The profound part of this story is that this is the scripture that Little Sister Marie was led to back in the 70s when she was encouraged by her Dominican community to start her own order... She had been studying the roots of her order and gotten into the powerful part of prayer and poverty and carrying forth Christ into the world... She felt strongly that the Lord was directing her to "beg for their daily bread from the poor." How can this be she thought and asked the Lord to reveal to her his will.. this scripture was where she was led! "When you go to beg your daily bread in the neighborhood and you knock on the doors, to the world you seem to bring nothing to those homes, but in reality you are bringing the love of Christ, the Hope of Christ, the Joy of Christ to those that you visit, inspiring in them, evoking in them a realization of God's presence." - Homily of Archbishop Joseph Naumann, Oct 1,2008
In writing this I am struck with the story that one of the Little Sisters shared with us about how she knocked on the door of a young woman...She seemed angry and had gang and prison symbols tatooed on her arms and face. She seemed to be in disbelief that when she did not even have enough for her children that a Little Sister would come begging from her. As they were talking... she with a softer heart said to her... "Well, I could give you a glass of water on this hot day." Alma was overjoyed as she shared this story with us, and I could see in the geture that the young woman had allowed the Lord to touch her and in reponce to feeling his love she had shared of what little that she had to share, and in turn been blessed in that gesture... LS Alma standing there in humility had allowed her to give and reap those rewards! But now in the light of the story of Elijah and the widow and how she without protest was sharing of the "water" that she so cherished in this time of "drought"... This young girl too had felt so empty and without love... yet after sharing with this woman at her door... there out of love and hope for this woman and her family was able to give from her "drought" and the living waters of healing started to flow!
What they say about these missions that they go on.... "Being a new branch of the Dominican order - they were formed in 1983 and there are 130 little Sisters and 30 little brothers - we strive to re-emphasize mendicancy(praciticing begging), which is part of the original charism of this begging order... We go out into the neighborhood to beg for our daily bread.... Our mission is not just about being poor and begging. It is a movement toward communion."
"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Give the same consideration to all others alike, associate with the humble... " (St Paul to the Romans 12:14-16)
I could go on and on... I marvel at the power of their lives and I see the joy that my daughter Little Sister Hallel has found becoming a part of their community! They have changed me! Today once again in morning prayer (see http://www.magnificat.com/ ) another Hallel psalm! Psalm 149.... "Sing a new song to the Lord... and make music with timbril and harp." How appropriate as you sit in prayer with them at all times their voices are raised in song! Such amazing song that people ask them if you must have a beautiful voice to join them... our Susan/little Sister Hallel does and people that sit around us when our girls are with us in church will attest to that! We have been told that it is not a requirement, but it is total joy and power to listen to those voices raised in love and worship for their spouce! "Children in our neighborhood come to listen to our singing... but they also enjoy staying during our silent adoration. One of those children told their principal, "They are nuns , they sing for God!" '
From the amazing Gospel today... Matthew 5 how I love it! "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father." (Mtt 5:13-16)
Lord Jesus Christ... May we armed with prayer and love of your amazing Word, go forth into our lives and share that light and hope with all those in "our community"... our families, our work, our Church, our neighborhoods, our world! If we are experiencing "drought" ... show us that in giving from our meager smallness that you will never allow it to run dry, but will continue to miraculously give us more and more of that love we shared... so that it will grow and grow, and we will be nourished and brought to LIFE! WE want to live in and with you, and we know that it starts with loving our neighbor as we do ourselves. WE humbly ask you to use us to your honor and glory. Jesus we trust in You! Amen and Halleluia! Bless-bless, Barb
I came across this - Susan in her school play... Nunsence... a role that was made for her in more ways than one!
On mission in their "poor neighborhood in KC.
They go forth in twos to "beg for their daily bread"
Knocking on doors - representing Christ knocking on the door of our hearts!
"The core of our Community life is the Eucharist, announced and prolonged in liturgical prayer and silent adoration. This is how we begin and end each day."
...."A place of prayer of beauty of peace of compassion."
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