Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

So far, in this month of August, we have been offered the opportunity to listen to and take to heart the images of Jesus as living bread from John’s gospel.   Living bread – being the Body of Christ in our time and place.   Living bread – offering our very selves for the needs of others.   Jesus did not say, “I am the living bread” when your own belly is full and you have time to offer others a helping hand.   Jesus did not say, “I am the bread of life” when your life is without difficulty or struggle.   Jesus said, “The bread I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”     How am I the living bread today for others?   What do I offer when I am lacking energy, feeling chewed up and spit out, and painfully aware of my shortcomings?    What if I have this huge problem at the Food Pantry or the neighborhood has an attempted robbery, or my prayer seems dry and ineffective?   I am called to give from my very sustenan...

Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived of her is of the Holy Spirit.   (Matthew 1.20) We are often confronted in the gospels with characters that are willing to go against the grain, to take that unheard of stance, and lead with inner strength.   They are courageous, hopeful, and not at all concerned about what others think.   This was Saint Joseph.   A good Jewish man, who knew what the law and customs required.   Yet, Joseph lived his life in such a way that allowed him to go beyond the predictable.   Prayer, simple living, focus, right relationship, inherent goodness, a strong desire to know and serve God – what did Joseph possess that gave him these extraordinary gifts of listening and leading? As we move through Lent, what a gift we have in our brother Joseph.   What did he have and what do we have that allows for that transformed response, that alternative reply full of love, justice, ...