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Humbling ourselves to gain help
Thirty-five years ago, Sister Beth responded to her religious community's call to go "live on the margins," as she described it, with the Appalachian poor in southwestern Virginia.
Since then, she has thrived in ministry there, gaining a reputation among the struggling people of the region as a tough social justice advocate and gentle, compassionate counselor.
Although her ministry has addressed a wide range of concerns, her greatest contributions have been in treating victims of substance abuse and establishing an addiction education center.
September 14, 2008
Exaltation
of the Holy Cross
Numbers 21:4b-9
Psalm 78:1bc-2, 34-38
Philippians 2:6-11
John 3:13-17
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Sister Beth has a great gift for working with victims of addiction. But that gift came not through her education or training. Nor did it come through her religious vows. It came when she humbled herself, "becoming obedient to God to the point of death," a real experience parallel to the example in Paul's letter to the Philippians.
Here's how it happened: When she moved to Appalachia, Sister Beth had already been a nun for more than a decade, serving as a teacher and administrator in a Connecticut Catholic high school. When she arrived she was excited, inspired, and committed. She also was an alcoholic.
She hid the fact for the first few years, but it came out when she was arrested for DUI and tossed in jail. "That was when I got on my knees and admitted total powerlessness," she said.
Just as in the passage from Numbers where the Israelites had to face their sinfulness, this was a moment of self-recognition for Sister Beth, a necessary one that would raise her to new life through reliance on God.
"What a place I had come to. I thought I was nothing," she remembered. "But after these many years and what I have experienced here, I've learned that what I thought was the worst thing that ever happened to me turned out to be my greatest gift."
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For reflection:
• When was a time when poor choices and their consequences forced you to admit powerlessness?
• What do you recognize as God's work in the resulting experiences?
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Today's Gospel explains, "God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him." Sister Beth's experience shows how God deals with us and our poor choices if we humble ourselves, admit powerlessness, and open our lives to his mercy and strength.
This column is offered in cooperation with the North Texas Catholic of Fort
Worth, Texas.
This week's readings
Week of September 14 - 20, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Reading I: Nm 21:4b-9
Reading II: Phil 2:6-11
Gospel: Jn 3:13-17
Monday, September 15, 2008
Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows
Reading I: 1 Cor 11:17-26, 33
Gospel: Jn 19:25-27 or Lk 2:33-35
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Memorial of Saint Cornelius, pope and martyr, and Saint Cyprian, bishop and martyr
Reading I: 1 Cor 12:12-14, 27-31a
Gospel: Lk 7:11-17
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Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Reading I: 1 Cor 12:31--13:13
Gospel: Lk 7:31-35
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Reading I: 1 Cor 15:1-11
Gospel: Lk 7:36-50
Friday, September 19, 2008
Reading I: 1 Cor 15:12-20
Gospel: Lk 8:1-3
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Memorial of Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, priest and martyr, and Saint Paul Chong Hasang, martyr, and their companions, martyrs
Reading I: 1 Cor 15:35-37, 42-49
Gospel: Lk 8:4-15
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Pope's Prayer Intentions
September General Intention
Refugees. That Christians may defend and protect refugees. |
September Mission Intention
Christian Families. That every Christian family may be a small evangelizing community which is responsive to the needs of others.
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Prayers for Those Suffering from the Floods
Diocese of Madison
Summer 2008
God of Mercy,
Look kindly on us in our suffering.
Ease our burdens and make our faith strong
That we may always have confidence and trust
In your fatherly care.
We ask this through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen
From the Sacramentary, Masses for Various Needs: For Any Need (B)
God our Father,
you set the earth on it foundations
and separated the land from the water.
Look upon all affected by this flood.
Ease their suffering, strengthen their faith,
and increase their love of you and neighbor.
Inspire all people of good will
to serve you by serving others
so that, from the darkness of this disaster,
the light of Christ may shine even more brightly in the world,
for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.
Amen |
Prayer to St. Raphael
Glorious Archangel St. Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, you are illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace. You are a guide of those who journey by land or sea or air, consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners.
We beg you, assist us in all our needs and in all the sufferings of this life, as once you helped the young Tobias on his travels. Because you are the "medicine of God" we humbly pray you to heal the many infirmities of our souls and the ills that afflict our bodies.
We especially ask your guidance of our diocese as we journey toward the rebuilding of a cathedral bearing your name, and the great grace of purity to prepare us to be temples of the Holy Spirit. As our intercessor, beg the Blessed Trinity to prosper the work of our hands and, above all, to bring us, face-to-face, into their Holy presence.
Amen. |
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