Message from a Stranger; a Meeting of Compassion

By Henrita Frost, SSND

“You are beautiful”
Message from a stranger
Meeting compassion

One Saturday morning, after having the oil changed in my car I decided to stop for lunch.  As I was sitting there a woman stood before me and said, “You are beautiful” and walked away.  Having been absorbed in my thoughts with a problem, I wondered what she perceived that I couldn’t feel.

Then there she was again greeting me with “you are beautiful.”   She sat down to wait for a cab.  Kerry began to share about her life, the difficulties and changes.  After 20 years she had just returned to the area where she has family.

Kerry offered to treat me to desert which I had ordered.  Instantly I offered to buy her lunch saying I have plenty of money.  Then I caught myself – a gift is being offered – this isn’t about you, it is about Kerry.  I said to myself, “free yourself to receive.”  The check had come and she placed a $20 bill on it.  I felt uncomfortable as I handed the $20 and my credit card to the server.  The hostess came to tell Kerry that her cab had come and in an instant she was gone.

I wondered if Kerry needed the money.  Again I had to remind myself – this isn’t about you, it is about someone who has offered you compassion.  Surely, it was a welcomed offering as I reflected on how I felt when I was absorbed in my own thoughts about a problem.

After my encounter with Kerry life was lighter and brighter!  If I could always remember, that the power of pausing for simple encounters with others is uplifting.  I also wonder if you are beautiful was about inner or outer beauty or both, but it really doesn’t matter, for whatever it was the encounter was beautiful, profound, mysterious and a simple experience of compassion.

A brief encounter
Time for the spirit to soar
Grateful for Strangers

 

Remember the Victims of Trafficking

 

U.N. World Day Against Human Trafficking

Every country must join together to overcome this transnational threat by supporting and protecting victims while pursuing and prosecuting the criminals. On the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, let us resolve to act as one in the name of justice and dignity for all.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Creator God, you have lovingly made us and have gifted each of us with freedom in knowing that we are your children.

May we respond with mercy and compassion to our sisters and brothers who have lost this freedom through human trafficking.

May our compassion move us to give voice to the voiceless and to work towards changing systems and structures that allow trafficking to exist.

We are thankful for your call to justice, so that all may ‘have life and have it to the full.’(John 10:10) Amen.

(Prepared by SSND Shalom Club, Institute of Notre Dame, Baltimore, MD )

Offered by Henrita Frost, SSND

Trust and Dare

By Henrita Frost, SSND

Sometimes when I am meditating in our Mary of the Angels Chapel I take some time with our seven impressive stained glass windows.  Each window holds the shape of the cross with a distinctive center and they follow the chakra colors.  Overtime I have developed stories about the centers.

This time my attention focused on the indigo window and its center that I describe as a swirling universe – spinning to where?

With trepidation I wonder, is it for the sake of a culture of life, or for a culture of death – or a culture of compassion, or a culture of violence.  Or perhaps it is simultaneously doing both, the intermingling of life and death, compassion and violence.

Response to Sad Times

By Marie Stratford

Fear.  When we are consumed with it we REACT.  Reactions are filled with emotions and actions that we are often sorry for later.

Please Calm.  Become informed.  Sit.

RESPOND with both your heart and mind.

Rage….anger…..hurt……fear as motivators = REACTIONS.  Love……compassion….understanding = RESPONSES.

It’s easy to say this from a small midwest rural community…….harder to say in cities rocked by tragedy.

I pray someone in a large city where hearts are hurting and emotions are bare will hear me……feel my prayers……get comfort from my energy.  I send my RESPONSE with love and focused intention.  May someone hurting hear my prayer…..feel my prayer……feel your prayer…….hear your prayer.

St Teresa of Avila wrote

Christ has no body but yours
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks with compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world,
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, YOU ARE HIS BODY.

Today June 20 is World Refugee Day

by Henrita Frost, SSND

“Refugees are people like anyone else, like you and me.

They led ordinary lives before becoming displaced,

and their biggest dream is to be able to live normally again.

On this World Refugee Day, let us recall our common humanity,

celebrate tolerance and diversity and open our hearts to refugees everywhere.”

       – U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon

The United Nations’ World Refugee Day commemorates the millions of refugees throughout the world, honoring their strength, courage, and resilience. Let us each reflect on how I can honor refugees.  Follow your heart’s desire. . .

Visit UN Refugee Agency

In Memoriam-Refugees and Migrants Fled-Hoping for New Life!

By Henrita Frost, SSND

The Mandala by Sister Henrita is in honor of all refugees and migrants who lost their lives at sea.

In Memoriam

Refugees and migrants fled

Hoping for new life!

The contemplation of the waters of our Global Community as vessels of drowning for refugees and migrants is indeed heart wrenching.  Yet, it is undeniably our global reality and may even sometimes go unnoticed.  This week the United Nations’ refugee agency released a report stating that more than 2,500 people, women, children and men, have died trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea in rubber dinghies and rusting fishing boats so far this year, as of May 2016.

Heart Open. . .Feed His Lambs

By Marie Stratford

Peter was a disciple of Jesus.

Peter taught us about the power of our faith when he walked on water and the power of doubt when he started to sink.

Peter taught us about deeply believing — deeply committing to having Jesus’ back — and then when challenged he was human and denied even knowing Jesus.

The disciples did not have the power of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. They lived in a culture that focused on the law — even when following it no longer made sense. As they lived in their heads, Jesus called them to live in their hearts — as he did — focused, motivated and empowered by receiving and giving love.

Easter Sunday’s Hope: Jesus Face of God’s Mercy Risen Among Us

 

By Henrita Frost, SSND

Good Friday night at the conclusion of the Way of the Cross at the Coliseum, Pope Francis recited a prayer that he had written – these words begin each verse of his prayer – “O Cross of Christ today we see you in. . .

The prayer starts with a heart-rending and intense reflection drawing us into an experience of our sisters and brothers, in the Global Community, who are victims of heartless, inhuman and violent suffering, in unbelievable ways. Francis includes the destruction of our “common home” as he prays. As he continues his prayer – “O Cross of Christ today we see you in. . .

March 22 Is World Water Day: Here are Some Ways to Observe It

 

Learn:  Take 3 minutes to learn more about World Water Issues  click here

Reflect:  On the Sacredness of Water with Pope Francis  click here

Enjoy:   A UN exhibit on the meaning of Water:  Water is Work, Water is Art, Water is Change click here

Take an appreciative look at your next glass of water.

 

Offered by Sr. Henrita Frost, SSND and from Arlene Flaherty OP, Director Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation, School Sisters of Notre Dame Atl-midwest Province.

Energy Flares Forth, Our Common Home’s Life Ignites, the Cosmic Walk Begins

 

By Henrita Frost, SSND

It’s about a week now since the Spiritual Deepening Group V spent a weekend with Sister Delmarie, FSPA and the Big Bang. For days now I have been reading my notes, jotting thoughts, desiring to write.  Although there are many thoughts, words don’t come.  The question that haunts is: What is it that I need to say?