at us?” The man gives his whole attention and learns something sad: they have no money. And something happy: they will give what they have. Rather than a pittance, he receives legs that now work and gives the best performance of his life walking, jumping and praising! He is so exuberant! Are we free enough to walk, jump and praise God? The man was “too small” in his asking, but he did not miss a greater gift. He was paying attention.

Have you ever prayed for a long time, asking for what you thought was a reasonable gift only to find upon paying attention that the answer is even better than your request? God wants to give us more and more life to give to others. We need to give our whole attention and not limit God’s beneficence. We may even do as the disciples did on the way to Emmaus, focus on past events and miss Jesus right in front of them. But they were paying attention with burning hearts and did eventually come to the present moment and recognize him. God is patient with us until we “get it.” Also in this passage there is an obvious parallel to the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Jesus is present in both parts of worship and in our experience and interaction with people and all other creatures outside of
formal worship.

Whatever ways we are “crippled” or “slow to believe,” may they be the avenues to a greater healing gift of the Resurrected Jesus coming to show us how absolutely and unconditionally he loves us.

Patty Morisset, OP
Tacoma Dominican Community

April 15, 1009

Acts 2: 36-41; John 20: 11-18

“He Called Her by Name”
Such grief…
her whole being had shred.
Yet, alone in the half-night
she trod
With the oils
to anoint the dead.
Her footprints light
on the dew-wet sod.
Unworthy woman,
axis of blame,
Feared not to claim
her wellspring of love.
To the burial place
she came
As the sunrise summoned
the mourning dove.
She wept…
though she felt not alone.
“Mary!”
Her own name cast a spell.
He called her…
all sorrow now gone!
He sent her…
to the brethren, “Go tell…!”

Nora Murphy, OP
Tacoma Dominican Community

April 14, 2009

Acts 2: 14, 22-33; Matthew 28: 8-15

In a Marty Haugen song we pray “Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.” That is the experience of Mary of Magdala and the other Mary as they go to a place of death, the tomb of their dear friend, and come face-to-face with Jesus. We can only imagine their agony, their fear, as they come in grief. But their sorrow is shattered as they experience the presence of Jesus, who then commissions them to be apostles to the apostles. They are missioned to send the others to Galilee, for there, as Jesus says, “They will see me.” The Gospel’s message is clear: we must not live in fear – or grief or complacency or apathy. We are mandated to leave that lifeless zone and move into the freedom of God’s presence.

The two Marys were overwhelmed by shock and sorrow. But then, confronted by the reality of God’s presence, Jesus tells them not to be afraid. Then they were able to joyfully shout the news that Jesus lives: God is.

In Nelson Mandela’s 1994 Inaugural speech he said, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.” Today’s readings do more than try to tease us out of complacency, fear, or any blockage of God’s action. They are an invitation to be liberated from fear into the fullness of the life that is so much more than we can ask or imagine.

The Scriptures for today don’t probe how we earn a living, but how we live. They invite us to live into the reality that we are the image, the creation of God.

Karen Conlin, SNJM
Friend of the Tacoma Dominican Community

April 13, 2009