April 8, 2025 - Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Artist Sister Mary of the Compassion, OP (1908-1977)

In March of 1958, Sr. Mary of the Compassion's artwork was displayed at the Setonia Art Exhibit here at Seton Hall University, where they were awarded top prizes. Recognition for Sr. Compassion's artwork was brought to the attention of Seton Hall by Monsignor John Oesterreicher, a Jewish convert to Catholicism and the founder of the Institute of Judeo-Christian Studies here at Seton Hall University. He was an admirer of Sr. Compassions’ art and, in a lecture he gave at Seton Hall, Msgr. Oesterreicher praised Sr. Compassion in these words, “There is something transcendent about her work; it speaks of another world. It attempts (and I think succeeds) to interpret for us the eternal truths. Her paintings are not of an everyday beauty, but of a rare beauty.” Msgr. Oesterreicher’s words demonstrate his gratitude for the artwork of Sr. Compassion and how her work has engaged him and the viewer to see the transcendent. 

“We have sinned in complaining against the Lord…” This attitude of gratitude is not what we encounter in our first reading today from the Book of Numbers; here we witness the complaining, whining, and moaning of the Israelites as they continue their journey toward the Promised Land. While their trek has been laborious, the Israelites have forgotten what God has done for them—liberating them from Egyptian slavery. Their gratitude and hospitable attitude they once possessed have waned.

On some levels we can relate to the Israelites: we experience discomfort, difficulties, and tough times that lead us to complain. But what we want to avoid—that the Israelites were exhibiting—is chronic complaining. This can poison our perceptions of situations we are experiencing. Maybe we have experienced it this Lent; maybe when we think of the Cup Christ asks us to drink from, we only see the difficulties and discomfort we can experience that may lead us to complain. 

Let us pray for an attitude of gratitude, even amid challenges. Let us welcome the difficulties of life as moments to learn and to make us stronger, knowing that in the end, All Will Be Well! 

Grant us, we pray, O Lord, perseverance in obeying your will, that in our days the people dedicated to your service may grow in both merit and number. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. (Roman Missal)

Rev. Dominic Ciriaco, Coordinator of Preaching as Hospitality Formation Program

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