Each year I find myself struck by the dichotomy that is called to mind on August 6^th.

On the calendar of Catholic celebrations, August 6 is the feast of the Transfiguration: the day when we reflect on the Gospel account in which Jesus takes Peter, James, and John to the top of a mountain (Mount Tabor?). There he is transfigured before their eyes. The three disciples see Jesus in a blaze of glory and for a brief moment in time they catch a glimpse of his divinity. An awesome blaze of light...a glimpse of the divine…a memory to sustain them in the troubled times that lie ahead.

And then there’s August 6, 1945. Here, again, we have another blaze of light, but this one doesn’t carry any glimpse of divinity. Rather, it will forever be linked with terror and destruction. A stunning event that hastened the end of a terrible war, but that ushered in another era of violence and destruction. The scene is repeated again a mere three days later.

I’ve read that Dorothy Day called this event “the anti-transfiguration”. It’s a brutal reminder of the depths to which the human person can sink. And it makes the end of the Gospel account all the more compelling and challenging.

The disciples wanted to stay at the top of the mountain; they wanted to stay with the experience of goodness and glory. Jesus won’t let them. This brief moment of awe is to serve as a reminder of what can be, of what will be. Hopefully, it will serve to inspire them and carry them through the days that lie ahead. But the call is to come down from the mountain. The challenge is to see the face of God in the midst of the pain (and the joy) of human experience. The mountain-top experience should fuel the passion that drives them (and us!) to be messengers of peace, even in the face of unspeakable violence.

Merciful God, we pray that you open our eyes to the needs of all; inspire us with words and deeds to comfort those who labor and are burdened; keep our service of others faithful to the example and command of Christ. Let your people be a living witness to truth and freedom, to justice and peace, that all people may be lifted up by the hope of a world made new.

-- adapted from the Eucharistic Prayer entitled: Jesus, the Compassion of God.

Monday, August 06, 2007 10:26:57 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] | 

When I was in college, I always found it difficult to write the introduction to a paper…where on earth should I begin? Of course, this was before the days of word processors so you couldn’t just jump into the middle and worry about the intro later.

So while I’m waiting for some feedback from people (or for some inspiration), I suppose that I could introduce myself. I’m Sister Barb – a Sylvania Franciscan and the Campus Minister here at Lourdes College.

A funny thing happened on my way to becoming a Campus Minister…I started off as a math instructor (Ok…this is where you either cheer or make one of those ‘oh, yuck’ faces.) In fact, I was a math instructor long before I ever became a Sister of St. Francis (that’s right…I wasn’t born a Sister). But life takes a few unexpected turns here and there, and God is full of surprises.

Probably one of the most difficult parts about leaving the classroom and becoming a campus minister is that I actually see FEWER students. Think about it, when I was in a classroom I had a captive audience several days each week…and the faces changed every semester! Now I have to go out in search of people. That’s a big change when you consider that a huge part of what we Franciscans are all about is building relationships. So now you know my challenge for the coming year...get to know more students!

Hopefully, this blog will give more people a chance to hear about all of the opportunities that are available to Lourdes students through campus ministry. Join the conversation!

Enough for now…and in the spirit of Francis of Assisi, I wish you pax et bonum, pace e bene, peace and all good!

Tuesday, July 31, 2007 6:09:45 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [1] | 

Hi Everyone!

Thanks for stopping by. This is the official blogspace for Media Relations at Lourdes College.

"Media Relations"...a term we hear often these days. What does this term mean to you? What are your thoughts about the media and what type of coverage would you like to see of Lourdes?                            

Is there something great about Lourdes that we should be highlighting to the public?

Well of course there is... Lourdes is a wonderful place!

Why not share it with the world...

Come on over! Submit your ideas and thoughts about Lourdes College with Media Relations...tell us what you think is great, and we might just share it so that the public can Discover Lourdes!

Thursday, July 26, 2007 1:29:34 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [1] |