In the Middle Ages, the idea of spiritual motherhood was quite popular among both women and men. St. Bernard of Clairvaux, a Cistercian, understood his role as abbot to be "Mother." St. Francis of Assisi described himself as a mother to his brothers, and Meister Eckhart wrote, "We are all meant to be mothers of God, for God always needs to be born."

See for Yourself - "I believe there's a plan of God for each of our lives. ... We don't know what's going on or why and can't explain it, but it's not for nothing."

"The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty."

Remembered in a special way on Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day, are 298 persons who fought and suffered in the Philippines, including many who gave their lives, to end the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos and martial rule that lasted 14 years. Their names are etched on the black granite Wall of Remembrance of the Bantayog ng mga Bayani (Monument for Heroes) in Quezon City, Metro Manila. Candles are lit, flowers are offered by relatives and friends and activities or programs are often held on this day.

Given the culture of the time where women did not have many options for support if they were alone, one might ask, what was the adulterous woman to do?

Sacred Heart of Mary Sr. Veronica Brand attended the second week of COP23, the U.N. climate change conference, through a collaboration with the Maryknoll Sisters. The November meeting in Bonn, Germany, featured "the strong and vibrant voice of women leaders from all geographical regions and backgrounds," she said.

"The other is always much closer to being our kin than we imagine. It's the continual work of the prophets and the Spirit to open our eyes to this simple yet astounding truth: Anyone can be our family if we let them."

Notes from the Field - Every second Sunday of the month, the Salesian Sisters in Nazareth have a silent retreat. On one such Sunday, I was amazed by the guidance of the Holy Spirit that I received for the retreat.

The Catholic social justice lobby Network has collected nearly 1,000 letters from women religious to U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, urging him to adopt a "fair and moral" federal budget.

"Evolutionary thinking is actually contemplative thinking, because it leaves the full field of the future in God's hands and agrees to humbly hold the present."