Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur

Matthew 5: 1-12a

The Saints Whom I Live Among

On All Saints’ Day, we hear Jesus teach the Beatitudes. He invites us to notice people we might otherwise overlook those who mourn, the meek, the merciful, the peacemakers. He calls them blessed.

I am learning that this way of seeing can begin with something as ordinary as choosing a seat in the dining room.

Walkers and rollators—affectionately called “chariots”—are often double-parked around our tables in the dining room. Finding a seat may require a little maneuvering!

But there is another kind of room to make: room for someone who hopes we will stop and sit beside her at a given table.

Some of our Sisters living with dementia notice when others pass by their table—and when someone chooses to join them. We all share the desire to be welcomed, to belong, and to have others enjoy our company.

One Sister often blesses us and thanks us for sitting at her table. I find myself thinking that Jesus would be delighted to sit at her table. And when she offers her blessing, I wonder if I am recognizing Jesus there.

After the meal, comes the gentle untangling of the double-parked “chariots.” Sisters looking for their own walker or rollator bring to other Sisters who need them. Even leaving the table offers another opportunity to care for one another.

Perhaps living the Beatitudes begins this simply: learning to see as Jesus sees and letting what we notice shape what we do.

Whose table might I choose today – in my community, neighborhood, school or workplace – so that someone who feels left out knows the blessings of companionship?

When a person needs a little more time, a listening ear or help finding her “chariot,” how might I offer the compassion, mercy, and faithful presence Jesus offers us?

The Saints, with whom I live, help me recognize that holiness takes flesh in ordinary lives. Mercy becomes companionship. Love pulls up a chair.

And there, across the table, we catch a glimpse of God’s goodness. The Kingdom of God is already among us!

Matthew 5: 1-12a

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek,for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

Meet Sister Angele Lewis, SNDdeN

Sr. Angele Lewis has been a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur for 53 years. She entered the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur on the West Coast in 1972 and professed her vows in the College Chapel at the College of Notre Dame, Belmont (now Notre Dame de Namur University). A teacher at heart, she taught for more than 25 years in Notre Dame elementary and high schools and in parish education programs on both the West and East Coasts of the United States. For over 30 years, she has ministered in communications, providing graphic design, publishing, and digital communications support for nonprofit organizations and for the International Communications Office of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.

Thirty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time – Sr. Barbara Barry, SNDdeN

Matthew 25: 1-13

Today’s gospel comes from a section of Matthew’s gospel called The Sermon on the End. It seems to be for the disciples and not the random crowds that follow Jesus. The disciples are trying to put all the pieces together. This man, Jesus, challenges many of the practices of the Jewish faith in his day. He emphasizes the messages of the prophets and yet he doesn’t seem to be the political “savior” that many were expecting. He preaches a kingdom of love, compassion and peace. At the same time Jesus is realistic about the human condition and nature. There are wars among nations and natural disasters that cause death and destruction. And there are women and men who choose God’s ways and those who don’t.

Perhaps the greatest gift we have as human beings is free will. God’s desire for us is to live in peace, to be compassionate toward one another, and to have life in abundance. This way of life is not forced upon us. It is a choice. Today’s parable tells us of ten virgins, some who listen to the Word and live by it and some who don’t commit to the vision of the Beloved Community. Some are ready for the final days and some are not.

As we come to the last weeks of the liturgical year, let us remember that it is our daily choices that prepare us for the “end days” and that God’s desire for each of us to choose wisely.

Matthew 25: 1-13

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise.

The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’

While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked.

Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’

Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Meet Sister Barbara Barry SNDdeN

Sister Barbara is a native Bostonian and entered the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1969 at Ipswich, Massachusetts. She has ministered primarily in secondary education administration, served for ten years on the SND EW leadership team and now serves as the Executive Director of the Congregational Mission Office.