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That the single, most significant dimension of life is your relationship with the Source of Goodness who never ceases to sing love songs to your soul

That you find meaning, purpose, and vitality in what you do daily

That you treasure your loved ones and let them know how dear they are to you

That you make choices and decisions that reflect your truest self

That you look in the mirror at least once a day and smile in happy amazement

That you remember relationships are what count above all else – more than work or money, or all the material things we spend so much time tending

That you live in an uncluttered manner, enjoying the freedom to be content

That you keep your sense of humor when things don’t go the way you want

That you find adventure in each new day and marvel at the wonders of creation
which constantly present themselves to you

That you never give up on yourself when others turn away or do not understand

That you are attentive to the health of your body, mind and spirit

That you take risks and accept the growth-full challenges that come to you

That you draw on your inner strength and resiliency when you are in need

That you carry peace within yourself, allowing it to slip into the hearts of others
so our planet becomes a place where violence, division, and war are no more

 Joyce Rupp                         

And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.

They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

What compels us to do something?

Most often, it is necessity: the need for the “basics” – like food, shelter, and sleep – that spur us to take some form of action.

In other circumstances, it is desire. Our appetite for rightly (and wrongly) ordered items creates a strong yearning for something and we act.

In today’s Gospel, we are presented with the magi, whose pilgrimage to the newborn King of the Jews is governed not by bodily need or desire but by the will of God.

The Lord desires that we know, love, and serve Him, and the magi respond by travelling an incredible distance to seek Him and give Him the gifts He deserves.

How faithful they were to God’s calling them through His creation, by the light of the star!

Why would they follow? Because they were accustomed to speaking to the Lord in prayer and listening closely for His response.

In the older Douay-Rheims version of Matthew’s Gospel, the final verse from today’s Gospel is translated as: “And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their country.”

The magi asked God what they should do and they listened attentively for His response and they acted.

Vocation Challenge:
“And having received an answer in sleep…”
Do I take my questions about my vocation to the Lord and listen, night and day, for the answer He wants to give me?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Your coming was heralded by a bright star and received with joy by those who listened for your calling them. Through the intercession of the magi, grant me the grace to hear Your voice in whichever way You speak to me. Let me unify my will with Yours and act accordingly. Amen.

 from  www.vocations.ca  Canada’s national site for Catholic vocations to religious life.

Nuns at the Holy Trinity Convent in East Hendred in Oxfordshire are currently developing the new software and in so doing, are continuing a remarkable business tradition, despite been one of Europe’s newest Benedictine community of nuns. 

Prioress Sr Catherine explained that nuns at the convent have always been keen to embrace and use new technology to spread the word of God.  She said, “The nuns objective is to make Christian monasticism more accessible and to share the Benedictine tradition beyond the cloister.” 

“We follow the rule of our founder Saint Benedict, who laid out an ethos of manual work, prayer and study.”  Sr Catherine herself has run a printing business from the convent from the past couple of years known as Veil Press. 

She added, “An important part of the influence of the community comes through our websites, podcasts and email prayer line.  We are currently developing an iPhone / iPad app relating to the rule of Saint Benedict.” 

The community is also hoping to launch a series of on- line retreats for anyone who is time poor and cannot get away to spend a few days at a monastery or retreat house, but who wishes to give time to prayer and reflection with some help and guidance from one of the nuns. 

The nuns website can be accessed at www.benedictinenuns.org.uk.

by Sean Ryan

ciNews