Walk With Me, Jesus: A Widow's Journey. Ronda Chervin Ph.D.

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СКАЧАТЬ who fights - not you my dear one - Oh so young and timid, weak, and irresolute, the Lamb could not stem a torrent, nor stand the beating storm - but the tender Shepherd takes it on his shoulder, casts his cloak about it, and the happy trembler finds itself at home before it knew its journey was half finished - and so my dear one it will be with you, He will not leave you one moment, nor suffer the least harm to approach you, not one tear shall fall to the ground nor one sigh of love be lost - happy, happy child - and if you are not removed to the sheltering fold that awaits you [in Elizabeth's home-convent-to-be] he will make you one in his own bosom until your task is done...how must [the saints] rejoice over you while walking so steadfastly in their paths, and their sufferings.

      

FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

      "From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law"

      (Luke 12:50-53).

      St. Elizabeth experienced the truth of this passage many times in her own-life. Have you?

      If so, how have religious divisions and conflicts affected you and your family in the grieving process?

      If not, how has your faith sustained you and your family members?

      

PRAYER OF THE DAY

      When burdens threaten to crush me, when isolation overwhelms, You, oh Lord, have not abandoned me. Jesus, I trust in You.

      ST. ELIZABETH SETON: A WORK OF CHARITY

      Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

      on your own understanding rely not;

      In all your ways be mindful of him,

      and he will make straight your paths.

      Proverbs 3:5-6

      Although Elizabeth loved the sacramental and devotional life of the Roman Catholic Church, she was surprised that there was so little educational opportunity for children. She dreamed of starting her own little school for the poor. Eventually the widow's hopes were met with a similar idea on the part of the highly educated Bishop John Carroll of Baltimore. He invited her to start a teaching order for girls called The Sisters of Charity of Saint Joseph.

      Elizabeth insisted that the bishop arrange things so her sons could be provided for at a flourishing Catholic school for boys, and her daughters could stay with her. The curriculum of the first school run by the newly formed order included reading, writing, arithmetic, English, French, and needlework. Quite a number of the students were boarders, so Elizabeth was busy from five-thirty in the morning until nine at night.

      By no means was the way smooth for the new congregation of sisters. By 1809 Mother Seton was writing to Bishop Carroll of the difficulties. A cleric had ordered them to give up the direction of a priest who was greatly beloved for his understanding and inspiration. Instead they were to be ordered about by a superior they thought did not enter into the spirit of their own plans. Saint Elizabeth was willing to accept for herself the cross of the many misunderstandings that took place at the beginning of the foundation, but was not ready to see her sisters suffer.

      For a while, another sister was appointed to head the order, which was followed by much turmoil. Elizabeth was especially anxious to retain charge over her own children under the new circumstances. Finally, the sister appointed as the congregation's head left, and the spirituality of the sisters grew in peace and joy."

      Observe the sweet ironic humor of this account of the community Elizabeth wrote to her dear spiritual friend Antonio Filicchi, who helped the order financially as well as by his prayers:

      "Now then you will laugh when I tell you that your wicked little Sister is placed at the head of a Community of Saints, ten of the most pious Souls you could wish, considering that some of them are young and all under thirty. Six more postulants are daily waiting till we move in a larger place to receive them, and we might be a very large family if I received half who desire to come, but your Reverend Mother is obliged to be very cautious for fear we should not have the means of earning our living during the Winter. Yet as Sisters of Charity we should fear nothing...."

      

FOR PONDERING

      Do you have a task at hand that seems too great to handle, a task that only seems to underscore the empty spaces in your life?

      Is God using the death of your husband to bring to life some new work through you? Or is it possible that God might now be calling you to a new path or a new endeavor?

      What might it be? Write about it.

      

PRAYER OF THE DAY

      Almighty God,

      Somehow, life moves on - even after the most devastating losses. There are still places to go, things to do, bills to pay ... the list is endless, and my resources are few. Help me, Lord, to know where my priorities should be. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

      PSALM 16:1-9

      I love the LORD, who listened to my voice in supplication, Who turned an ear to me on the day I called.

      I was caught by the cords of death; the snares of Sheol had seized me; I felt agony and dread.

      Then I called on the name of the LORD, "O LORD, save my life!"

      Gracious is the LORD and just; yes, our God is merciful.

      The LORD protects the simple; I was helpless, but God saved me.

      Return, my soul, to your rest; the LORD has been good to you.

      For my soul has been freed from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.

      I shall walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

      

FOR PONDERING СКАЧАТЬ