 Psalm 123
A song of ascents To you I raise my eyes, to you enthroned in heaven. In the midst of life’s many difficulties we turn to God. We cry out as Job cried out. We cry out as even Christ himself cried out in the Garden: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me…” But we know as Christ knew, “not as I will, but as you will.”
0 Comments
 Psalm 122
A song of ascents. Of David. I rejoiced when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” Notice here the psalmist is not alone. He has been joined by others who are also on their way to the Temple. There is excitement in the air. You can almost see if you close your eyes. The path is crowded with people, chattering excitedly about their destination. People find their feet seem to be a little lighter. The weariness of the long journey is somehow lessened now that Jerusalem stands before them Are we excited in a similar way when we find ourselves heading to Mass, to our Bible study, or our Adoration hour? Do we gather with our fellow Christians and chatter, saying to one another “Let us go to the house of the Lord, let us go to the church?” Or rather do we find ourselves saying we have to go? Do we find this pilgrimage and journey to God a hassle or an inconvenience? Do we resent the many people we see walking the road with us? 
Contact:
Sr. Emmanuella, O.P. Novice Mistress | Dominican Nuns | Springfield, IL 217-787-0481 or 856-278-6939 emmanuella.op@gmail.com
PART I
When one thinks of contemplative nuns – women living a hidden life of prayer – hardly ever does anyone think of Dominican nuns. It is, rather, Carmelites, Poor Clares, or Trappistines that come to mind. In fact, most people are not aware that Dominican nuns even exist. And this even at the highest level of Church authority! Very often when questionnaires/bulletins are sent out from the Sacred Congregation for Religious, we Dominican nuns are overlooked.  Psalm 121
A song of ascents I raise my eyes toward the mountains. From whence shall come my help? At this, the beginning of our journey, it’s natural to ask questions, to have worries and anxieties. The singer is far from the center of worship and from God, but still there is trust.  Psalm 120
A song of ascents The LORD answered me when I called in my distress: When we cry out to God we are always heard. Whether we cry out loudly to the mountains or find ourselves weeping quietly in our room, God hears us. And as surely as hears us, so too does he answer us. Our pilgrimage begins with this assurance: Emmanuel, God with us.  The 150 Psalms contained in the Bible leave no experience unseen and no emotion unfelt. They speak to us throughout the long years of this world and our own lives. Not only do they speak, but they train and condition us for the Christian life. St. Ambrose of Milan called the Psalms the “gymnasium of the soul.”
 A new year is upon us, but not only that, Lent is also just around the corner. It's a time of renewal for all Christians, a time to grow and to fall deeper in love with Jesus Christ, and to commit more fully to living our Baptismal call.
But how do we do that? The first step is of course prayer. Here are a few of our favorites:  Earlier in October, Eliud Kipchoge broke the Two-Hour Marathon Barrier with a time of 1:59:40.
His achievement is a tremendous accomplishment and highlights his own individual ability, but it also speaks to the importance of training. And our training as Christians is just as intense sometimes as Eliud's was, just in a different way.  Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas For Right Ordering: For After Receiving Communion
"Generously Grant to me, O Lord my God, Intelligence in knowing you, Diligence in seeking you, Wisdom in finding you, Conduct pleasing to you, Perseverance in trustingly awaiting you, And Trust in finally embracing you."  Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas For Right Ordering: For After Receiving Communion
"Generously Grant to me, O Lord my God, Intelligence in knowing you, Diligence in seeking you, Wisdom in finding you, Conduct pleasing to you, Perseverance in trustingly awaiting you, And Trust in finally embracing you. |
Dominican Friars of St. Louis, MOThe Dominican Friars living at St. Dominic Priory in St. Louis, MO are members of both the Central U.S. Province and the Southern U.S. Province. Our student friars go through their formation together at the St. Louis Studium, otherwise known as the House of Studies. Archives
February 2020
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed