Pentecost: Fire of Your Love

Our world is on fire,

the planet is burning up,

COVID-19 continues to smoulder,

destruction of Mother Earth is at a boiling point.

And so, we cry out: Come Holy Spirit with the fire of your love.

Humanity is at a breaking point

race relations are fraying into shreds,

the dignity of the other is decaying,

universal fraternity is crumbling a part.

And so, we cry out: Come Holy Spirit with the strength of your love.

The church is hurting,

the gospel being tarnished for dollars,

abuses squashing the truth,

voices not being heard.

And so, we cry out: Come Holy Spirit with the freedom of your love.

People are being forgotten,

the elderly are being neglected,

those in poverty left as the unwanted,

refugees once again abandoned.

And so, we cry out: Come Holy Spirit with the embrace of your love.

We must rise up,

our voices matter,

hearts speak truth,

anger only destroys.

And so, we cry out: Come Holy Spirit with the honesty of your love.

These past weeks of isolation,

truths about self exposed,

wounds to big to face,

we turn away from our needed healing. 

And so, we cry out: Come Holy Spirit with the courage of your love.

Time has been on our side,

Lessons learned again,

new truths take root,

a restart which cannot be wasted.

And so, we cry out: Come Holy Spirit with the truth of your love.

Life still abounds,

Hope does prevail,

Faith helps us see beyond,

Love is closer than we realize.

And so, we cry out: Come Holy Spirit with the gift of your love.

New life announces itself again,

the wind of change blows,

at our core the flame is fanned,

we are the heralds of good news.

And so, we cry out: Come Holy Spirit with the fire of your love.

Pentecost is not just a day, it is not just a movement, it is continually awakening us to true life. The gift of the Spirit of Jesus is embodied in each of us. Jesus breathe don them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20). No matter who we are, the Spirit breathes through our every breath. As we face the struggles and what may seem like despair in the reality of our 2020 world, may the prayer “Come Holy Spirit” remind us that God is indeed with us. Yes, even in all of this, God is with us at the edges to catch us, meet us, offers us deep peace (the greeting of Jesus after his resurrection is “Peace be with you”(John 20)) and breathe life into us. The fire of God’s love settles into our bones and permeates our living, even here at the edges. Jesus said: “I am with you always” (Matthew 28) he also said, “I will make it known, that the love with which God has loved me may be in them, and I in them” (John 17).  
Yes, each breath we take God-Jesus-Holy Spirit is that close.

Come Holy Spirit

kindle in us the

fire and life of your love, 

so that we may be one

with you in the divine gift

of Love.

Amen.

Pentecost is the Feast Day for the Holy Spirit Province - Franciscans of Canada. We humbly ask for your prayers as we continue to be open to the Holy Spirit guiding us and our ministries. 

Always

“Remember, I am with you always, 

to the end of the age.” 

– Matthew 28.20

Enough said.

I was going to leave my blog post at that for this week. I mean what more do we need? This last line from the Gospel of Matthew is an extension of the promise the angel made in the Annunciation of Jesus being named: Emmanuel – God with us. Our God with us, always. Forever. 
What else does one say about this? 

Yet we seem NOT to remember this promise. It gets lost in our daily living and stresses; we forget it in the goodness as well. This week between Ascension and Pentecost is a good week to engrave this promise on our minds, on our hearts and on our lips. Each day whisper this promise to yourself as you begin and end your day.

I am

Divine Love

Divine Mystery

Everlasting Father

Wonderful Counselor

Mighty God

Prince of Peace

Faithful Friend

with you always

in the womb and beyond the tomb

during pandemics and during natural disasters

when diagnoses come back negative or positive

as relationships crumble or are repaired

while at work or while at play

during prayer and serving others

when it has felt like too much or not enough

in the silence and in the noise

as we grow and age

when anger is present or when joy abounds

during stressful times and during relaxing times

while we grieve and, in our hope,

in other words – always.

to the end of the age.

forever and ever.

forever and ever and ever.

forever and ever and ever and ever.

Amen  - so be it!

Let us remember this promise and 
let it be the way that we greet each day,
let it be the way that we gather in prayer,
let it be the way that we share our gifts,
let it be the way that we serve others,
let it be the way that we embrace family and friends, 
          strangers and enemies,
let it be the way that we express: “Peace be with you.”

“Remember, I am with you always, 

to the end of the age.”

#LaudatoSi5 – The Invested Love of God

God's Blessings

God's blessings abound 

they are all around 

from the stars above 

to the earth below

love invested in each part. 

God's blessings abound 

they are within us 

from are beating heart 

to our every breath

love invested in each part. 

God's blessings abound 

they are here and now 

in times of trial 

in times of joy 

love invested in each part. 

God's blessings abound 

we do not go without 

my words and my deeds 

declare this good news: 

love invested in each part. 

God’s love is invested into each part of who we are and all of creation. It is why St. Francis of Assisi was able to see and declare: Brother Sun, Sister Moon and so on. It is why he was able to challenge us to be mothers, siblings and spouses to Christ. It is why we was able to abandon his all and entrust his life to God. He knew God’s blessings abound because God invested love into everything.


Where are we investing ourselves?
How are we investing ourselves?
Can we invest ourselves to build up the human family and care for our common home?
What does that look like in these days?
What is the Love which has been invested into you inviting you to?

#LaudatoSi5 – Reflecting on Being Caretakers of our Common Home

With St. Francis of Assisi being the Patron Saint of ecology, the Franciscan Order has produced various documents and study guides. We take our inspiration from our founder who saw the gift of God in all creation and all of humanity. One of these Study Guides is entitled The Cry of the Earth and the Cries of the Poor. After reading it and discussing it with my brothers, there were a few key words which stood out for me. It is with these words that I offer this reflection.


Caretakers – We have been entrusted with this very important role. To be a caretaker is not about hoarding power or robbing others of their dignity. Being a caretaker requires us to be people who see caring not as a weakness or a lesson left in Kindergarten but rather as a way of encountering creation and each other. If I look at life with the eyes of a caretaker that means that I have a sense of connection to you, I value you and what you offer and strive to have us both be at our best.

How are we living as caretakers?

Common Home – Yes, this is our common home for me, my sisters and brothers on every continent and all of creation. Why do we fail to see this? We must see that no one part of the earth is only for the powerful and the rich, no, it is for all of us – this is our only home. Our actions make a difference here and abroad. Just ask those across the ocean who recycle our trash.

How do we remind ourselves of our common home in our daily living?

Peace – I pray for each day in at least little ways with my living. I pray that peace may settle in my heart and may radiate peace to those around me and beyond (the ripple effect). Peace leads to the depth of honesty and vulnerability in relationships. The peace I strive for is not a far-off fantasy but rather a part of what is at my core from which my life is directed. This is an area I must purposefully work on more each day.

How are we working for peace in our hearts and in being peacemakers in our world?

Relationships – Are key to being a caretaker and building up and caring for our common home. Relationship seen as us with creation, us with each other and us with God is a common bond which is essential for living well. We all know that relationships are not easy and take effort. Everyone knows that a relationship without effort is a meaningless one. Relationships speak of interconnectedness and the power of potential which is ignited with each other because of this strength.

How are we building relationships with others and creation?

Being Minor (Least) – This is a common line for us as Franciscans for it is key to how we strive to live. We don’t always do well at this ideal but we offer it over and over again as a way to encounter the fullness of God. I know I need to continually work at being minor. I must be aware that in my privileges that do not rise above another, rather I remain grounded and aware. I must bring myself to the place where I can live and serve as a minor brother-caretaker and rejoice in this.

How do we realize the value that each of us carries a sense of “being minor”?

Responsible – This is a key challenge. I am responsible and must make choices to sustain and find ways to extend the work of being a caretaker. Responsibility is not someone else’s duty, it is mine. Being responsible is not about more duties or tasks. It is about how I live with my resources and what I so offer to build community and care for our common home.

How do we view our responsibility as members of the human family?

In Despair – This phrase stood out for me because it connects back to St. Francis and his conversion moments. When the voice from the cross said to him, “my church is in disrepair” he was called into action. Now our sister Mother Earth is calling out, echoing that same voice St. Francis heard, “I am in disrepair, do you hear my cries?” St. Francis took up the cause and repaired the church and then his transformed life lead to a deeper awareness of God present in creation, humanity and the church. We must be open and willing to hear the call. Mother Earth is calling out, do we hear God’s voice?

How do we move beyond despair and disrepair? Will we be encouraging? Will we repair what we can?

One of the lines from the document that jumped out for me was: “Eucharist as inspiration is an act of cosmic love.” Is that not a rich image to wrap your head around? It speaks of how we as humanity and creation are linked. We are woven into each other and are each other’s advocate, support and voice because God is present in all and is rejoicing in all creation. God too is giving thanks for what has been made as very good. 


The Eucharist calls me to be an offering, to be present, to see in Christ his gift of all and his gift of love. How do my actions express that Christ is at my very core? I not only receive the Body of Christ I become the Body of Christ. How do my actions give voice to life and sacrifice? How do I offer my all and be inspired again and again by the grains and grapes broken and yet together offered? The offering of bread broken and wine poured are a sign of being minor, of surrender, of strength to rise up and be a caretaker.

The Eucharist, which so many of us have not received during this pandemic, is not simply a gift, it is a challenge to live out and live in the demands of being a caretaker for our sister Mother Earth – our common home. Eucharist is not just about receiving Jesus it is about being Jesus in and for our common home – it is about community. 

How do we live as Eucharistic people in all the seasons and trials of our life, not just in the moment of receiving the Eucharist?

Holy Spirit you are the Life which gives life. We pray for your breath to breathe through us and continue to awaken us and inspire us to be responsible, peacemaking caretakers in this time and place. Come Holy Spirit blow through all of creation.

#LaudatoSi5 - Sister Moon

Saint Francis of Assisi saw God in all of creation. His Canticle of Creatures speaks to the relationship we have with all of creation and with each other as sisters and brothers. He called the moon a sister and it was on a May night two years ago this very week that the moon caught my eye as sister. I wrote this poem to honour that full moon and her beauty. The second line of each stanza is a another name for moon. 

When we gaze up at the moon this week and always may we appreciate that we are one human family and be reminded of God's majesty of creation.

LUNA

luna

mona

sister moon

rising out of darkness

luna

purnama

sister moon

declaring there is a way

luna

qamar

sister moon

companion on this journey

luna

zelenia

sister moon

calling us to share our light

luna

raka

sister moon

awareness we are never alone

luna

neoma

sister moon

hope and comfort given

luna

lucine

sister moon

light from the Holy One

for the holy ones

in this valley

luna

Note: Thanks to Simon Moore for a great photo of a full moon - it is not the photo of the moon from that May night.

#LaudatoSi5 - In Gratitude for the Seasons

Over the weekend here in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies we saw beautiful sunshine and bright blue skies, a welcomed spring gift. Today we experienced the start of a few days of rain, another welcomed spring gift. Each season offers so many gifts. 

This poem was written a few years ago as I pondered how each season is unique and yet how they work together to provide for the human family. May we be aware of the gifts of the season and give thanks to God for the gift of the seasons of creation and the seasons of our lives.

In Gratitude for the Seasons

For the growth of spring

For the fullness of summer

For the beauty of autumn

For the creativity of winter

We give you thanks O God. 

For the fullness of spring

For the beauty of summer

For the creativity of autumn

For the growth of winter

We give you thanks O God. 

For the beauty of spring

For the creativity of summer

For the growth of autumn

For the fullness of winter

We give you thanks O God.

For the creativity of spring

For the growth of summer

For the fullness of autumn

For the beauty of winter

We give you thanks O God.

#LaudatoSi5 - Morning Praise

Morning Praise 

Valley air 

freshness lofts in 

and all around, 

hymns of the birds 

lifts my soul, 

sunshine 

gently kisses the day, 

shades of green 

awakening to life 

all lifting 

their praise to God.

A distant barking dog

calling for play,

the cawing rooster 

chimes in too, 

day unfolding gently 

with invitation

the bell tolls 

the day begins. 

I arise 

adding my praise, 

lifting my heart 

to God.

This poem was written while I was on pilgrimage in Italy. It was written at Greccio, a favorite place of St. Francis of Assisi and where he created the first creche scene.

Laudato Si' Action:
Do you have a favorite place in creation? 
Have you given thanks to God for this place?
What are your Morning Praises?

#LaudatoSi5 - Everything is Connected

My post for the weekend spoke about being in the garden, preparing for planting this week. It also spoke about relationship. We often fail to remember our relationship with creation and Mother Earth. This week (May 16-24) is Laudato Si’ Week. It was five years go this week that Pope Francis released his encyclical on the care for our common home. This week is being celebrated in many ways with prayers, online webinars and individuals taking actions they can during this time of pandemic. In fact, this pandemic has hopefully heightened our awareness of relationship and how we are connected to creation. 

Being reminded about the value of Laudato Si’ prompted me again to consider the value of relationships, with each other and all creation. With my weekend post being about gardening and relationship I started thinking about what I could do for this Laudato Si’ Week. Besides planting a garden, being aware of my use of items and recycling, to mark Laudato Si’ Week I will post a poem/prayer or reflection each day this week focused on God’s creation. Let us together as brothers and sisters continue to care for each other and all of creation – this is our common home! It’s the only we one we have! #LaudatoSi5

Everything Is Connected

Our common home 

we are all connected 

each of us and all of creation 

sister and brother. 

We are broken 

there is hurting within us 

yearning for justice 

all people are one. 

Our sister Mother Earth

one of us, yet forgotten 

in need of deep care 

we are united with her. 

Pandemics and wars, 

destruction and greed 

shakes our core truth 

that we are created in love. 

How do we see each other? 

What is our footprint upon earth?

Are we blinded? 

Do we see light? 

We may feel trapped. 

Uncertainty may paralyze us.

Fear may grasp us. 

We must rise above. 

We are interwoven 

creation and humanity.

Do we see our value? 

Together we are one. 

The breath of the Spirit 

present here and now 

blowing through all, 

awakening us. 

Breathe in deeply. 

Be aware. 

Rise up. 

What we do matters. 

We are family. 

Together we are stronger.

Let us do justice, love kindness, 

and walk humbly with our God. (Micah 6.8)

May 17, 2020

Garden Truth

This afternoon in a twist of plans I spent most of it in the garden with one of my Friar Brothers. Together we worked on preparing the garden for planting and prepared some new spaces for plants. We worked together on some projects and on others we worked independently. Even when we worked on the projects independently, we had the common goal of the garden being ready for planting. It was a glorious afternoon to enjoy the sun and the spring weather and to spend time with one of the brothers who has impacted my Franciscan journey the most.

As our day wrapped up, I was mindful of the importance of relationships. The value we place on them and the need we have for them. I greatly value this Franciscan brother of mine. He offers me perspectives I often fail to see. His demeanor is so different from mine that it often triggers an awareness or causes me to ask myself how did I react to that situation. His laughter and his joy are contagious which are reminders that I need to at times let go and at other times laugh more.

Earlier this week he said that “he is more irritable as of late.” I looked at him and said “if this is you irritable than I don’t know what I am.” His irritable is the furthest thing from irritable, he laughs more in a day than most of us do in a week. His drive and focus keep us on our toes and he has this sense of security about him which is rooted in Christ. His statement of being irritable did bring to light that I maybe hold on to things way to long and that I sometimes can lose perspective. 


This thought on being more irritable made me think of two lines from this Sunday’s gospel (John 14.15-21) Jesus said, “The Spirit of truth… you know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.”  The second one is “because I live, you also live…I am in the Father, and you in me, and I in you.” Why those two lines and how does being irritable make a connection you may be asking? 

Simply because these two lines speak of relationship. They speak of the value of relationship and how our lives are entwined in the power of relationships. Jesus tells his disciples that they know the Spirit of truth because he abides with them and is in them. That is personal and intimate. It speaks to how personal our God is with being in relationship with us. It reminds me that no matter what type of day I am having or how I am reacting God is relationship in me. It also reminds me that if the Spirit of truth is abiding in me and I (we) live Christ then I must be aware of what I bring to relationships.

Relationships are about life. Think about any relationship we have. Either it is life giving or life-draining. All I have to do is think of the relationship I have with the Brother I gardened with today and I can see the value of life-giving and honest relationships. Jesus said, “Because I live, you also live.” We encounter the witness and power of Christ through the actions and deeds of others. I don’t live because of the Brother that I gardened with, but I do live better because he witnesses Christ to me and I can appreciate the interwoven beauty of the Divine at work in him, in me and in our community. 

If this pandemic has taught us anything, I hope it has been about our relationships. Who has impacted us? How are we in relationship with others? Who are our neighbours? Who has cared or provided for me during this crisis? Who has cared for the poor, the lonely, the sick, the hungry? Have I made any adjustments to the way I am in relationship with others? What relationship have a seen in the media which has encouraged me and inspired me in my own relationships or what I need to do for others?

Each day we are part of relationships – that is not a newsflash. Some days there are challenges – like seeing the same 8 faces for the last 8 weeks. Some days there are pure moments – the quiet stillness as we are gathered in prayer. Some days there are joy-filled moments – lingering at table together and hearing stories. Some days, well most days there is a combination of all these. It is the great mystery of life and the great mystery of being in relationship. At the end of this gospel discourse Jesus says, “The one who keeps my commandments… I will reveal myself to them.” The commandment of Jesus is to love. To love God and neighbour. This calls us to be in relationship. Where was Christ and where has love been revealed to you this past week? For me it was in the middle of a garden patch.

As this pandemic shifts and we move into new realities and a new normal, as restrictions ease or change let us not forget the importance of relationship and the kindness they need. We are all brother and sister; the world over. Let us not abandon the call to love, rather this week let us pick up the commandment to love with renewed vigor. Where and who needs your attention to strengthen the bonds of relationship and the call to love?

Walk This Way, Truth and Life

I am the way, and the truth, and the life. (John 14.6)

Just breathe that line in, into the depths of your very soul and being.
Just feel it sit there within you.
Just let it stir you, move you and awaken you.

Does it not?
There is so much hope and energy in that one line. 
Isn’t it amazing?
Just breathe it in, deeply… the richness of it.
Does your heart seem to beat differently when you do?
Our God with us in everything.

Can you not see Jesus saying it?
Looking at Thomas with a radiance in his eyes as he makes each of those words pop:

“I
am
the
WAY

AND
the
TRUTH

AND
the 
LIFE.”

Not just part of it, or some of it, or sometimes or most often, no – always this is woven into his eternal promise to us. In other words, I am the one who has been, who is and who will be. I am with now and will be with you in the future (just a few lines earlier Jesus says, “In my Father’s house there are many rooms… I go to prepare a place for you”). 

Do these words pop for us in our lives?

Are our hearts stirred-moved-shocked that the One who is love says to us, 
“I am! I am for you, with you and in you!”?
If not, we must ask ourselves why they do not?

What is Jesus in telling us that he is “the way, the truth and the life” awakening in our story – our ways, our truths and our life? These are sometimes hard realities to face, but worth pondering.

The certainty is that this way, truth and life is written into our hearts, into the very fabric of our life line; our DNA. We can deny it and even profane it but our very lives are woven into the very One who is the way, the truth and the life.

The way – a path of moving forward, an open gate, a new beginning, a honesty, a tried and true pattern, a steady step, a consistency – often full of twists and turns, sometimes great lows and other times breath-taking highs but always with “hope in God’s steadfast love” (Psalm 33). 

The truth – our core, depth, power – not as in gaining more but rather in emptying ourselves, surrendering ourselves to trust that God is at work in us. The value of truth is that it is good and holy and amazing (Psalm 139 is one example of attesting to this). 

The life – the Risen One breathing in and through us, our God-given gifts activated for love in the journey of our lifetime as a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people” (1 Peter 2.9). 

Is it easy?
No way! We all know that!
Is it worth it?
You bet! We can count on that!
Is it life-changing?
For sure! If we let it!

As we slowly step into new realities, unexpected changes and unknown new living conditions let us not forget that the way awakens us to love, the truth calls us to be love and the life is an expression of the depths of love. 

Which is the way you are going to live? 
Which truth will you allow to saturate your living? 
How will your life be a testament to love in action?

A lot of questions to ponder, yes, but let us not grow weary. Each day is another encounter of the way, the truth and the life. And that is amazing! 

On this Mother’s Day I simply want to say thank you to my Mom for showing me, teaching me, encouraging me and supporting me to continually journey with the Way, the Truth and the Life. Besides the life you have given me this is the greatest gift. Thank you! 

Happy Mother’s Day to all Moms!

John 10:10

John 10:10

Maybe not as familiar as John 3:16. I don’t think I’ve ever seen John 10:10 posters at any sports events, concerts or wrestling matches. Yet John 10:10 is a powerful line of scripture and dovetails nicely with John 3.16: “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

God with us! God not watching us from are afar. God here and now, the God of life.

What is John 10:10?

"I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

There it is – the love of God, the life of Christ and the working of the Holy Spirit – the fulfillment of God’s all encompassing, embracing promise for people and creation – LIFE! Everlasting life!

Life – abundant life! And we are offered that each and every day. No, we are not offered that we are gifted that each and every single day. We the people of the resurrection, we have life post the cross and the empty tomb and it is abundant and everlasting.

I can hear some of you right now… Really? Abundant? Right now? As I am locked up in my house going on week 8 or 9? As I can’t go see my friends or do what I want to do? As I watch with sadness the way this pandemic has gripped the world and wonder if it has impacted our humanity in any way?

Yup I have those questions too. But really the answer is Yes! Each of us whether whispered or shouted the answer is yes, we have life in abundance. Through out these past weeks of social distancing and isolation the true roots of life have taken root, the buds of new life have sprouted and the garden gate has again been flung open for us. However, it is only if I stop and look bigger, wider, within and without that I can see the abundance of life now and not get lost in the what can seem like a narrow vision of a vast pandemic. How we choose to express this life and its abundance all depends on which gate we are standing at.

In the gospel of John, the same chapter 10, Jesus says “I am the gate.” I believe that we open many gates in our journey. Some good, some not so good, but ultimately, we are led to this one true gate. So which gate are we standing at?

Are we standing at the gate of self-pity because I CAN’T get what I WANT right now?
Are we standing at the gate of ‘oh those poor people so sad for them”?
Are we standing at the gate of WHEN will I GET my life back?

Or are we standing at the gate of Jesus? 
The gate which is THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE.

The gate which is opening us up to self-reflection, depths beyond our wants, stirring our hearts to a fullness of life we have been filling with illusions.

The gate which opens our hearts up not to simply see our neighbours, or those locked in isolation, or the poor, or even our front line workers but to actually connect with them at this gate which is solidarity, appreciation, support, mercy and the concrete actions of life-giving ways of every persons worth. Worth simply because we belong to God not because of what we do, can’t do, what we become or fail to become, how we survive or thrive through this time.

The gate which is always open is never about getting our life back, why stay in an empty tomb? It is always about us stepping more aware and confident into the abundant life which is ours.

This gate is open to us but tells us that abundant life is not selfish or hoarding, rather it is giving, emptying, freeing and everlasting. Isn’t that the gate to stand at? Even if it means letting go, going deeper, leaving the surface illusions or the tough double bottled locks we seal? Is this not the gate of the empty tomb and new life?

Life is indeed a grand adventure, an unknown discovery, and beautiful mystery. One with twists and turns, rises and falls, doors and gates and windows and each day we are gifted with an abundance of it. 24 hours gifted to us. Which gates do you need to close? Which gates are luring you away from life? Which gates have led you closer to the Gate of Gates?  Which gate are you walking through today?

Life in abundance today, tomorrow, 

now, then, yesterday, forever.

The gate is open…