Reflection for February 2019

By Sister Margo Young, C.PP.S., M.D.

As a sister of the Precious Blood, the redeeming love of Jesus fills me, and is the fount from which my life flows. I know myself called by God and given to conversion that I might BE the living, loving presence of Jesus, the Christ, to others. Jesus looked on the other with love and respect, calling the person to greater wholeness and well-being. He walked with those ridiculed and ostracized by the establishment, freeing them to know themselves as beloved by God and called to the More. I am called to walk the same path which holds each person as precious in God’s sight where no one is beyond the love of God and each person bears responsibility to care for the other.

As educator, counselor, spiritual companion and physician, I seek to bring healing and wholeness as I walk with God’s people in mutual respect and compassion. Drawn to the margins, I passionately embrace those most in need be they homeless, undocumented, HIV positive, transgender or mentally ill. I pray that my presence is non-judgmental and manifests God’s unconditional love, and I seek to be both a sign of and a call to tolerance, inclusion and unity in the midst of diversity. In this way, we all are made more whole, life is lived a bit fuller and the Kingdom is realized in our midst.

Sean D. Sammon in Religious Life Reimagined states that Pope Paul VI in defining the charism of religious life “identified these signs of its presence: bold initiatives, constancy in the giving of oneself, humility in bearing with adversities, fidelity to the Lord, a courageous response to the pressing needs of the day and willingness to be part of the church.” He also stated that “groups with a strong organizational identity stand for something: they have a backbone.”

I ponder all of this in the context of a massive refugee and immigrant crisis, senseless terror attacks, widespread human trafficking, increasing homelessness, violence toward and killing of people of color, a growing xenophobia and a pervasive polarization. And I ask myself, “Where is our organizational backbone? Where are our bold initiatives and courageous response to the pressing needs of the day? Where are we putting our Precious Blood Spirituality and charism on the line?”

Eucharist is central to Precious Blood Spirituality. For me, Eucharist and Eucharistic Adoration mean nothing unless it is also lived in the streets, and both dimensions inform, enrich and sustain the other. In Eucharist we become what we celebrate — love unconditionally broken and shared. I pray that I may become that which I consume.

 

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