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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
By Henrita Frost, SSND
The experience of receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday continues to be a companion on my daily journey. I view ashes as integral to countless daily lives of women, men and children and all beings in our Common Home. I remember that the once lovely palms became ashes. Now, almost daily in our global community, once lovely countries become rubble and ashes, through violence.
By Henrita Frost, SSND
Compassion for all!
A tear stained voice pleads for it
For abused animals
As I listened to a television commercial about abused animals, I entered into a deep sorrow as I heard a voice that seemed to cry. It led me into a profound realization of sensing suffering in all beings that exists today.
By Henrita Frost, SSND
The Annunciation – Henry Ossawa Tanner – 1898
Across from my desk is this image of Mary contemplating the invitation to be the Mother of Jesus. The light radiates the call to her. This image is often a comfort to me as I ponder my life.
I sit somewhat paralyzed as I feel the call to alleviate the chaos that permeates our nation. Once I learned that the challenge is always to embrace chaos. Embrace it and respond!
Reflection and original Mandala artwork by Henrita Frost, SSND
Recently I finished this mandala. For it, I had chosen the theme from Scripture, John 15:5. Why I chose it, I don’t remember except the words of Jesus came to me “I am the vine and you are the branches”. Since I finished the mandala, I have often repeated these words “I am the vine, you are the branches.”
At this time, what are these words saying to me as my being is often invaded by the violence that is a daily, even a minute by minute occurrence in our nation and the entire Global Community.
I remember that in his January 1st, World Day of Peace message, Pope Francis called us to “prayerfully and actively banish violence from our hearts, words and deeds, and to become nonviolent people and build nonviolent communities that care for our common home.” I wonder if it is not foolish of me to think that I can help with banishing violence, even in my own life.
As I glance at the mandala the message returns “I am the vine and you are the branches.” The center of it bids me – come to the vine, Jesus, and then I remember more of the verse “As long as you remain in me and I in you, you bear much fruit: but apart from me you can do nothing.” Suddenly, I realize it is a New Year and a new revelation, for I hear this message with urgency, I am bound to the vine and we are bound to the vine and together vine and branches are one.
As one, we are called to respond to the suffering within the Global Community. We are bound to the vine, Jesus, the all compassionate one who is the source of our compassion. With Jesus, we can bear fruit, release compassion and dispel violence wherever we are.
