How can begging from the poor allow Little Sisters to fulfill the corporal works of Mercy?

 

Pat walking down the street in Kansas City with 2 dear friends from The Little Sisters of the Lamb a few years back.  

One of Pat's favorite stories from our Community of the Lamb is how they went begging in a poor neighborhood for some food at the doors of the Poor.  A young mother answered the door with tatoos which indicated that she had been in a gang and in prison.  "How can you ask me for food.  I don't even have enough for my children?" she answered in anger.  The Sisters then shared with her the Gospel and asked for her prayer intentions to take with them in prayer during mass and adoration.  "I guess, I could give you a glass of water." she brought tears to their eyes and Joy to their hearts!  

Visiting the farm in Minnesota shortly after Susan/Hallel left to enter in 2008!

The Gospel today is Jesus teaching about how we are called to do these works of Mercy...‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father.
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
a stranger and you welcomed me,
naked and you clothed me,
ill and you cared for me,
in prison and you visited me.’
Then the righteous will answer him and say,
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,
or thirsty and give you drink?
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you,
or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’
And the king will say to them in reply,
‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did
for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’  Matthew 25

The Word of God being processed forward before reading The Gospel at mass.  Hallel's Community is very centered on Jesus in The Word, as well as His Body and Blood in the Eucharist!  Mass each day and morning and evening prayer followed by an hour with Jesus in Adoration.  

The Word is "chewed on" mendicated by The Community beginning the night before.  Each line spoken and chanted numerous times to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to the heart, mind and soul!

Jesus coming forth in The Word.

Sharing at the Parent's weekend.  Hallel remained in France, but was with us in spirit.

My Most Cherished Cross as Hallel reminded us in 2010 in a letter to her sister, Nancy, on the occasion of her engagement to Bill!

Nancy, Look I am writing you a letter... aren't you impressed? Well, you better be because both you and I know how often this happens. I am writing to tell you now extremely excited I am about your engagement to Bill. I have to admit, when I got the news I wasn't really shocked but that night as it sunk in during adoration and the next day during mass I was so happy. My heart overflowed with joy for you. How beautiful to know that you have found your... most cherished cross. While I have never had the experience of being married, from what I hear is that he will truly be your cross. But not your cross as human eyes look at it, as a thing to run away from, as a thing of torture but rather as that which is truly the tree of life. It is only when clinging to the cross that one can truly live, it is the source of all life and of all love. Your marriage to Bill will be this, not something to run away from when it gets hard and when it hurts, but something to hold tight to, especially when it hurts because it is in this that you will find life and love. Know that it is through your marriage that Jesus wants to show you his great love for you and also that the best example that you can give to the world of Christ's love is a marriage lived in truth. So, in other words, know that I am so happy for you and that I love you a whole lot. Know that you are in my prayers during this crazy time of wedding planning; that you may not go crazy but rather learn to love each other better and that you may both have great joy and great peace. Remember to pray for me too! God Bless, Your little Sister Hallel

Jesus so close to us!  Humble wooden Monstance holding Jesus - we witness the recognition of His REAL PRESENCE in word and action as we bow in prayer!  

Little Sister Marie just celebrated her 80th birthday on Ash Wednesday. "Actually we celebrated the night before due to the fasting and penance we embrace on Ash Wednesday."  Hallel reported to me.  She shared that 100 from around Europe came to join in the celebration!  

Little Sister Marie founded The Community of the Lamb in the early 70s after Vatican 2 called upon Religious Communities to go back to their roots.  Little Sister Marie was Dominican and St Dominic begged for his food as did his followers.  Marie was led even deeper to "beg from the poor for our food."  How can this be? she asked.  She was led to I Kings 17 - Elijah and the Widow.

Elijah and the Widow at Zarephath

7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” 10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”

12 “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”

13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’”

Little Sister Stella and her mom 3 weeks ago on the family weekend!  Stella received her habit and changed her name this past summer in Saint Pierre, France!

Often when we visit we are blessed with stories of when they go out on mission to beg from the poor.  What really stands out is how this in turn allows those they knock on the door - to give of their want to the Little Sisters.  As the young woman was blessed by giving them a glass of water, so often those they share food with along with the Gospel, prayer and loving concern in taking their needs to prayer.  It allows others to live out the Gospel by living out the corporal works of Mercy!

A sharing by Little Brother Isaac on the wonderful LIFE our children have said "yes" to!

Susan and John in Kansas City years ago.  Notice Hallel is saying her rosary as she walks the hilly streets with her brother.

A good reminder of what we are called to perform in our lives, homes, and all!

John in Saint Pierre for the first time after his second chemo for brain cancer and he got better!  We were there to witness Hallel take her habit and go from Susan Angela to Little Sister Hallel!  

Soon to take the habit!!!  

A short night praying for our litany of famiy - over 250+ with both our sides!   This sharing is late today as it was my first day delivering meals on wheels at a neighboring town complete with ice on all the sidewalks and porches, and old directions... sigh!  At least I had my chapel on wheels coming and going to give me much needed peace!

Such amazing Saints today one with a baby at her breast and the other pregnant!  Such strong women!

St JPII come to the aid of the Ukrainians!

So beautiful and True!!!  

The day after dad's birthday - he gives me smiles knowing how he loved The Name, and truly is rejoicing in heaven forever with the Lord and Lady!

Beautiful True words today from amazing Pope Benedict XVI!  Please, Lord, help our world to find morals and values to live a holy and good life with Jesus, and His Bride, The Church and Mary the Queen of heaven and earth!  Bless-bless, Barbara and the 48 - 33 here and 15 in heaven including mom and dad 

Oh, that we would hear the church bells throughout the day, and leave all behind to go to church and worship as a family.  The Church is the pearl of great price...  Our Lord and Lady - the King and Queen of heaven and earth!

Peter Mayer - Holy Now

Sabat Mater - Vivaldi