Sr Judith

@srjudithl

Benedictine nun, creativity & prayer, Benedictine spirituality, Lectio Divina, Vatican II, cycling, Ecumenism, spiritual direction, finding God in all things

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Sr Judith@srjudithl· 16d

A 🧵on the treasure of the Kingdom. 1/6 Today’s gospel, the pearl of great price, has always deeply resonated with me. Every time we hear it, I find something new to reflect on. It describes a very regular occurrence in daily life in a way that gives it a whole new perspective.

A partially open oyster shell with a white pearl inside. The text reads: “The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.”

Sr Judith@srjudithl· 20d

A 🧵for the feast of St Mary Magdalene. 1/5 Today we are celebrating the feast of St Mary Magdalene, one of the first witnesses to the resurrection, who was sent to tell the disciples that Christ had risen. It’s sometimes easier to say who she wasn’t than who she actually was.

The silhouette of a women looking towards the sun rising over the sea. Text reads, "I have seen the Lord..."

Sr Judith@srjudithl· 23d

A 🧵on patience & trust....1/7 I have some sympathy with the servants in today’s gospel. Knowing that they have sown good seed in their Masters field they are puzzled and perplexed to find darnel growing amongst the wheat when it begins to sprout and ripen.

Close up of a red poppy in a wheat field. Text reads "Let them both grow till the harvest time..."

Sr Judith@srjudithl· 27d

A 🧵on learning from children. In today’s gospel Jesus once again turns our ideas on their heads. He calls his listeners to step back from their challenging, complex and uncertain lives and discover a new way of being. His alternative is a surprise, even a shock for his listeners.

A child's outstretched hand reaching for water from a fountain. The water is bouncing off the outstretched fingers. The text reads: “I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children.”

Sr Judith@srjudithl· Jul 12

A gospel 🧵1/6 Today’s gospel sees Jesus teaching through parables once again. The parable of the sower is full of rich resources for us to ponder. Each time we visit it there seems to be something new to discover and reflect on. The image that has stayed with me today is that of the seed.

Hands holding a heart made of soil against a background of freshly dug soil. The text reads: “Those who receive the seed in rich soil are the ones who hear the word and understand it; they are the ones who yields a harvest and produce now a hundredfold, now sixty, now thirty.”

Sr Judith@srjudithl· Jul 11

A 🧵for the feast of St Benedict. 1/6 As we celebrate the feast of St Benedict in increasingly uncertain times I’m reminded of his instructions to the Superior of the community. He says that the Superior should have a treasury of knowledge both old and new to draw on in leading the community.

A hand offering a cup of tea in a china cup & saucer. The text reads: "No one is to pursue what they judge better for themselves, but instead what they judge better for someone else.”

Sr Judith@srjudithl· Jul 8

A 🧵on sharing the Good News.1/6 Jesus commissions the 12 Apostles, giving them authority and sending them out to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of heaven. He says to them: “Go to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. And as you go, proclaim that the Kingdom of heaven is close at hand.”

A back view of people in pairs walking a coastal path. The text reads: “As you go, proclaim that the Kingdom of heaven is close at hand.”

Sr Judith@srjudithl· Jul 5

A 🧵on trusting the promise. 1/6 Today’s readings are full of joy, gratitude and promise. In the first reading Zechariah tells the people of Zion to rejoice because the King who promises peace is coming.

A shot of the legs of someone wearing jeans and white trainers. They are holding a full backpack by their side. The text reads: “Come to me, all you who labour, and are overburdened and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn for me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Sr Judith@srjudithl· Jul 3

A 🧵for the feast of St Thomas. 1/6 St Thomas is one of my favourite disciples. He is so direct & has the courage to ask awkward questions. I often think that he asked the questions that other people don’t quite have the nerve for. I always feel sorry for him at the beginning of today’s gospel.

Two hands reaching out to touch against a dark background. The text reads: “Doubt no longer but believe.”

Sr Judith@srjudithl· Jul 1

A 🧵on choosing life. 1/7 In today’s first reading the prophet Amos echoes Deuteronomy’s call to “choose life” by seeking good and not evil: “Seek good and not evil so that you may live, and that the Lord, God of Hosts, may really be with you as you claim he is.”

Brown wooden crossroads sign pointing in opposite directions. It’s on a on a grassy field overlooking the sea. The text reads: “Seek good and not evil so that you may live…”

Sr Judith@srjudithl· Jun 29

A 🧵for St Peter & Paul. 1/6 As we celebrate the feast of Sts Peter and Paul I’m reflecting on courage. There’s no denying that we live in frightening and challenging times. Whatever direction we look in we risk being overwhelmed by the uncertainty and suffering people are forced to live with.

Hands waving in the air against a blue sky. One hand is attached to a handcuff the other cuff it open and thew hand is waving freely. The text reads: “From all my terrors the Lord sets me free.”

Sr Judith@srjudithl· Jun 28

A 🧵on taking up the cross. 1/7 Jesus is brutally honest with his disciples about the cost of following him. It will include suffering, loss, challenge & conflict. Jesus is making it clear to his disciples that following him will not help them to avoid the suffering of life.

A man with his head in his hands sitting on a leather arm chair in a darkened room. The text reads: “Those who do not take up their cross and follow in my footsteps are not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it; those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”

Sr Judith@srjudithl· Jun 24

A 🧵for the birthday of St John the Baptist.1/5 Today we’re celebrating the birthday of St John the Baptist. From his very beginnings John is marginal, he marks the boundaries between the Old Testament and the New Testament.

A man standing on a hill in a desert as the light fades. The text reads: “How shall we hear the Word if we despise the voice…”

Sr Judith@srjudithl· Jun 22

A 🧵for the feast of Sts John Fisher & Thomas More 1/7. Sts Thomas More &John Fisher lived in times that were brutal and frightening, full of betrayal and mistrust. As they faced their martyrdom the words of today’s gospel must have had a particular resonance for them:

A rainbow cast on a dark grey background. The text reads: “We are filled with joyful trust in God...”

Sr Judith@srjudithl· Jun 21

A gospel 🧵1/7 Today’s gospel addresses a powerful human emotion, fear. It’s something we all have personal experience of in a myriad of different ways. We know how fear can undermine our plans and our lives. We know it’s power to imprison and even destroy.

Two small birds perched on a wire. The text reads: “There is no need to be afraid; you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows.”

Sr Judith@srjudithl· Jun 17

A gospel 🧵1/6 In today’s gospel Jesus warns us against seeking attention and admiration for our faith and our good deeds. It’s a message that very much goes against the wisdom of age, which encourages us to seek notice and attention in every situation.

Hands open in prayer lying in someone’s lap. The text reads: “When you pray, go to your private room and, when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in that secret place, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.”

Sr Judith@srjudithl· Jun 17

#Benedictine, #challenge, #Christlike, #discernment, #Discipleship, #Gift, #gospel, #Hope, #humility, #kingdom, #KingdomValues, #lectiodivina, #love, #newlife, #prayer, #secret, #trust In silence & humility, new blog post on turveyabbey.org.uk/pilgrimage/?...

Sr Judith@srjudithl· Jun 14

A Gospel 🧵 1/5 In today’s gospel Jesus sends out his disciples to proclaim the Good News around the towns and villages. Having given them power to cast out demons and cured the sick he goes on to tell them: “As you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.”

A picture of the feet of two people standing next to each other beside a puddle. Their faces are reflected in the puddle. The text reads: “As you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.”

Sr Judith@srjudithl· Jun 12

A 🧵for Sacred Heart. 1/6 Today we are celebrating the feast of the Sacred Heart. It’s a feast that celebrates the love that is the core and foundation of the Christian life. It reminds us that we are called into being by love, for love’s sake, to live in love and to share that love with others.

A boy stretching up to use a long handed scrubbing brush to wash the roof of a car. The text reads: “Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest.”

Sr Judith@srjudithl· Jun 10

A gospel 🧵1/6 We are fascinated by novelty. There is a particular attraction in something new, something we’ve never come across before. Novelty is often captivating and exciting. Without it so much of human development and flourishing would have been impossible.

Hands holding two jigsaw pieces that fit together, but are not joined up to the light. The text reads: “Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them.”

Sr Judith@srjudithl· Jun 7

A Corpus Christi 🧵1/6 Corpus Christi being celebrated on two different days gives me another opportunity to revisit its rich readings. “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.” His words are full of hope, speaking to the unity we all desire.

People sharing an evening picnic around a table in a wood lit by candles and lights strung through the trees. The text reads: “What I want is love, not sacrifice; knowledge of God, not holocausts.”

Sr Judith@srjudithl· Jun 4

A 🧵for Corpus Christi. 1/6 As we celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi I’m reflecting on the nature of Eucharist. The Scripture that comes to mind is the Emmaus story. Although it’s not part of the feast’s liturgy it seems to me to capture something of its essence.

Hands holding out a freshly baked loaf in a tea towel. The text reads: “He took the bread and said the blessing; then he broke it and handed it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognised him…”

Sr Judith@srjudithl· Jun 3

A gospel 🧵1/6 Today’s gospel finds Jesus disputing with the Sadducees. They come to him with a series of hard questions, hoping to trap him into speaking out against the Law. Jesus knows what they are up to and takes the conversation beyond those arguments to a new level.

A pair of flip flops lying on a beach, the ocean is visible in the distance. The text reads: “God spoke to him, and said: ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.’” God is God, not of the dead, but of the living.”

Sr Judith@srjudithl· May 31

A 🧵for Trinity Sunday. 1/6 I’m drawn to this from St Paul’s letter to the Romans: “Our sufferings bring patience, as we know, & patience brings perseverance, & perseverance brings hope, ..."

A young green plant pushing up through dry cracked earth. The text reads: "This hope is not deceptive, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.”

Sr Judith@srjudithl· May 27

A🧵for the feast of St Augustine. 1/6 Today we’re celebrating the feast of St Augustine of Canterbury who, somewhat reluctantly, was sent by St Gregory the Great to bring the Gospel to the English.

A black and pink backpack abandoned on a gravel path. The text reads: “I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals.”

Sr Judith@srjudithl· May 24

An Eastertide 🧵1/7 My final Eastertide word is ABUNDANCE. All of Eastertide expresses the overflowing abundance of God’s love for us. That’s especially true as we celebrate the ABUNDANCE of gifts the Holy Spirit showers on us at Pentecost. Image ©Turvey Abbey

A picture of Turvey Abbey Chapel at Pentecost alongside a close up of the Pentecost tapestry. The tapestry’s background shows a stylised flame and dove in oranges, yellow and white. The foreground lists the some of our hopes for the coming of the Spirit. The text on the poster reads: “Come, cleanse, renew, heal, guide, fill, strengthen.”

Sr Judith@srjudithl· May 23

An Eastertide 🧵1/6 Today’s Eastertide word is ATTENTIVENESS. Today’s gospel covers the very end of Jesus’ conversation with Peter. Once again I find myself touched by Peter’s bluntness.

Two sets of footprints side by side on brown sand. The text reads: “You are to follow me”.

Sr Judith@srjudithl· May 22

An Eastertide 🧵1/7 Today’s Eastertide word is SURRENDER. The call to SURRENDER ourselves to Christ is the challenge and hope at the heart of today’s gospel. It revisits Peter’s conversation with Jesus on the beach after the resurrection after Peter has had a long and frustrating night’s fishing.

A person reaching their hand out towards the low sun which is shining over a calm sea. The text reads: “I tell you most solemnly, when you were young you put on your own belt and walked where you liked; but when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and somebody else will put a belt round you and take you where you would rather not go.”

Sr Judith@srjudithl· May 21

An Eastertide 🧵1/6 Today’s Eastertide word is KNOW. The farewell discourse in John’s gospel are full of riches as Jesus prepares his disciples for his departure he seems he does everything he can to make himself known to them in the fullest possible way:

An open Bible against the dark background with its pages being turned by a breeze. The text reads: “I have made your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and so that I may be in them.”

Sr Judith@srjudithl· May 20

An Eastertide🧵1/6 Today’s Eastertide word is GRACE. In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles Paul is saying goodbye to the Church at Ephesus. It’s an emotionally highly charged occasion. Paul has told them they are unlikely to see him again, and they weep as they say their goodbyes.