Cradles of Love ~ Jubilee Vespers

By Renee  Dreiling OP ~ May 31, 2008

John 15:9-17

Joan Chittister in her book:  The Gift of Years:  Growing Older Gracefully remarks that older people tend to come in two flavors – the sour ones and the serene ones.  The sour ones are angry, demand the world seek them out, take pity on them, take their orders and stay captive to their scowls.  The serene ones live with soft smiles on their aging faces, accepting this different age of life as new and wonderful as they grow more and more into and at home with themselves.  As they embrace the gift and grace of old age, they become luminous.

I think our twelve jubilarians have certainly begun the journey of being luminous! Think about how these remarkable women have been light for you over the years! We could do a whole homily just on Sister Salesia who has lived a vowed life with us for 80 years! And then for 75 years Sister Rosalia and Sister Ruth. For 70 years Sister Coletta and Sister Cornelia. For 60 years Sisters Charlotte Unrein, Geraldine, Mary Ellen and Sibyllina, and for 50 years Sisters Kathleen and Kevin, along with our miracle, Sister Dominic.

I think the commitment to prayer and to remaining in Jesus’ love is a big part of that becoming luminous.

I love the gospel of John and its many discourses in which Jesus expounds on the necessity and beauty of living in his love.  Jesus makes it clear that he wants a dynamic relationship with his disciples, one that is an ongoing, personal, affective love relationship.  A friendship that creates a shared life with himself.  He promises that this friendship, which he reminds us is one that he chose, will bring joy not only to us but that it will overflow to everyone around us.  This joy that we share will be part of the fruit that Jesus says will last, even as we give it away.  Growing older will not diminish it.  Growing older never diminishes our ability to give nor to receive love if we stay intimately involved in the life and love of Jesus.

So how do we do that?  How can we renew our living joyously in Jesus’ love?

Eugene Peterson in his book, Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places, tells a story that moved and inspired me to deepen my love.

The story began with a call from his son sharing the news that he and his wife were having a baby.  It would be Eugene’s first grandchild.  He and his wife jumped in the car to go visit.  His wife, son and daughter-in-law were brimming with anticipation.  Eugene felt nothing.  He had three children—it was six more months till the baby came—what was so special?  He complained to his wife about this lack of emotion and asked what was wrong with him.  She told him it was because he had never been pregnant.  His reply was, “Well, that’s just great, so what am I going to do about that?”

She told him to build a cradle.

So he searched for pictures of cradles, decided on an Early American hooded cradle, sketched out plans, selected specialty Honduras mahogany and began building.  He cut, sandpapered, used fine steel wool, applied tung oil over and over to deepen the color until it seemed to glow from within.  As he shaped the wood, held it, rubbed it lovingly and imagined the baby in it, his gratitude and anticipation increased until he was truly excited and prepared to receive the gift of new life.

Reading, reflecting and coming to know Jesus better in the gospel of John is one way that helps me to shape the cradle of my love.  What helps you shape yours?