Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Community Director Sister Natalie Binversie shares her greetings to our Sister Silver and Golden Jubilarians. (Point of clarification: When a young woman enters the Novitiate a special title is chosen as a means of emphasis in living the Gospel life. When it is a group of Sisters, they choose the title together.)
Good morning on this 15th Sunday in Ordinary time as we celebrate with our Sisters: the Golden and Silver Jubilarians for 2016! Congratulations to “The Mirrors of the Beatitudes” who Professed Vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience fifty years ago. We also rejoice with you, Sister Mary Ann, “Obedient Listener of the Good Shepherd,” as you celebrate twenty-five years of Profession of Vows.
Your titles fit well with the Scripture readings for the Mass that will be celebrated this afternoon in your honor. In the Gospel reading from St. Luke the scholar asked Jesus what must be done to inherit eternal life. When Jesus asked what was written in the law we know well the response. “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” How can one do this, but by living out and by being a Mirror of the Beatitudes and by listening to the Good Shepherd!
The reading from Deuteronomy has us hear encouragement from Moses to keep striving, “If only you would heed the voice of the Lord your God and keep his commandments and statues …for this command that I enjoin on you today is not too mysterious and remote for you…..No, it is something very near to you, always in your mouths and in your hearts; you have only to carry it out.”
In the Letter to the Colossians St. Paul writes that Jesus is the mirror, the image of the invisible God and in Him all fullness dwells! We just need to turn to the Lord, the Good Shepherd, in our need and we will live. Ultimately we are to treat our neighbor, one another with mercy. That is in fact a blessing for each of us called to live out our Congregational title. Thank you for the blessing each of you has been for our Community.
In the name of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, Congratulations! You are assured of prayers. Enjoy this day of celebration with family, friends and your Sisters in Community! May God continue to bless each of you! Click for more pictures follow on facebook.