Created by Henrita Frost, SSND
Season of Creation
Innate Goodness
By Henrita Frost, SSND
Since the beginning of the tropical storm Harvey, the intrinsic goodness of the human heart has exploded and its compassion is emanating. The innate goodness of the heart is embracing all of creation. It is not discriminating between human beings of all colors, abilities, status – we are equal and inclusive of all of creation. Perhaps you saw the animals, including a delightful pet pig, being rescued. The message is, all are welcome and worthy of presence in our Universe! We are one! The human heart knows its mission of love and compassion for all.
Prayer to End Human Trafficking in Persons
From: the School Sisters of Notre Dame (Gen Cassani, SSND)
O God, our words cannot express what our minds can barely comprehend and our hearts feel when we hear of children and adults deceived and transported to unknown places for purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor because of human greed.
Our hearts are saddened and our spirits angry that their dignity and rights
are being transgressed through threats, deception, and force.
We cry out against the degrading practice of trafficking and pray for it to end.
Strengthen the fragile-spirited and broken-hearted.
Make real your promises to fill these our sisters and brothers
with a love that is tender and good,
and send the exploiters away empty handed.
Give us the wisdom and courage to stand in solidarity with them,
that together we will find ways to the freedom that is your gift to all of us. Amen.
May Peace Prevail on Earth
By Henrita Frost, SSND
Recently, my heart aches, as I behold pictures of the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong – un, looking through his binoculars and seeming to enjoy North Korea’s latest launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile as it rises from the earth and pierces the atmosphere. The thoughts terrorize me as I think of the possibility that someday a missile could explode bringing destruction and death to an earth community and its people.
Today June 20 Is World Refugee Day
World Refugee Day is a day celebrated around the globe to honor the strength and resilience of refugees.
Refugees are individuals who have been forced to flee their homes due to persecution, war, violence, and famine. For many of us, when we hear the word “refugee”, we think of the most vulnerable individuals in the world – images of the boy on the beach in Syria or a starving child somewhere in a camp in Africa. But the word “refugee” means much more than that – it also represents strength, courage, and the human capacity to succeed.
World Refugee Day is a time to celebrate the strengths of individuals who have come to our country and made it a better place.
Seeking the Ever Present Moment, or How Puffs are Training for Presence
By Henrita Frost, SSND
One day I asked myself what are you hungering for? I truly hunger for the presence of the Divine within – the God of compassion. For fleeting moments it happens and puff it is gone – my distractible mind did it again. Wait it is back! I entered the present moment again – briefly, but for sure – puff it is gone again. O God, I am exhausted by puffs – I beg, give me only presence.
Continue reading Seeking the Ever Present Moment, or How Puffs are Training for Presence
Two Chapel Doors
By Henrita Frost, SSND
Our Christine Center Chapel, Mary of the Angels, holds many memories of preparing for the Solemn Blessing of its Altar on September 5, 2010. Recently as I was meditating in the Chapel, I remembered how our staff was preparing the Chapel for the blessing. Laurie Bieze, stained glass artist, who created the Chapel windows was present.
As she was installing the stained glass doors, I heard a voice saying: “we like them the other way.” Without hesitation Laurie honored the suggestion and turned the door windows upside down.
Roll the Stones Away
By Henrita Frost, SSND
An Easter Encounter
Welcome transformation
Roll the stones away
If Easter and the Resurrection are to be alive in our times and lives, it is crucial for us to become an Easter People in these unbelievably difficult times in which we live. We know them, we can feel them and we can hear the cries of our suffering sisters and brothers.
Allow the Resurrection experience to be present. Feel the stone being moved from the entrance of the tomb. Rejoice Jesus is freed. What great hope is ours! Our great challenge is to be transformed by the Resurrection! As we experience the stone being removed from the tomb, consider removing the stones that bind our lives and prevent us from being an Easter People.
The Easter path is mysterious and it is ours to navigate by rolling away stone upon stone. Then freedom can emerge as we become transformed, bringing Easter Hope, Joy and Love wherever we are, and to all beings that we encounter.
Easter hope is here
Stone upon stone rolled away
Joy and love live here
Feast of Annunciation
Reflection and Mandala by Henrita Frost, SSND
Often as I gazed on the image of Mary’s Annunciation in my office, a desire evolved within me to create a mandala with Mary as the center surrounded by a rosary. Connecting the beads is the symbol of the Charter for Compassion, for Mary has become for me the Cosmic Mother of Compassion.
Mary accompanies my meditations, my hopes and desires to bring passionate compassion to my daily journey and to the Global Community.
This desire grows within me as the presence of the rosary accompanies my life.
Image of Mary from: The Annunciation by Henry Ossawa Tanner, 1898
