Blossom Like the Rose

AA can be a Roadmap to God and Spirituality
October 21, 2021
No more Springsteen at the Dentist…
November 12, 2021
AA can be a Roadmap to God and Spirituality
October 21, 2021
No more Springsteen at the Dentist…
November 12, 2021

by Sister Brenda Rose Szegedy, OSF

“Blossom like a rose growing by a stream… and bless the Lord for all his works.” Sirach 39: 13-14
Throughout the years this scripture passage has taken on deeper meaning for me.  As we draw near to the Feast of All Saints, I would like to share some thoughts about my name-saint.  Thank you to all who remember the “Rose” part of my name.  St. Rose of Lima has been my patron saint from my earliest childhood days.  Even at an early age I was inspired by this saint’s deep prayer life that flowed into her loving care for the poor and sick in a makeshift infirmary at her home.

Some years back on a thirty-day retreat, I had an opportunity to reflect on the image of the blossoming rose in light of my vocation.  Today I’ve become even more aware how God’s initial call to me has unfolded and deepened throughout the years in my life of shared Sisterhood within my Sylvania Franciscan community.  My retreat helped me to see the various aspects of my life as an unfolding rose.  The following reflection continues to take on  greater meaning for me as I ponder the countless persons who have blessed my life.

Quietly and imperceptibly the Rose gently opens revealing layer upon layer of
petals.  Each layer adds to the beauty and richness of the flower gradually
revealing something of its Center, the Core of its being.

It is the power of God’s transforming Love that opens each of us to fullness of life.  Throughout our lifetime our lives slowly unfold one petal at a time.  This, of course, involves a growth process that is a type of death.  The rose has to continually let go of what it presently is in order to become more.  All growth involves change and change implies surrender, a dying to a familiar way of being to enter into the Mystery of the “something new” God holds before us.

Today I continue to see my life and all life as an unfolding rose growing under the Gaze of God’s Love.  In turn, I am called to gaze with this same Love upon each person I encounter on life’s daily path.  It is with this Gaze that I meet my Sisters and countless others in my place of  prayer each day.
During this season of letting go, I invite you to join me in pondering:


What is my greatest challenge to continued growth in God’s unfolding plan?
How is my faith being “stretched” at this time?
What has to die in me?  What is being raised to new life in me?

 

Sister Brenda Rose Szegedy

Retreat Ministry

Sr. Brenda Rose Szegedy

Sister Brenda Rose Szegedy has ministered as teacher, formation minister, retreat director and spiritual guide.  For the past 14 years she has served as a member of the preaching team at Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo, MN.  Sister Brenda Rose relocated to the Motherhouse in Sylvania, OH in 2022 to continue sharing her gifts among her Sisters in community and others in the surrounding area as retreat minister and spiritual companion.  She believes with an ever-deepening conviction that every story is sacred.

5 1 vote
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of

6 Comments
newest
oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Sister Mary Thill
2 years ago

Lovely image of God’s unfolding love and our unfolding personhood.
I love roses…thanks for putting this image in my mind for future use.
Mary T.

Sister Irie
2 years ago

Thank you for this most thought provoking meditation on the beauty of the “Rose” and how each one of us are like that rose as our life unfolds each day.

Sister Nancy Linenkugel
2 years ago

Thanks for this inspiring reflection, Sr. Brenda Rose. Perhaps we too easily regard the rose as an expensive, fragrant flower given on St. Valentine’s Day or in a spray arrangement cascading on a casket. But the rose flower offers so much more.

Susan A Cutshall
2 years ago

I am so moved by your writing. The story as truly captured the rose and how each of us are linked. Thank you for the majestic thoughts and petals of life and change. I am unfolding each day due to the Franciscans and their divine intervention.

Shannon Schrein
2 years ago

Brenda Rose, this is a very lovely reflection on the beautiful metaphor of a rose. How apt it is for describing your vocational call. Thanks for sharing this and for your continual prayer support. Blessings!

Sr Brigid O'Shea Merriman
2 years ago

Thank you for your uplifting post, Dear Brenda Rose. I just finished reading it; it brings sunshine to the heart on this rainy October 29th. I just copied your reflection questions in order to spend time with them this evening. Wishing you every blessing, Brigid

6
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x