Holy Week vows: grace and joy

Today, we have had the joy of a young sister professing her first vows. Zsófi has made her vows, and begins her life as an RSCJ, on the eve of Palm Sunday, and Holy Week's journey with Jesus to the Cross. At first glance, this might seem like a sombre start to a life to be filled with a joy which is ever new; to knowing and showing that God is able to fill her heart to the brim with a happiness she does not need to seek elsewhere (cf Pope Francis' Letter to Consecrated People). Yes; the Risen Jesus awaits us, but first she - we - must contemplate and be with him in his suffering and death. But I'm sure there is a powerful grace in this timing, and that this close journeying with Jesus, and his self-given outpouring of unlimited love, can become the hallmark and underlying grace of all her life and mission. 

Like every newly-vowed RSCJ before her, she was given a crucifix. This morning I prayed with mine, recalling the words of blessing, resonating with my own deepest desires, from thirty years ago; a prayer identical to the blessing which was said over Zsófi's: 

Gracious and loving God, we who accept your covenant of love must be ready, as Jesus was, to lay down our lives for love. We find in him whose heart was pierced the example and strength to respond to you in total love. Bless this cross, Saving God, that it may be for Zsófi a constant reminder of the price that must be paid for love. May she grow in the image of your Son, surrendering herself joyfully to you.

And yes: there is joy in this surrender, as there was for Jesus; and in him we do indeed find the graced strength for responding in total love to the One whose uncontained love surpasses all others. All this is held within the mystery of the Cross and of our redemption, into whose depths we will enter, alone and together, in the coming days.

For her Gospel Zsófi chose the very brief parable about the person who finds treasure in a field, and sells everything to buy it (Matthew 13:44). And so, I will end by paraphrasing the words with which our Provincial concluded her welcome at the beginning of the Mass... and ask you to join me in holding Zsófi today in your prayers, as she takes this significant step to follow her heart's desire, and to discover and make known the treasure that is God's unconditional love for her, and for our entire world.