Loretto Community

11 hours ago

We are now deep into the mystery of Holy Week. We are getting deeper into the mystery of love. In church today, many of us will hear the story of the Passion: Jesus’ death and burial. There is no Mass anywhere in the world today. Jesus is on the cross and in the grave. He asks us to stay awake and pray. We kiss the cross or we embrace it. Jesus takes my sins and gives them to God. Forgiveness lifted up on the cross. And there he hangs. What a price he pays for us all. Has anyone else loved you like this love?

Loretto’s full title is Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross. What a privilege to hold that grace-filled title. Christ is crucified today in wartorn countries, Christ is crucified in the streets of our cities, Christ is crucified as immigrants are deported, Christ is crucified when genders are harassed, and the list goes on. We, as Loretto, stand at the foot of the cross with Mary, Jesus’ mother, and all good people. Stand with us.

(Sculpture by Jeanne Dueber SL)
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Loretto Community

1 day ago

Holy Thursday – the night of the great feast of Jewish Passover when Jesus shows us two simple yet profound gestures: He washed his friends’ feet, and He gave them bread and wine. Both nurturing gestures. Have you shown those actions to your children? Of course, you have. You wash them and you feed them. Why? Love is the only answer. Jesus did it. Why? Love is the only answer. These actions say who we are. People wash feet when they give shoes and socks to St. Vincent DePaul or Goodwill.

People donate canned goods and other edibles to area food drives. Why? Love is the only answer because we are the Body of Christ. Say Amen.

St. Augustine reminds us, “Be what we see. Receive what we are.”

This is the day of the night of the Last Supper and the Church again tells the story of the Passover meal when Judas betrayed Jesus. Have you ever been betrayed? Then you know how Jesus felt. In fact, Peter, one of Jesus’ best friends, hears Jesus say to him, “Peter, do you love me.” Heartbreak – it has happened to all of us. The question is, can you forgive? Jesus did. Grace was going on this night.

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Loretto Community

2 days ago

It is amazing that in the weeks and months of the disciples following Jesus that he invited Judas to be part of the group. Why? Why was Jesus tolerant of a guy who he knew would betray him? And we can ask, why is Jesus tolerant of us? We make mistakes, too. Thank God for mercy.

(An exchange of care and peace between Kathy Wright SL and Ann Pat Ware SL)
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Loretto Community

3 days ago

Today’s story of Jesus as he, and we, journey through Holy Week is the story of Judas and Peter. Judas is the guy who sold Jesus into his death for 30 pieces of silver. Peter, trying to be faithful, promised Jesus his loyalty but could not keep the promise faithfully. Both men denied their friend.

We do it, too. Sometimes when we lie or cheat or fail to love, we deny Jesus’ love. Sometimes when we take what is not ours, or expect others to be better than we are, we deny Jesus’ love.

Finish this paragraph with your own story of when you deny Him. And remember, Jesus forgives and is merciful to those contrite of heart.

(Watercolor heart painted by Vicki Schwartz SL)
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