DOGWOOD DAYS

Here in the Ozarks of southwestern Missouri, the dogwoods have been spectacular this Spring;  we are sure someone can explain why, but for us,  they simply inspire awe and appreciation to our Creator God who has fashioned them for us.

 

Wish you were here to see them.

 

the Ava friars 

HAPPY EASTER

Happy Easter to all of you from the friars in Ava!

 

Taking our cue from Paul's Easter reading from 1 Corinthians 5: 6-8,  a question for us to pray with:

 

If indeed, we are a fresh batch of dough,  what will you do with this new yeast of 'resurrection' that you have received through your Triduum and Easter Sunday experience?

 

The world needs us to become 'leaven'  because, as Paul says:  "a little yeast leavens all the dough."    We can do great things with just a little of our energy,  our words,  our actions, our love, our caring, our compassion, etc.   Become that 'bread for the world' whether it's your family,  your community,  your friendships,  your Church, your country, etc.  

 

HAPPY EASTER!

 

Remember:   the Easter Season is 50-days long!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRAYER REFLECTION FOR GOOD FRIDAY

 

(cross on friary building)

 

Are these actions of Jesus on Good Friday, his embrace of suffering and his death on the cross, the greatest teachings that he left us?  

 Does everything that Jesus taught during his lifetime here on earth come together today – on the cross?

                "The greatest among you will be the one who serves the rest" (Mt 23:11)

                "The last shall be first"   (Mk 10:31)

                "The one who humbles himself  (herself) shall be exalted."  (Luke 14: 11)

                "Whoever loses his (her) life for my sake will find it."  (Mt 16:25)

It all comes together today ….. ON THE CROSS!    

 

What is our response to this?

    (words from Holy Thursday:  "What I have done is give you an example;  as I have done, so shall you do!")

 

"We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world."

 

 

A BLESSED TRIDUUM: today HOLY THURSDAY

 

A BLESSED HOLY THURSDAY

 

Something to think and pray about:   WHY DO WE DO THIS EACH YEAR?

 

Pray about the significance of these three days leading up to Easter.   Can we know that we need to do this;  we need to hear these stories, these scriptures of Holy Week.   Today, on Holy Thursday,  we do this because:

 

    1)  the Exodus story we hear tonight is such an important event in our Judeo-Christian heritage;   it's the story of how God freed our ancestors in the faith from the slavery they knew in Egypt.  We need to hear the story again because it tells us, or reminds us, of how God today comes to free us from all that enslaves us.   Where are we unfree needing God to repeat the exodus event in our lives? 

 

    2)  the Corinthian account of how Jesus, on the night that he died,  took bread and wine, and gave us Eucharist;  a food that has now fed believers for 2000 years.   Today we celebrate in gratitude how Jesus continues to come in so many moments of our lives to feed us with his very life. 

 

    3)  and in the Gospel of John's retelling of the washing of the feet,  we must understand that God now calls us to servant leadership:  "What I have done ('washed your feet'),  you must do ('wash their feet')  for one another."    We see tonight that we are charged, as followers of Christ, with the responsibility to be foot washers wherever we go, beginning right at home, in community, in family, with those closest to us, and then to the wider 'people of God'.

 

A BLESSED HOLY THURSDAY to you and your loved ones!