Words of Wisdom

November 1 – All Saints Day – as you know one of my most favorite days of the year. If I could do it up like Christmas or Easter I would. I guess in the past I have (memories of Saints Suppers and school celebrations and Masses flood my mind every year) however now as a student Friar, the celebration of the day is simple but I still try and add a bit of gusto where I can (and believe me there are ways!). This day reminds us of our call to holiness, our call to radiate Christ, our call to be humble servants continually showing forth the love of God.

As St. Bernard, the Abbot said:

Calling the Saints to mind inspires, or rather arouses in us above all else, a longing to enjoy their company. When we commemorate the Saints we are inflamed with another yearning: that Christ our life may also appear to us.

His words are a beautiful description and challenge of why we celebrate All Saints and All Souls Day; why we call to mind the Saints of the Church, and those known to us, why we remember our deceased relatives and friends and why we open ourselves to walk in the hope of Christ.

This past Sunday the Old Testament reading was from the Book of Wisdom. I was struck by the selected verses. Even though I have heard them before, this time they leapt off the page. I beleive they are gift for us striving to be Saints each day, in hundreds of situations and in all types of encounters.

Wisdom 11.22-12-2 says:

The whole world before you is like a speck that tips the scales,

and like a drop of morning dew that falls on the ground.

But you are merciful to all, for you can do all things,

and you overlook people’s sins, so that they may repent.

Lord, you love all things that exist,

and detest none of the things that you have made,

for you would not have made anything if you had hated it.

How would anything have endured if you had not willed it?

Or how would anything not called forth by you have been preserved?

You spare all things, for they are yours, O Lord, you who love the living.

For your immortal spirit is in all things.

Therefore you correct little by little those who trespass,

and you remind and warn them of the things through which they sin,

so that they may be freed from wickedness and put their trust in you, O Lord.

The italicized phrases are the ones that seemed to jump off the page a bit more and into my heart.

The beautiful reminder that all is God’s – everything – all of creation and we are part of that gift, called to cultivate a culture of life and love and mercy.

The gift of God’s deep mercy, forgiveness and God’s love being greater than our weakness. Intrinsically woven into our DNA, our very fiber and all of creation. We can never tire of this gift. I know I am grateful for it each day.

The freedom that is ours in being a Child of God, a living Saint and the only requirement is to trust in God. Not always easy but always present to us. The more I come to grasp trusting in God the more I come to see how God tips the scales of his abundant love for us each day.

So yes… let us embrace being a Saint today in our world and let the words of St. Bernard and the Book of Wisdom strength our inherent holiness which is of God.

Together let us sing the Resurrection Song with all the Saints in Glory!

All Holy Men, Women, Teens & Children, pray for us!

Nothing More, Nothing Less

St. Francis is credited with saying “I am what I am before God. Nothing else. Nothing more. Nothing less.” And he adds, “Have mercy on me a sinner.”

This quote was shared by one of my brothers this weekend in his homily. It is a beautiful illustration of today’s Gospel (Luke 18.9-14) about the Pharisee praying and saying all the good he does and claiming that at least he is not like those other people. One of those other people is a tax collector who is downcast and beating his breast asking for God’s mercy.

The tax collector and St. Francis accurately expressed a truth… we are only ourselves and no one else before God. This is beautiful and rewarding and challenging and calls us to claim the truth of who we are downsides and good sides, but no matter what wrapped in God’s mercy and endless love. God raises us up with mercy and love and we more confidently stand before God as redeemed sinners, with the promise of eternal life.

 “Who am I?’ I ask. And God creates a space in me that allows me trust and shows me my true and authentic self.

“How do I put You first?” I ask. And God guides me in ways great and small that are revealing, everlasting and hopeful.

“How do I be authentic?” I ask. And God says, “By focusing on Me and My love and knowing that every good gifts comes from Me.”

“What do You want me to be?” I ask. And God says, “Yourself – fully alive, awakened in Christ, serving the world and choosing to radiate Christ.”

“What do you want done?” I ask. And  God says, “My will: lived through you, driven out of love for Me, utilizing who you are created to be - a disciple of Christ and an instrument of peace and love.”

“Amen,” I say. And God says… “I am with you always.”

So, Yes I am reminded that I am nothing more and nothing less than who I am before You, my God and that is beautiful and holy and good. With confidence I can pray, “Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me a sinner, for I place all my hope in you.”

And God says again... "I am with you always!"

Path to Holiness

 

In this my second year of being a Simply Professed Friar, I have been given permission to seek out more opportunities for ministry. With my background in parish ministry I have come to realize that ministry (and ministering with others) is a big part of my story and a way in which I experience Christ in a personal, communal and significant way.

As I continue to explore options for what future ministry may include I am currently involved in two ministries that are very different but both are calling me to share my skills, talents and experience.

The first is that of being on Student Council at Newman. I am part of the executive which is made up of laity (both men and women), religious and seminarians. This diverse group of people in different programs and in different years of schooling come together to be the voice for the students and provide activities and opportunities for the student body.  My role is that of Social Vice-President. I am responsible for planning and coordinating social activities on campus. Our aim this year is to build community - so in simple ways we are trying to do that by planning luncheons, coffee breaks, seasonal gatherings and a speaker series. This role is indeed calling to use my planning and communication skills, is challenging me to work through obstacles and to enjoy the opportunity to minister with all types of good people desiring to share their gifts.

The second area of ministry is with the Secular Franciscans. This is not a club it is an order of men and women who form part of the Franciscan family. After a period of formation they make their profession to live the gospel following the example of St. Francis and live by a rule of life. Very similar to us as Franciscans. The biggest difference is that they live out their profession/vows continuing to live with their families and working regular jobs. The term Secular indicates just that that they live in the world, where as a Religious Franciscan I live in community.

My role with this Secular Franciscan Fraternity is that of Spiritual Advisor. I have just begun to journey with them and it has already been a blessing. I have the opportunity to meet with their council and with the whole fraternity where we pray together, discuss our way of life, look to St. Francis for guiding us closer to Christ and we plan activities/events to foster our faith journey in living out the gospel. It is a diverse group, both men and women of vary ages who embrace their faith. I am enjoying getting to know them and their journeys.

One of the topics we were discussing at a recent meeting was formation. The formation director stated that formation and living as a Secular Franciscan is our path to holiness. That is a powerful point to consider for all of us. I know it enflamed my heart and got me thinking about how I embrace the gospel, how I live it out and how I radiate Christ. Lots to reflect on...

 

All of our lives our paths to holiness, however we must continually stop along the way to be fueled up, nourished, rest and do maintenance. Our path to holiness can be busy and full and sometimes distracting – yes even with good things, it is the fueling up, nourishment, rest and maintenance that allows for living out the gospel way of life empowered and nurtured. The path to holiness is not a race! (I need to remind myself of that often.) It is like a long car trip, it takes preparation and all the above mentioned care functions. It takes time, it can be bumpy at times, we can even break down or have to take a detour to get to our destination, no matter how the journey goes we have to remember we do not journey along, heck… maybe we shouldn’t even be driving… as the song says… Jesus take the wheel. Jesus himself is the path to holiness.

So yes, the path to holiness… a blessed journey, a rich journey, a life-long journey and just consider the final destination – it is too good to pass up. I pray that each of us will continue to embrace the path.

I humbly ask for your prayers for the Newman College Student Association and the Saints Louis & Zelie Martin Secular Franciscan Fraternity for their journeys on the path to holiness.

Blessings to you on your own path to holiness.

The Blessing of St. Francis

The Lord bless you and keep you,

Show his face to you and have mercy on you,

Turn his face towards you and give you peace.

The Lord bless you.

 

This is the ancient prayer from the Old Testament in which St. Francis gave his blessings to his brothers.

As we enter into the Transitus (October 3) and Feast Day (October 4) of our beloved St. Francis this same prayer is still echoed among the Friars and one we extend to our neighbors, families, friends, benefactors and even strangers.

God’s ways are rich and abundant, may we continually grow in awareness of how blessed we are.

God’s care and compassion are also rich and abundant, may we truly know we are kept close to God’s heart.

Each day God manifests God self in ways great and small, may we be open to seeing God’s face in our everyday.

Each day God pours forth what we need for God is love, may we embrace the gift of great mercy.

Blessed, Transformed, Renewed – these are the gifts of God turning God’s face toward us.

Blessed, Transformed, Renewed – these are the gifts of God giving us peace.

God indeed blesses each one of us, today and always. Let us count our blessings so we may in turn be a blessing to those around us.

On this Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, we pray that we may be agents of blessing, transformation and renewal just as Francis was in his time and place. We are all called to live the gospel as our way of life. Some of us chose to live it in a radical way (religious life, priesthood), others chose to live it in another form of radical (married life or single). Mo matter how we live the gospel, we can be assured that God walks with us, call us to life and equips us to live out our call.

As Saint Francis once said: “May I feel in my heart, as far as possible, that abundance of love with which you, Son of God, were inflamed.”

Yes, this is our call to live the gospel. Yes, this is the blessing of God! Yes, may our lives be inflamed today and every day in big and small ways. Yes, Lord Jesus you are the way, the truth and the life!

St. Francis… pray for us…

continue to guide us to Christ.

Happy Feast Day to All!

 

Outstanding Supporting Role

For a certain amount of my teenage years I loved watching awards shows. I don’t think I missed too many from the Junos to the Grammys from the Emmys to the Oscars. You name it I watched - and all of it - from beginning to end. Doing homework at commercials, giving play by plays to my family – who didn’t care at all. I’m not sure why I liked watching them; maybe it was how grand they were, maybe it was the actors getting a chance to be real or maybe it was the pageantry of it all. Let’s be honest it wasn’t the most productive use of time or even the most satisfying thing to do. I am happy that I have moved beyond needing to watch people get awards, there is so much more to do, embrace and celebrate in life.

 

However, what got me thinking about watching awards shows was this last week of September and the Saints we celebrate. It is like the Category for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, there are so many outstanding Saints packed into this one week. It is a blessing as we move into fall days, to have so many witnesses of light and life. Each of these Saints playing a supporting role in the mission of Christ and the Church. The best part about the Saints is that they don’t look for awards or acknowledgment, they simply point to Christ as their lead and work for the glory of God.

 

The nominees for Outstanding Supporting Saint in a Drama Series (which is life) are:

Saints Jean de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues & companions – Canadian Martyrs –

priests and laymen, missionaries – September 26

 

Saints Cosmas & Damian – Brotherly Support –

physicians, miracles – September 26

 

Saint Vincent de Paul – Man of Charity –

generosity, visionary – September 27

 

Saint Wenceslaus – Defender of the Faith –

witness, ruler – September 28

 

Saint Lorenzo Ruiz and companions – First Filipino Saint -

husband, father, missionary – September 28

 

Saints Michael, Gabriel & Raphael – Heavenly Light –

Archangels, protectors, messengers – September 29

 

Saint Jerome – Doctor of the Church –

translator, biblical scholar – September 30

 

 

And the winner is:

Us! We the Church are the winners, in that we have these incredible and selfless witnesses to inspire our faith journey. What a gift we have to true role models, real people (well except for the angels) who faced struggles with their families, society, the Church, their characteristics, and their journey; but still chose to persevere and remained focused on Christ.

It truly is a win-win situation for them and for us! And to think this is just this week, there are other weeks in the year that are brim full with women Saints and children Saints who our outstanding in the their supportive role!

 

God of All Life,

In your wisdom you choose men, women and children

that serve as great supports for us in our journey,

both those recognized as Saints and those known only to us.

Thank you for this gift and for these people.

May we continue to take our place

in the outstanding supportive role

in doing our part to build Your Kingdom.

Amen.

 

Holy Saints… pray for us!

Overwhelmed

Sometimes life is so overwhelming is it not?

And overwhelming can come in so many forms…

There is being overwhelmed with responsibilities, assignments and project goals.

There is being overwhelmed by news of sickness, loss of life or tragedy.

There is being overwhelmed by the beauty of creation, the melody of song, 

the intrigue of art.

There is being overwhelmed with the love of friends & family, moments of quiet, 

awareness of life.

September is sometimes an overwhelming month, with new demands and new routines connected to the school year starting, moving, harvesting, community involvements and sometimes even career changes. I am very mindful of that as we have just passed by the mid-way of this month. The last few weeks have been overwhelming with events, school assignments, long term planning, immediate demands and hearing of news (both personal, family and world) that tug at my heart strings. Being mindful of this I work hard not to get caught up in or stay stuck in the overwhelming rather to focus on gifts and blessings. This sometimes takes a genuine STOP moment just to be in touch with all that overwhelms me in a good way (note the last two overwhelm points above) and all that I have to be grateful for. A STOP moment is a song listened to, a quiet prayer at start of day, a photo, a phone call just to say 'hi', a walk, a stop and stare at autumn beauty, a coffee with a friend... these STOP moments are always recaptured at end of the day with my brief journal of gratitude, joy and Christ findings.

As September continues to unfold and I continue to find a good pace, a God pace...

In those times I feel helpless or uncertain…

I trust in the promise that all things are possible with God.

In the moments when the stack of to do is way too tall…

I trust in the strength that is promised to me in the resurrection.

In the moments that I feel overwhelmed by sadness or hurt…

I trust in the hope that is Christ planted deep with me.

In the times I am overwhelmed by God’s amazing love…

I trust that the blessings God pours into my life sustains me.

God of Everything,

I know you are with me always,

Thank you.

When I feel overwhelmed

remind me that you are indeed with me. (I need those reminders God!)

Your goodness, love and mercy is always abundant,

know that my gratitude overflows more than anything that overwhelms me. 

(I need to remember that!)

Amen.

Friends... let us continue to pray for each other, our families, our communities and our world... let prayer overwhelm all that overwhelms us... God is always in the mix.

Face to the Sun

As autumn begins to take its rightful place

I find we turn our faces to the sun - 

maybe it is knowing of coming winter days,

maybe it is appreciating the warmth more in crisp air,

maybe it is the way it catches the fall colors.

Regardless, of the reasons why we turn our faces,

we do so to embrace the light - 

as we turn our gaze to the sun

it serves as a gentle reminder 

to walk in the light of the Son,

today, this season and always.

This simple poem/reflection formed today as I went for a walk. I was thinking about the school year which as of today has officially begun, I was thinking of routines, I was thinking of things I want to work on and I was thinking about the season of fall that is very quickly making its mark. 

The idea of turning my face to the sun, was more than and idea, I was actually doing it naturally, I was holding my head up high and letting the rays cast its warmth across my face. There was a peacefulness in it, maybe a calm before the storm, or the reminder to stay in the light even on the days that feel like big storms or maybe it was a simple reminder from Christ saying: "I am with you always until the end of time." I am so thankful for that moment, as the childhood song says, "let the sun shine in face it with a grin." Indeed I did just that!

So as school begins to take shape, community, school and work commitments begin to anchor themselves into our schedules, as we continue to seek balance; may we continue to focus on the light. The true Light which never sets, which calls us to life, encourages us to be positive and reminds us that is casts the shadows behind us - leaving them in the past so as not to hinder our steps into the light.

Here is to autumn days filled with sunshine, days focused on the Light of the world and the courage to walk boldly (and if we need to gently) into this glorious Light!