Photo by Sandra Cavieres rscj (CHI)
This prayer is based on the words of Jesus: “My peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you; a peace the world cannot give. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27)
It is a response in faith to the fears expressed in the answers to the questionnaire sent to our Sisters by the Commission for Elderly Sisters of the Province of Mexico.
Happy are you, conscious that apostolic activity does not end at a given age; rather it changes, with the maturity of our present stage and continues to provide the joy, energy and enthusiasm that enables us to respond with vitality to the mission, in the community to which we are sent, creating communion in what has been entrusted to us.
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR JUSTICE, THEY SHALL BE SATISFIED.
Happy are you who are aware of the risks as you grow older, and you trust that a loving hand will guide you on a safe path, whether you will be aware of it or not. The love of God and the love of your sisters will lead you to his infinite Love.
BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART, THEY SHALL SEE GOD.
Happy are you who have the courage to remember that Jesus said, “ I will be with you always, till the end of time” (Mt, 28:20). May this promise fill you with confidence. Personal and community prayer will help you to strengthen your belief that He is always near, that He is within.
BLESSED ARE POOR IN SPIRIT, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
Happy are you when you exercise awareness and try your best to overcome the obstacles on the journey, when you know how to ask help from the community, and when you are able to recover from weariness and keep on going. When called upon by others, you discern and may even change your path, so as to go out of yourself and encounter the Lord in these persons.
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO WEEP, THEY SHALL BE COMFORTED.
Happy are you who can recognise and face this feeling. All your life you have worked, struggled, loved, and have been faithful and collaborative both in community and in your apostolic ministry; for this, you will never be unknown and nameless in God’s story.
BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL, THEY SHALL BE SHOWN MERCY.
Happy are you who hand over your physical independence, in loving trust, renewing your “Yes”, spoken and strengthened in community. For you become conscious of your growth in freedom of spirit, in its fullness... For, in receiving now from others what you were freely able to do for them in the past, you realize how you are growing in humility....
BLESSED ARE THE HUMBLE, THEY SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH.
Happy are you who accepted the invitation of Jesus to live a style of life, of being a sign of his Reign; for this you have the support of prayer and of the community, to help you to be always willing to share who you are and what you have.
BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS, THEY SHALL BE CALLED GOD'S DAUGHTERS.