Christmas: Little Child, O Little Child

Little Child

O Little Child

born this day

becoming one of us

showing us love’s way.

Little Child

O Little Child 

shepherds gather near

in you they know

there is nothing to fear.

Little Child

O Little Child

angels sing your praise

our hearts are stirred

as with them our voices raise.

Little Child

O Little Child

creation repeats this joy

born for us, born for all

you, Mary’s little boy.

Little Child

O Little Child

Joseph gently guarding you

inviting those who seek

to witness love a new.

Little Child

O Little Child

animals give you a home

they seem to know

that with you we are not alone.

Little Child

O Little Child

wise ones arrive with gifts

adoring you, worshipping you

God present in their midst.

Little Child

O Little Child

I too draw to your side

I kneel now at your manger

giving all I hold inside.

Little Child

O Little Child

you are now here

I rejoice in this gift

for you I love so dear.

Little Child

O Little Child

you are the way

you are truth and life

be born in me today.

Little Child

O little Child

Jesus born this day

you are one of us, with us 

beyond this Christmas day.

St. Francis of Assisi was so in awe of the Christ Child that when he spoke of the Babe from Bethlehem his voice sounded like a bleating sheep and tasted like sweet honey. May our voices be filled with warmth and delight this Christmas Season. 

As we draw near the stable, let us be mindful of the simplicity of it. As we celebrate the birth of our Saviour, let us be mindful that he calls us to simplicity so that we may all enjoy the gift of his birth and God present in all of creation. 

As we linger at his manger, let us be aware of those who have nothing and simply seek the warmth of humanity. Let us be aware that the Christ Child and his parents were refugees and migrants seeking shelter and that at this time there are thousands of our brothers and sisters in the same situation.

As we gaze upon the Holy Family, let us be conscious of those who have no family and those who are alone. Let us be conscious that the newborn Child calls us to make room for one more at our tables, in our churches, in our gatherings. 

As we gather with family and friends to celebrate, let us be attentive that several people will not be able to do so because of suffering, hurts, natural disasters and violence. Let us be attentive to their needs and at the very least offer prayers in this holy season for these our brothers and sisters.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us give thanks and praise to God for all that we have and all the good and generous gifts we have received. Let us give thanks and praise that our God is with us today and always.

Merry Christmas 

may the blessings of this season be abundant 

and lead you to walk into 2020 with renewed vision and hope.

Thank you for including my blog in your daily living of the gospel. 
Peace and all good.

Blogs will continue again in the new year.

Artwork by: Yevgenia Petrenko, ofs - Ukraine

Advent IV

Hope and promise

in the wings of an angel

in the whisper of the message

in the yes of the young women.

Hope and promise

in the dreams of night

in the wisdom of the angel

in the yes of the young man.

Hope and promise

in the trust embodied

in the strength for the journey

in the yes of the young couple.

Hope and promise

in the journey to Bethlehem

in the stable as a shelter

in the yes even in the unknown.

Hope and promise

in the stable of long ago

in the message for us today

in the yes to bear Christ.

Hope and promise

in my carrying of this hope

in my living of this promise

in my yes which I give.

O Come O Come Emmanuel

the time is drawing near!

Advent Journey III

Advent days

where are you going?

You are slipping away

so very quickly.

The days are full,

they pull at me

to be busy,

so as not to go with purpose.

Advent days:

preparations and contemplation,

quiet and demands,

the tensions which hold this season.

Carols begin to fill my ears,

twinkling lights begin to appear,

cookies here and cakes too,

all so good but must having meaning.

Advent days

you awaken me

to stirrings in my heart

help me to listen.

The gifts of the season

the special treats and surprises

what do they say to me?

Do they lead me to the true gift?

Advent days

your message is prepare,

transform the way,

be ready for the child King comes to us.

Your days are now over half gone

yet I still have days to walk in you,

to grasp moments,

to ponder, to pray, to be.

Advent days

even in the busy

you find ways to whisper to me

about peace, hope, joy and love.

Settle into me O peace,

anchor me O hope,

guide my actions O joy

live through me O love…

in these few remaining Advent days and beyond.

Rejoice! Rejoice! 

Emmanuel is drawing near!

- inspired by the reality of a full schedule,

and finding time for Advent reflections.

Advent Journey II

Advent you are filled with

rich and interesting characters

and inviting winter darkness.

Rich and interesting characters

and inviting winter darkness

which awakens me,

calls me to who I am

and the light dawning within.

Prophets, seers, sages,

challenge me to see

the light I carry

and how I let it shine.

Darkness which enfolds me,

gently slows me down,

awakening me to truths

and wisdom needed.

Wise women and brave men

walk with me on this journey,

whispering to me their stories,

which are part of my own.

The darkness of this season

envelops around me like a gentle blanket

not laden with fear or worry

rather with hope, like a child in the womb.

Isaiah, Jeremiah and John the Baptist

declare what is coming

and what has already come;

I must take up what they have heralded.

Darkness creates a masterpiece,

my eyes adjusting to new ways

of seeing into my heart

and the stirring hope which enlightens it.

Zechariah and Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph

bravely walk to the tune of love

embracing your gifts, deciding to go with trust,

I too must do the same this season and life journey.

Darkness calms my busyness,

dances around my false dreams

calls me to listen, to listen deeply

to you, O God, you with us.

Advent your gifts are

rich and interesting characters

and inviting winter darkness,

reminding me I am not alone,

telling me to raise up my head

for new light is dawning

and I too have my part

in preparing the way.

Come O Come Emmanuel, 

be born in us again.

- inspired by the darkness to dawn of a winter morning prayer time and

the readings of the First Week of Advent.

Advent Journey

We trudge along,

the daily grind

keeping us locked in

to the ways the world wants.

The seasons change,

the days grow short,

the nights linger on,

we stumble through.

A small light appears

then another shines

soon another appears

the path is not so dark.

The path has a name,

it is Advent,

we enter in

embracing light by light.

Embracing this light

requires waiting and patience

to kindle it more;

enflaming it within.

Advent light:

the armor I put on

strengthening me;

calming my soul.

Awakening me more

to the brilliance of

the Light of Lights

desiring to be born in me.

The journey need not be

a trudge; an aimless way,

rather purposeful steps

must be my way.

Step by step,

with light in hand,

hope builds at my core

on this way I must go.

The invitation comes each year

it is mine to choose

how will I walk

this Advent path?

With works of darkness

or by wearing light?

With greedy hoarding

or free generosity?

With endless tasks

or expectant hope?

With swords and shields

or determined plowshares?

With proud self-will

or a humble trust?

With worldly ways

or “God’s will be done?”

The sacred journey

climbing each day,

God ahead of us,

God behind us and with us.

A step ahead,

light in hand,

rejoicing for the coming kingdom:

O Come O Come Emmanuel!

Welcome Advent Time!

“Come let us walk in the light of the Lord.”

-inspired by the “Growing in Hope” Advent Retreat

at Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre

and Isaiah 2:1-5

Kingdom of Love and Fraternity

As the Church Year comes to a close with the Feast of Christ the King (Sunday) and this last week of Ordinary Time I often think about who is Christ as King. Christ as a King, not your ordinary image of him. Often artwork portraying him as king have him in royal robes and fancy crowns; this often misses the mark of the true image of kingship. Kingship, especially that of Christ is an image of humility, service, hospitality, sacrifice and inclusion. Christ Jesus born in a manger, welcomed all with the love of God, washed the feet of his disciples and his grand royal march was to the Calvary hill where he laid down his life for the kingdom. Not so much the image of royal robes flowing, the crown fit perfectly and the grand throne to sit upon.

This past week our community of Friars gathered for a morning of reflection. We reflected upon St. Francis and his encounter with the Sultan 800 years ago. One of the readings we reflected with was the document which Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmad Al-Tayyeb signed earlier this year as a joint document entitled “HUMAN FRATERNITY FOR WORLD PEACE AND LIVING TOGETHER.” 

Click on the link for the document:
http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/events/event.dir.html/content/vaticanevents/en/2019/2/4/fratellanza-umana.html

This document calls us to see that our God is a God of encounter and God of love. It reminds us that as one human family we are united to one another and that the kingdom of God is for all people. This is the kingdom which Christ desires.  

This was also made evident this past week as we hosted a dialogue evening between Christians and Muslims. Both presenters, an Imam from Calgary and a Friar from Rome, made the point that our human fraternity, our common bond as brothers and sisters is rooted in love because God has created and loves us. This is the kingdom which I see, as I consider Christ the King. Not one which has used his name to conquer lands or promote fear, not one which has suppressed relationships or barricade peace, not one which has presented a tainted version of Christ’s goodness and how he came as a messenger of the love of God.

As kingdom builders we must continue to build bonds with our brothers and sisters in our communities. We must build a kingdom where all are welcome, where love, hope and hospitality speak of the kingdom to come and a kingdom which is always just so very close.

Reflecting on the Human Fraternity document and the events of this past week this prayer arose in me.

You God of Life

You God of All

You God of Love

desire nothing more than

justice and mercy

compassion and goodness

understanding and peace

dignity and love

for all your children

where ever we are

how ever we are

who ever we are.

You God of Life

You God of All

You God of Love

you have created us

in your image

holy, good, worthy,

innocent, free, magnificent,

wonderful, unique, beloved

all your children

where ever we are

how ever we are

who ever we are.

You God of Life

You God of All

You God of Love

in our brokenness

you do not abandon us

rather you awaken us to

what we offer each other

in fraternal bonds

for all your children

where ever we are

how ever we are

who ever we are.

You God of Life

You God of All

You God of Love

call us to

defend innocent human life

befriend the poor

walk with refugees and outcasts

be family win community

all your children

where ever we are

how ever we are

who ever we are.

You God of Life

You God of All

You God of Love

we call upon you

we desire to reflect you

we strive to be life-giving

we are filled with hope

we thrive in your love

for we are all your children

where ever we are

how ever we are

who ever we are.

You God of Life

You God of All

You God of Love.

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. 

- 1 John 4.7

Precious Promise

“Not a hair on your head will perish.” Luke 21. 18

Earlier this week a dear friend of mine told me that his Godson died a day shy of being 2 months old. Two months old, not two years, not two decades, not two times two times two times two times two, no, merely 59 days old.

My heart sank. My heart hurts for the parents of this child, his siblings, his grandparents, Godparents and relatives. As I write this, tears sit in my eyes as I reflect on the gift of life we are each given and the brief moments which is 59 days, 29 years, 64 years or 91 years. No matter the length of life or the shortness of life – life is precious. That may should cliché to say, it may even sound controversial to some who read this, but if we fail to see how precious life is, we fail to see the goodness, the worth, the dignity and the holiness which is ours and in all of creation.

I can guarantee you that the parents of this child are keenly aware of how precious life is and are yearning to understand the gift of 59 days. I can guarantee you that each moment this child was held, caressed, whispered to, snuggled and prayed for he was filled with the gift of how precious he was for his brief journey here and how precious he is in the eyes of God. I can guarantee you not one precious lock of hair on his head that his mother gently kissed, that his father gently patted, that his sisters gleefully were amazed by has not gone unnoticed by them or by the kingdom of heaven. Yes, his family now walks the path of mourning and emptiness but that does not leave them in despair. The promise of knowing that “not a hair on your head will perish” is the promise made to us in the resurrection that of life eternal. Life eternal where suffering does not have a place, where mourning is not part of the vocabulary, where grief does not letters to spell itself out; this is the precious promise this family now ponders in their hearts.

We do not know how our life journey will unfold, how brief or how long it will be. We have no assurances except for the love of God. Even when we are sorrow-filled, even when we feel we have lost the way, even when our life seems to be in shambles, even when life as we know it has changed God’s love is ever present. God’s love can not perish and will not perish, for God’s love is woven into the goodness, worthiness and holiness of our DNA. How precious is that? It is 59 days precious; it is a life time precious, it is an eternity precious.

As the days grow longer and we move into the depths of fall and winter let us be aware of those who walk in the shadows of death, of those who seek light because their darkness seems overwhelming, of those who mourn and desire for warmth and light to break the darkness. Let us be mindful of parents mourning the loss of a child – no matter the age, of families mourning the loss of a parent who filled the home with light, of those who have no one to mourn them or those who mourn alone. Our prayers can simply be a light which reminds them of the precious gift of life that is beyond this earthly one we so desperately hold onto as precious.

Each story is precious. So many moments we have are precious (and so often they pass us by) and our God is here with us for “to be near to God is my happiness, to place my hope in God the Lord” (Psalm 72.28).

Rest in peace little one.

Perpetual light indeed shines up you.

May the souls of all the deceased rest in precious peace.

Angel Protecting an Acorn by Anita Klein 

Peace and Remembrance

Prayers always raising up this primal need

and yet we fail to see within that it must begin with me.

Each day another sad story comes across the news

and we wonder why and if this will ever end.

Are we doing all we can to build a culture of respect?

and so, to say with assured hope, “we will remember them.”

Canadians are called into remembrance each November eleventh

and we must ask ourselves: is it enough to only remember?

Each day provides us with a new opportunity to work for the common good

and remembrance is a part of this with my actions being those of  PEACE.

Franciscans are often known for their efforts of working towards peace because of the actions of St. Francis. The attributed “Prayer of St. Francis” is a constant echo not just for Franciscans but for all of us. As we consider each of those lines from that prayer, they call us to peace because they call us to selfless action.

where there is hatred, let me sow love

where there is despair, hope

where there is darkness, light

grant that I may not so much seek

to be understood as to understand

to be loved as to love

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned

The prayer asks us to look beyond ourselves and see how our actions either enhance peace or rob it not only from ourselves but from so many others. It must be begun with us.

As we pause on this Remembrance Day, as we see the sea of poppies red, let us be aware that the wars we fight today can be stopped if we look at our lives with selflessness and how we are people of peace. Remembrance Day is for remembering wars long past and wars most recent. Is it not also time to start remembering that peace begins with us, not those over there or those down the street or those from that church?

Blessed are the peacemakers: 

for they shall be called children of God. 

– Matthew 5.9

Let us be peace peacemakers.

Let us remember.

I Must Stay

Jesus said: 

“Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; 

for I must stay at your house today.” 

– Luke 19.5

Zacchaeus, Martin, Elizabeth, Kevin, Mandy, Thomas, Madison, Eli, Callie, you, me… it doesn’t matter whose name is at the start of this sentence taken from the gospel of Luke, Jesus is speaking to each one of us. Not just once and while, not just when we think we need him or when we wish he would show up, no, always. Each day Jesus says to us, “I must stay at your house today.”

“I must,” Jesus says. This alone is a gift. That Jesus sees being with us as a must. The “I must” is not a maybe, not when his schedule clears, not for the holidays, not when winter passes. No excuses necessary so Zacchaeus can attest to. This is a must which comes from a deep place of love and care. A deep desire to be present to us and for us in our everyday living. Remember scripture tells us that Emmanuel means – “God with us” and by Jesus saying “I must stay at your house today” is another way of reminding us of this truth.

This causes us a bit of panic. We think our homes are not good enough, we think we are unworthy, we think that too many others will talk. Again, Zacchaeus can attest to this, that no excuse is worth making to Jesus. When Jesus says must, he means it. Like Zacchaeus we too should “hurry and be happy to welcome him.” Do we? Do we readily welcome Jesus each day into our homes? Into our living? Into our working? Into our joys and struggles?

I guess that is what I have been pondering this past week and when I read this gospel for this weekend it gave some context to my pondering.

I have been pondering my Grandparents as they settle into new surroundings and a new home after many years in their rural community. They are now city dwellers in a retirement residence and it’s taking some time for them to adjust and find their new normal. Yet, Jesus knocks at their door and says, “I must come and stay at your house today.” I’m sure there are days they struggle to hear the knocking or don’t want to answer the door, but I think each day they do in some way. Whether it is answering the phone from one of family calling or meeting a new neighbour at lunch or slowly figuring out what the residence offers them for activities, Jesus is indeed staying at their house today. 

I know they don’t necessarily see it this way, but these two have been witnesses to me and my journey of faith and so I know in their hearts there is truth that Jesus is at their house. I know this because their faith is their anchor and as life changes with aging, different struggles are faced and new challenges are trying to be embraced they rely on Christ who is present to them. They rely on prayer which has been their foundation, they rely on each other and a passionate - loved-filled - vibrant marriage, they rely on the care and concern of others and it is in these moments that the must of the invitation of Jesus is made evident. It is these moments which speak of Emmanuel – “God with us” which they have witnessed to me my whole life.

So whether we are settling into a retirement residence or facing a new adventure in our work life, whether we are trying to navigate what it means to be family or have the courage to stand alone, whether we are content with life or beginning anew, we always have a companion because Jesus said “he must stay at our house today” and decided not to leave because God desires nothing more than to love us and remain with us. 

This is indeed Good News! 

A Litany for Today

For the still morning crisp air of fall

For the big blue sky which never ends

For overcast and foggy views

For sunshine breaking through the grey

                                God of Creation we thank you.

               

Where anger rises above reason

Where divisions continue to make a gap

Where individualism takes a stand

Where fear makes itself known

                                God of Peace show us right ways.

For leaders of countries and nations

For those who respond to crisis

For families living in chaos

For those who work for the good of all

                                God of Goodness guide and protect us.

Where communities rise up together

Where forgiveness becomes common ground

Where conversation leads to charity

Where respect builds bridges

                                God of Love be our strength.

For moments of quiet, of rest and of prayer

For safe places and places which become home

For bonds strengthened and affirming

For hope each day even when not seen clearly

                                God of Hope with us always.

Whirlwind: Year 1 as a Province

Do you ever stop and look at your life and feel like you are standing in the center of it watching it whirlwind around you?

Not disconnected from it rather amazed at how much has happened and is happening and what is yet to come. It really is amazing isn’t it? In this whirlwind we are called to be present and to live fully aware of the life which is our gift today. Each day unfolding blessings, graces, disguised moments with God, strength for the journey, wonder and awe and even the hardships or trials we face the day is gift to us. It really is outstanding isn’t it? This thought has been rolling around in my mind today as I look back and look ahead and strive to be present to today.

I look back to a year ago this coming week – October 22. That day etched into the permanent memory and story of the Franciscans in Canada. October 22 marks the day we stepped forth with bright eyes, hopeful hearts and dedicated determination to become the Holy Spirit Province Saint-Esprit - Franciscans of Canada. That day and the week of Chapter around that day infused in us Friars a desire to give witness of fraternity, mission, prayer, evangelization and contemplation for the church in Canada.

In his homily on October 22, 2018 our Minister General, Friar Michael Perry shared wisdom taken from words spoken by Saint John XXIII. Words that he felt best captured the inauguration of the new Province.

“Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you have tried and failed in, but with what is still possible for you to do.”

That truly does capture the spirit of our beginning and what has unfolded in the year since. Friars from across Canada have continued to hope and dream. We have voiced concerns and frustrations but have not let them hold us down or hold us back. There has been much dialogue and new opportunities embrace. We continually look to our unfulfilled potential in how we are ministering, where we need to minister and what more we can do based on our age demographic, geographical demographic and the demographic of the church in Canada. We have acknowledged the work of our Brothers who built up our presence in Canada and appreciate the ongoing works and unique ministries of so many of our Brothers today. We have celebrated the life of Brothers who now rejoice with the heavenly host, we have welcomed two new simply professed Brothers into our fold and I even had the humbling gift of making my Solemn Vows in this first year as a new Province. We continue to plan for new adventures and ministry, we strive to be present in all types of situations from calls for climate action to education, from parishes to retreat ministry, with the outcast and broken, for the church, with the church and in the church – no matter what the church may look like that day. We continue to tell our story and invite others to join our story by embracing Franciscan spirituality and asking others to take the risk and journey with us as a Friar.

Our story is unfolding for much is still possible for us Franciscans and for those who we minister with and build the kingdom together. It is here that I come back to the image of the whirlwind and realize that it is the promptings, the movement and the work of the Holy Spirit which is the whirlwind awakening us more to the hopes, dreams, unfulfilled potential and the possibilities which God sees in our Province. It is exciting and breathtaking, overwhelming and yet grounding in some way (maybe uprooted and planted to be grounded in a new place type of way). When we lose sight of these promptings, when we fail to breath in the breath of the Spirit and only breath in our own visions, when we fail to continue the work which was begun a year ago our patron the Holy Spirit does not linger behind. Rather the Holy Spirit is already ahead of us and calling us to step bravely onto new paths and to give witness to the breath of God in all of creation, in the here and now and in the call to begin again, for as St. Francis said, “up to now we have done very little.”

As we look ahead and move into another chapter of the life of the Franciscans in Canada; of the Holy Spirit Province Saint-Esprit the words of Saint Paul also echo in our ears and in our hopes and dreams, “all who are led by the Spirit are children of God” (Romans 8:14). It is this promise that settles in our core and calls us to life today and tomorrow and allows us to give thanks for what was in our yesterdays. As Children of God we desire nothing more than to share the good news and live the gospel of his beloved Son, Jesus. We continually open ourselves up to the Spirit and how she reminds us that all we journey with and all of creation are God’s children.

As one of the young Friars in the Province I am humbled and awed by the support and generosity of so many people. I must say thank you, I (and I know my Brothers) are so grateful. It is in gratitude that I humbly ask for your continued prayers and support as we write this next Chapter.

I invite you to pray with us, 

using the words of our Brother and Founder St Francis of Assisi:

Almighty, eternal

just and merciful God,

inwardly cleansed,

interiorly enlightened

and inflamed by the

fire of the Holy Spirit,

may we be able to follow

in the footprints of

Your beloved Son,

our Lord Jesus Christ.

Peace and all Good.