The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods are a community of vowed Catholic women religious. Inspired by our foundress Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, we are passionate about our lives of prayer, education, service and advocacy.
Reconnect or find new opportunities with the Providence Community. Volunteer in one of our many ministries, be an intern on the farm, explore job opportunities or reminisce about your alma mater.
Live joyfully! Single, Catholic women ages 18-42 are invited to explore a fulfilling life as a Sister of Providence. All women and men of faith are invited to join the family of Providence as Providence Associates.
Readings: Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4; Second Letter of Paul to Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14
Gospel: Luke: 10:17-24
Reflection
It seems to me that the opening readings for this first Sunday in October are setting the stage for today’s Gospel, and indeed for all Luke’s messages during this month. The first reading from Habakkuk laments that his prayers are not being answered, “How long shall I cry out and you won’t answer me? I have seen injustice to me and those around me and you don’t help. I see suffering and violence of the worst kind. I try to resist, but I don’t have the strength. Many suffer, and yet, where are you? The opposition is more powerful.”
If there is anyone who has not acknowledged that at times they have had his thoughts, I would like to know your story. We all know of days like Habakkuk describes.
The Lord answered him (sort of) when he said to him, “write the vision and make it plain, for as yet the vision is far off, and it shall appear at the end, and shall not lie.” So what is the vision? The Responsorial Psalm, I believe, offers us a glimpse. “Let us praise the Lord with joy, let us come with thanksgiving and make a joyful noise. Come let us adore and fall down and weep before the Lord that made us. We are his people, the flock he tends. Harden not your hearts!”
Perhaps we are being asked to move forward with confidence that God is with us, that the kingdom of God is always near, and we are walking with a God that has promised to be with us. A promise anchored securely in both the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures.
Timothy reminds us in the second reading that “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of conscience. Do not be afraid of the testimony of our faith in the Lord, but labor with the Gospel according to the power of God. Hold the form of sound words which you have heard of me in faith, and in the love of Christ Jesus.” Now, how might Luke’s words help us weave these lessons of faith together?
Luke reminds us that even a small, a very small, amount of faith can have great power, can move mountains, and mulberry trees! There is no room for fear in living the Gospel values. The lessons from the words of these readings include moving forward without fear to act in the name of justice and the values Jesus taught us. Like the worker from whom the owner demanded more, we are challenged by Luke and the readings of this day, to be more, to be mustard seeds in our commitment to those on the margins: The sick and those without resources for normal life, the poor without basic security, and fundamental justice for all persons.
We are asked to honor the other lessons of compassion and healing and justice that were central to the mission and ministry of Jesus, even if t is in small mustard seed ways: Writing letters, phone calls, time at food pantries, shelters, educating ourselves on the issues and many other possibilities. Doing what is asked in today’s readings will not doubt, at times, challenge our joy and even our joyful noise as we move forward, absolutely confident that we have enough mustard seeds in our pockets to move mountains and mulberry trees. Time to plant them!
Action
Spend some time with responsorial Psalm 95: 1-2, 6-7, 8-9. What level of hope and joy does it awaken in you?
Sister Ann Sullivan, SP, has been a Sister of Providence since 1964. Her primary ministry through those years has been teaching, grades one through graduate level. She presently ministers as a consultant. She has also ministered as director of a mental health center and was founding director of White Violet Center for Eco-Justice.
In her free time you will find Sister Ann enjoying nature in as many ways as possible, especially working in a large perennial and a small vegetable garden. She also values time with family and friends.
What a timely reflection! Who has not asked this week or last, just looking around us, ‘Where are you, Lord?’ I believe I am most empowered by the words ‘write the vision, make it plain’. It is my call to action knowing that my faith is my strength in times like these, a time to get up off my knees and to do what it is I can do. Thank you, Ann.
“simple” suggested action with a seed of hope planted within.
This site uses cookies to track visits anonymously so we can make your experience better and know how to provide you relevant content. If you click "Ok," you consent to this.
What a timely reflection! Who has not asked this week or last, just looking around us, ‘Where are you, Lord?’ I believe I am most empowered by the words ‘write the vision, make it plain’. It is my call to action knowing that my faith is my strength in times like these, a time to get up off my knees and to do what it is I can do. Thank you, Ann.
“simple” suggested action with a seed of hope planted within.