Missionaries of the Sacred Heart

Excerpts from a letter by Sister Theresa Molchanow, MSC, a member of the USA Province of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart:

Christina lived in my neighborhood in Mexico City. I grew to know her and her family quite well in my ministry to the sick of San Ramon Nonato Parish. Early in midlife Christina had suffered some sort of cerebral "accident." Specialists determined it was not a stroke that had taken away her ability to speak. Exhaustive therapy left her with the ability to speak just one word for everything she wanted to say. The lone word was "mañana." What Christina lacked in vocabulary she made up for with sincerity, emotion and facial expression. Christina was able to communicate everything she wanted to say! I cannot forget my conversations with Christina!

Born with the need and an ability to communicate, we might sometimes ask ourselves about what and how we choose to use our gift of speech. We know what happened at Pentecost when the Spirit enabled all to speak the mighty acts of God to everyone's understanding! Scripture offers us many invitations to speak, teach, preach, proclaim, ask, praise and testify. Jesus, the Word of God who walked among us, did not have to have the last word. We know that Spirit was sent to continue the conversation between God and us. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have told you (John 14:26)

What, do you think, we might say so that the Sacred Heart of Jesus might become known and loved everywhere? A good person brings forth good out of a store of goodness. (Matthew 12:35). How, then, can the words we speak communicate God's love? When the they bear witness to how God loves! When they build up and bond! When the acknowledge the dignity of all! When they endeavor to make connections among all things! When they search for the truth and teach it! When they confirm what God is doing! When they are honest and fair! When they heal and forgive! When the come from the Spirit of God within! When they know when to be silent! We could all honestly ask ourselves: What word might you add or delete from your vocabulary that could enhance a Culture of Love in our world?

People will often forget what you say. People might forget what you do. But people will never forget how they felt in your presence. (Carl W. Buechner)