Sep 28, 2022 | DAILY BREAD
Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels
Gospel – John 1:47-51
“I tell you most solemnly, you will see heaven laid open and, above the Son of Man, the angels of God ascending and descending”. Today in the feast of Archangels, Jesus indicates the presence of angels and their relationship with him. They are angels of God. They are above the Son of God ascending and descending. Nathanael was amazed to hear that Jesus knew him when he was under the fig tree. But Jesus is inviting him to something bigger. He is inviting Nathanael to be part of heaven, to a dynamic relationship. This happens because of his encounter with Jesus. Often our spiritual life is confined to be under the fig tree, a static relationship, when we don’t move to this encounter with Jesus. But when we have this encounter with Jesus, we will feel the presence of heaven and the angels ascending and descending. Listening and following. Asking and receiving. Knocking and opening. That means our spiritual life becomes a dynamic relationship with Jesus. The gospel passage asks: is our relationship with Jesus a dynamic relationship of ascending and descending angels or just a static relationship of being under the fig tree?
Sep 28, 2022 | NEWS
On September 20, 2022, the “Induction Day for New Employees” took place in the St. Augustinus Monastery in Berlin. This day has been held twice a year in Berlin since 2005 (there was an interruption only in times of Corona). The newly added employees in the Sisters of Mary facilities in and around Berlin are invited to this event, i.e. from the Marien Hospital in Berlin-Lankwitz and the senior citizens’ facilities in Berlin-Kreuzberg, -Karlshorst and Luckenwalde.
The day was led by the Vicar General, Sr. Petra, and the manager of our facilities, Mr. Thomas Wagner. After a round of introductions, the participants learned from Sr. Petra about the origins and history of the congregation. In a further step, Mr. Wagner explained the structure and working methods of our facilities using the organizational chart and addressed the current problems and challenges. The participants had the opportunity to ask questions and after initial reluctance, a lively exchange developed. This time it was also a special pleasure that the Superior General, Sr. M. Sybilla, took part in the meeting and was also happy to get involved in the discussions.
The presentation of the mission statement of our institutions, in which the participants are familiarized with the principles and guidelines that guide the work in our institutions, was another important focus of this meeting. Here values and the Christian image of man, the self-understanding of pastoral care, dealing with dying and terminal care were informed and discussed.
After a feedback session, where the participants could give their feedback and wishes, the meeting ended with an ecumenical service in our hospital chapel.
Since we have been holding this day in the German Province for so long, I can say that it has a good tradition and is valued by the employees and they wish for more such meetings.
Sep 28, 2022 | NEWS
After celebrating the 50th anniversary of our congregation in Tanzania in July of this year, we had a great joy on September 8, 2022 that 7 young girls started their novitiate in Chikukwe (Tanzania) and other 7, after completing their candidacy, have asked to be included in the postulancy of our congregation.
Let us accompany these young girls with our prayers as we ask God to continue accompanying our congregation with His blessings so that the work and charism of our Founder may continue to spread and develop in Tanzania in the future.
Sep 28, 2022 | DAILY BREAD
Wednesday of week 26 in Ordinary Time
Saint Wenceslaus, Martyr
Saints Laurence Ruiz and his Companions, Martyrs
Gospel – Luke 9:57-62
We want to follow Jesus. That is for sure, but we have our conditions. Our vocation is to follow a person, Jesus Christ. Not an idea, not some ideals. The difference between following a person and an idea is this. When you are following a idea, you can put your own ideas and principles into it. But when you are following a person, you must follow fully that person without conditions. Our conditions cannot be part of our following because in following Jesus Christ, we give up all our conditions. Conditions make compromised discipleship. Whereas unconditional following make radical discipleship. Today the gospel asks us to meditate: my following of Jesus Christ, is it a compromised discipleship or a radical discipleship?
Sep 26, 2022 | DAILY BREAD
Tuesday of week 26 in Ordinary Time
Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest
Gospel – Luke 9:51-56
Jesus is the one who rebukes us whenever we resort to violence. It’s our natural tendency to react with violence to teach justice, to bring justice. Our sense of justice always empowers us to enforce justice with all means. But it is where the rebuke of Jesus who is going to Jerusalem comes. Rebuke of Jesus who is going to accept the cross for all the sins of others comes. Rebuke of Jesus who is going to bring justice with his love. Love and sharing in truth contain justice in itself. There this gospel passage is asking us: is our sense of justice is provoking us to resort to any means or is provoking us to love and share more in truth? You want to do justice to someone who is poor, just share what you have.
