Sr. Maria Kim Renews her Vows.

Congratulations to Sr. Maria Kim as she Renews her Vows.

We congratulate Sr. Maria who Renewed her Vows at a special Eucharistic Ceremony held in the chapel of our Columban Sisters’ Area House, Seoul on August 27th  Fr. Donal O’Keeffe, SSC was the celebrant.  It was a joyful occasion as the Sisters in the Area gathered with Maria supporting and encouraging her on this important step in her life.

Maria’s chose the following motto for this Renewal of Vows from the Gospel of John:

“When you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch our your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go”. John 21:18. 

For the ceremony Maria, chose two special meaningful readings as she journeys along the road of life, seeking and finding the Lord, who guides and walks with her on her journey.  Psalm 139 is one of the more well-known and well-beloved psalms—and for good reason. This psalm speaks of the pervasive presence of God, and his intimate knowledge of us, which offer us a big measure of hope and comfort in the face of difficulties and trials. The writer of Psalm 139 announces the threats that befall him and pleads for God’s action.  In this psalm, however, the psalmist’s hope rests entirely with the God who knows him, the God with whom he is in relationship. The verb “to know,” occurs seven times in the poem which repeatedly reinforces the “I-Thou” relationship between the psalmist and God. This “I-Thou” relationship serves as the “unifying thread” throughout the psalm and this unifying thread of relationship with God applies to Maria’s life as well as each one of us.

Her second choice of reading was from John’s Gospel: John 21:15-19 and it is from the heart of this reading that Maria chose her motto for her Renewal.

 “When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

 Maria continues to follow the Lord in today’s world and listening to Psalm 139 she too prays this psalm and asks the Lord to:  

 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!

And see if my way is crooked,

And lead me in the way everlasting!                                                 

 

 

 

 

 

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