Lent...the ultimate "do-over"

I learned about "do-overs" at recess. Our Lady of the Magnificat School excelled in many important areas, but lacked the financial means for a real athletic program. "Gym" was usually "kick-ball" or "tennis-racket baseball" on the blacktop in front of the school building. In bad weather we would endure a deadly game of "dodge-ball" in the auditorium (which was also our Church!) A dear man from the K of C volunteered his time to direct our games. Mostly, we were just happy to be outside, out of our desks and free of the required civilities taught and strongly encouraged by the good Sisters of St. Joseph. I wasn't much of an athlete. I could knock a tennis ball onto the roof if I could get my hands and eyes to work together. The real problem was a lack of focus - a killer instinct. I just didn't have it - hence, my anxious and distracted thoughts. (Who will be the last one picked today? Oh, God, please let it be someone else. I hate running in this skirt. I wish it was lunchtime. Did I bring my milk money? Was that a Yodel Mom put in the lunch box?) Picking me was NEVER a good idea. The only time I felt good at anything was during recess. In good weather the girls played "4 Squares" in front of the school steps. The concrete was perfectly dissected into four equal parts. All you had to do was get the ball into someone else's square and see that it bounced in yours only once. For some reason I excelled at this rather mindless game. It was simple. I was simple. It just fit my easy, "let's just play for fun" attitude. Every now and then, though, there would be disputes. Without a referee or line judges, there would be quibbles over "in" or "out." I think one f the reasons I love the game was the chance to call a "do-over." If agreement could not be reached, we just played the point over again. How nice! No pushing or shoving, no black eyes - that's how the boys settled things. We just called for a "do-over" and there was peace.

Ash Wednesday signals the beginning of Lent - a season created by the Church to prepare our hearts for the great glory of Easter. Today, we are signed with the cross and sent on a journey to holiness/wholeness. This is the first day of the rest of our spiritual journey. How blessed we are to have this liturgical season - a "do-over" that brings new challenges, exciting possibilities and great peace.

Blessings, love... and happy Lent!

- Sister Vicki

"Time to make the doughnuts..."

Whether you call is “Mardi Gras,” “Fat Tuesday,” or “Carnivale,” Catholics everywhere are preparing to welcome the holy season of Lent. I suspect there are doughnuts out at the Monastery, maybe, even a “King Cake.” Folks in New Orleans, Venice and Rio are eagerly anticipating the massive street parties for which these cities have become infamous. Colored beads, romantic masks and lots of feathers are the tell-tale signs that ashes are just around the corner.

Goodness knows I am a fan of celebrations. Benedictines, in general, are quite good at feasting and fasting. The older I get, the more I see them both as redemptive. I look forward to the forty days with joy. I don’t fear the absence of celebration. Sunday is always the feast of GOD’s love for us in gift of Christ Jesus. Always. We make liturgical concessions on Sunday – NO “alleluias” until the rock is rolled away – to remind us that we are celebrating the resurrection within the context of holy Lent. But the Lord's Day is never counted in the 40 days of Lent - do the math and see! The point I’m trying to make is that Lent is a joyful season. It says so in the Preface of the Ash Wednesday liturgy. Listen…and you’ll here it, too.

How will my joy be gift to others this Lent? What should I fast from? What should I fast for? How can I deepen my commitment to prayer? How can I give myself away to those who are in need? These are the questions that occupy my heart today. OK…I guess wouldn’t say, “no” to a "Krispy-Kreme!"

Blessings and love to you all…
- Sister Vicki

Choosing "the better part..."

It was late, Pope Gregory the Great tells us. Benedict and his twin sister, Scholastica, had spent the day together. It was their one day - an annual visit at a meeting place between their respective monasteries. Benedict took note of the hour and prepared to leave. Scholastica asked him to stay. She wanted more time with her brother - she wanted to talk about the goodness of GOD all through the night. Benedict didn't get it. He didn't understand - couldn't place her need above The Rule. He made the choice he thought was best for both of them. It was time to say goodbye. Benedict's "no" meant trying a new strategy. Scholastica began to weep and lay her head on the table to pray. Suddenly, the skies opened up and a thunderstorm erupted overhead. Benedict looked at his sister and said, "Woman, what have you done?" We are told that GOD said "yes" to her prayer because her love was greater. Benedict remained with his sister that night and shortly after he returned home, word came of Scholastica's death.

I love this story. Most Benedictine women do. It is read every year on this day - the Feast of Saint Scholastica. The gospel proclaimed for this feast is the story of Martha and Mary - two very different sisters. Martha's complaint against Mary is well known to us. She wanted help in the kitchen. The Lord said to her in reply, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her."

Saint Benedict wasn't "wrong." Martha wasn't just whining. But Scholastica and Mary made different choices - better choices. And those choices defined their searching. I've made some poor choices in my search for GOD. I am learning that it's never too late to make better choices - to set my heart on the higher things, to choose the Love that will set me free. It's the work of my lifetime. When I die I hope some of my better choices will shine and move GOD's heart - like Scholastica's tears. That hope - this desire - gives me joy today.

Happy feast...and love to you all,

- Sister Vicki

Worse than frogs, hail or locusts...

WARNING: The following blog contains factual information with an "ick"-factor of 7.5 or 8 on a scale of 1-10.

It happened Friday morning. It was 6 AM and we had late-sleep because of the blizzard. I was the only one up. I decided to do some research. It had been five days since I left Amherst. I noticed some spider bites on my hands and face. I thought perhaps a little one had spun his way into my bed. I didn't know anything about spider bites, so I went on-line and looked up insect bites. By 6:30 I was in an absolute panic. The pattern of the bites indicated a reality my mind could not quite grasp. Three little puncture wounds in a straight line, within one week of a motel stay means just one thing - BED BUGS. Yup. I can barely write the words without itching. I ran to my room and stripped the bed linens right down to the mattress and box spring. I put everything though the hot water cycle before the others sisters woke. Before we gathered for Morning Prayer, I had to tell them that we had bed bugs. They were just wonderful. We called the exterminator straight away and they came within hours. The early diagnosis meant that my bedroom was the only "crime scene." And, as the only "victim", I had to remove every item of clothing from my closet and dresser and run them through the hot water cycle as well. Sister Connie helped me. It took two days! The room, mattress, box spring and chair were treated and steamed. The room has been closed off until the SECOND bug treatment next Monday. Until then, I am sleeping in a small bedroom on the second floor. The bites on my arms, hands, face and neck, (50 at last count) have begun to heal. The itching has gone way down and they are much less visible. I spend two nights in a very clean, comfortable motel and became an "all-you-can-eat" buffet for a hungry mob of blood-sucking bugs. (I know GOD created these creatures for a purpose, but right now I am out of mercy and forgiveness."

I spoke with the manager of the motel chain. She went up to room #218, turned over the mattress and discovered an infestation. It will take them three months to complete the treatment. I was impressed with her honesty, her willingness to apologize and her desire to keep this from happening to another guest.

I am, now, an expert on bed bugs. The exterminator was quite impressed with what I learned in 30 minutes on the Internet. First, bed bugs have nothing to do with a place being clean or dirty. They have resurfaced the US in the last three years because of international travel. The come in luggage from countries where they are not controlled. They can hop a ride on clothing, too. When they bite you, you normally won't feel it. You'll sleep right through the attack and notice tiny punctures that will grow to be nickel-sized welts. Most bed bugs don't carry disease., though there are exceptions. They are basically vampires. It's your warmth and your blood they seek. They conceal themselves in the daylight - usually in the box spring or in the crevices of the mattress. They are smart bugs. They learn your sleep pattern quickly. And after a hearty meal at your expense, they have babies and rest for a few days. If you think you've been attacked by bed bugs, CALL A PROFESSIONAL ASAP. Don't try to by a chemical treatment from a grocery store. These suckers (pun intended) are smart, small and fertile! Fortunately, we made the connection early - even before all of the bites became visible.

Now, if you made through this blog, give yourself a pat on the back. I wasn't going to tell anyone but my prioress. Then, after a few days of Cortisone cream and crying periodically, I decided that telling this tale might help someone else. Here is the bottom line. You cannot necessarily see these bugs when you check in. If you stay in hotels/motels frequently, it doesn't matter how upscale the chain. A room can be totally clean and even luxurious, an have an infestation. When you have slept in a motel, the minute you get home, empty the suitcase and your clothing right into the washer and turn it on "hot." Wash out your suitcase with Lysol or VERY hot water. Then, if you've inadvertently brought home "company," they will meet their Maker somewhere close to the spin cycle. May you never have to go through what we've been through this weekend. I pray for those who live in countries where these creatures have free reign and for those who cannot afford the necessary treatment.

Blessings and love to you all...

- Sister Vicki

Presentation of the LORD...

In Disney's "Lion King," there is a moment of collective joy that reminds me of today's feast. The holy one holds the King's son high above the people. They acclaim him as royal prince, heir to the throne. It is good liturgy for the people - a moment for thanksgiving and awe.

Today the Church celebrates the Presentation of the Lord. The baby JESUS is brought to the Temple forty days after his birth. His Mother must be ritually cleansed of the blood of his birth and he must be consecrated to the GOD of Israel. It is an intimate moment, as opposed to the public acclaim given young "Simba." We are invited in by the gospel writer who wants this moment of great joy to change us. There are at least two witnesses - Simeon and Anna. These two holy ones have lived each day of their lives anticipating this day. So great is their faith in GOD that the promise would be fulfilled. When Simeon takes the child in his arms, he looks to heaven and declares, "Lord, let your servant now die in peace for I have seen your salvation!"

Have you seen GOD's salvation? Once, twice? I've seen it so many times in my own life. Today, I thank you, GOD, for showing me the depth of you love and mercy in Christ the Lord.

Blessings and love to you all...

- Sister Vicki

On the road...

Friends,

I am driving to Massachusetts for my aunt's funeral. Look for a blog on Tuesday next. Please pray me home safe.
Blessings and love to you all...

- Sister Vicki

Conversion of Saint Paul...

Have you ever been knocked off your horse? Saul of Tarsus cannot be alone in the rude awakening to truth. Blinded by the Light that saw into his soul, he had to rely on those around him to lead him to wisdom. Resting in the company of Ananias, Saul, now, Paul, needed time to take in the reality of his sin. I imagine he didn’t sleep for nights after seeing his persecution of the Christians for what it was – wrong. Even as the waters of baptism cleansed him of his sin, I imagine Paul carried the weight of his failure for quite some time – until he could see nothing but the Love that had saved him. There are moments in every life when we get knocked off our “horse.” And, they are gift. If we can accept our failure – own it – we can allow GOD’s grace to do its thing. If we are ready to give up the illusion, struggle in the dust of our brokenness and reach out to those wiser in the spiritual journey, we can begin the work of becoming whole again. Like Saint Paul we find that life is better in the Light. Like Saint Paul we begin again. We start out on a new journey illumined by Love.

Blessings and love to you all...

- Sister Vicki