Enticed by the Flame

"If I say, I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name, then within me there is something like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I am weary with holding it in, and I can not."
                                                                                - Jeremiah 20.9

This line really stuck me and stood out for me this weekend. I think this burning fire is something that continues to burn within me and desires to burst forth at times and at other times simmer more to take in its power. I come to understand more how it is possible not to contain it for it fills my body and soul. It penetrates me, continually enticing me more and more to the source of whom I belong to and how immense and full and intense that love is.

How can I not speak of the Lord?
                                            Look at all the blessings.
How can I not have the Lord come through in my words and actions?
                                                                                           Look at how present God is.

I profess to be a follower of Christ. At times I stumble along the path, at other times my sinfulness traps me and at other times I am lured by the world but still in my weakness, my body and soul yearn for God and I am continually drawn back by God's love, mercy and goodness.

God's love, mercy and goodness is the burning fire that is shut up in my bones, it is the strength of my bones, it is the flow of my blood. These riches consume me and fan the flame and cause it to burst forth and propel me to serve, to grow deeper in love, to claim my faith, to proclaim the Good News in this day, to be a positive voice, person of love in action and to trust that God is at work in me. This adds fuel to the fire - if you will - so that I may be a voice that proclaims God, a life that is wrapped in God's love and a Child of God that can not contain how good God is always. That simply amazes me that I, that you, that each of us are these vessels that hold the flame of God and God's love within and yet can not contain it.

You indeed entice me O God,
and that is beautiful.
It is again the gift of knowing
you are ever at my side
and that I am precious in your sight.
Continue to do something new in me,
as the fire of your love is fanned
and strengthened in my life.
Amen.

How do you share the burning fire?
This week let us not hold it in, let us be bearers of light - God's love.

Strive

In my reflection last week on renewing my vows I used the word strive. This word struck a cord with me as I spent time in reflection and with a few other people since I posted my reflection. I have continued to ponder what it means to me.

The dictionary definition of strive is:

       make great efforts to achieve or obtain something.

  

       or

       struggle or fight vigorously

The dictionary definition lends to my pondering and thoughts. As I consider what it means to strive, it is a word that I want to bring some depth to in the months ahead. I find it a powerful word, one of action, one of hope, a positive word, a word that says 'I am open, I am working at being present, being real, aware, awakened to God's goodness in creation, in others and in myself.'

Strive says I am willing and the path and journey with others.

Strive means continuing on with effort and vitality in the good, the trials, the dull and in the new.

Strive is awareness of what I offer, my blessings and the gifts of others.

Strive is keeping focused on Christ in the everyday, in the interactions with life and others.

Strive is exciting; not like a new toy or gift, but a depth, a sustenance, a God rooted energy that calls me to life, to see with new eyes, to be who I am and to know that God is at work always.


The morning of the day I renewed my vows the following verse was sung at Morning Prayer:

Make us servants of your peace,
renew our strength, remove all fear,
be with us, Lord, throughout this day,
for all is joy, when you are near.

There is an honesty in this verse, a desire, to me it speaks of striving.

We continually strive to be God's servant; which is a gift and blessing. This gift and blessing is not always easy but one with rewards beyond knowing. It is a challenge to be messengers of hope, joy and peace. God's peace is part of God's strength which then empowers us to be peace, for it is rooted in God.

We strive to plant deep within us that God is our strength and only God can continually renew our strength. God calls us to ways to renew our strength whether that is times of prayer or retreat, a walk, insights, support, kindness shown or rest. God is our strength beyond strength and when we remember that and embrace that our fears subside. Our fears disappear when we focus on God.

We strive to remember that God is always with us in each moment. In trials and joys, in hurts and blessings God is with us. God desires nothing more than to be with us and for us to be with God. When it is hard to remember that God is present here, may God clear our minds and bring us surety and strength to know that we are never abandoned by God.

We strive to embrace that God is pure joy, the fullness of joy, the depth of joy that resides in the depths of our heart and calls us to radiate joy into the world. God's joy illumines our own joy and calls us to share joy. May we be joy-bearers in the name of Jesus, to be witnesses of the Good News and strive always to bring more joy into the world.

God of Life, Brother Jesus, Holy Spirit
you are my all,
I strive to be your servant,
filled with peace, strength and joy
and to radiate you into the world
for I know you are always at my side.
Amen. 

So yes I will strive to be the person I am created to be as a child of God and the brother that St. Francis calls me to embrace on this journey.

Here is to the gift, blessing, challenge and the desire to strive.

 

I Do...Again.

In a matter of a few hours I will renew my vows for the second time and mostly like for the last time in Christ the King Province as the unification of the two Canadian Provinces is becoming an even greater reality over the next few months. As I ponder my vows again I don't hesitate in renewing them, even in the chaos of this week, even with the moments of fraternal frustration, even with a tired body from summer adventure and even with a restlessness that I can't quite put my finger on I still am ready and willing to renew my vows.

I renew my vows this year with a greater desire and hope to discover St. Francis even more and come to appreciate my brothers, whom I love, even more.

I renew with the hope of a Province united that will only empower and enrich the Canadian Church.

I renew with the hope that the restlessness that I know if met with clarity as I deepen my commitment to Christ and this Franciscan way of life.

I renew with the desire to be a brother filled with even more joy, courage and drive.

I renew with the deepening awareness of God's will at work not my own or anyone else.

I come to my vows trusting that Mary our Blessed Mother wraps her mantle around me and that the holy saints are walking with and that dear Sister Clare and dear Brother Francis continue to shine their light on my path... this path that I echoes with the psalms... "my heart is ready Lord, my heart is ready."

I strive to live my vows this next year as a lesser brother with honesty, integrity, and openness.

I strive to let the Gospel infuse my life even more and be even more my way of life; hearing the words of Christ as my daily mantra and truly making them my mission statement.

I strive to live in the obedience the gospel calls me to and that which my Province dialogues with me.

I strive to live with nothing of my own, embracing Franciscan Poverty to the depths of solidarity and how I use power.

I strive to live in chastity, professing a chaste love for all of God's creation; being welcoming, open and a witness and agent to God's love at work.

Some of my Brothers

This I know will take effort and work and revitalization on my part, as I seek God's will I simple say may the Lord continue to inspire me in my Franciscan living. I place my trust in the Lord and I remember that St. Francis challenges me to be fraternal, to serve, and to continue to build the kingdom, for as he said: "up until now we have done very little/nothing."

God of Peace, God of Joy, God of all Good I trust in You as I renew my vows.
Thank you for your amazing and endless love. Amen.

To you who read this blog I humbly ask your prayers for the Franciscans in Canada and for myself.

Tents Hikes Prayer Pilgrimage

As summer time lingers on my daily routines are again slowly taking their ‘regular’ shape which over summer often looks different. It is time for some reflection on what has been a summer of busy adventure, new discoveries and rich blessings.

There is lots to reflect on and share about this summer. From the gift of reunions with loved ones, to celebrations, to quiet moments, to discovering an interesting history, to understanding more the need for compassionate listening, to learning to tenting, to hiking and to this great nation there is much to be thankful for and celebrate. I will share just a few highlights.

 

 

 

The gift of spending time with good people is one that I will never take for granted. It is such a rich blessing in my life and one that nourishes me. I am ever grateful for long lunches, quick visits, hugs, patio parties, late nights, early mornings, walk and talks, sunroom relaxing, garden walks, banana song singing, a good beer, road trips, the kindness of friends and family gatherings that make my hectic summer so truly wonderful and blessed.

 

  

One of the biggest adventures of this summer was the Franciscan pilgrimage that 13 of us Friars from Canada journey together in Quebec. We spent one week together “On the Footsteps of the Récollets” exploring our roots in Canada and how our early brothers continue to challenge us today. We covered several hundred kilometers a day (mostly along the St. Lawrence from Trois Rivieres to Gaspe to Quebec City)  traveling in 3 vehicles, we tented for the week, we prayed together, ate simple meals (most of the time) and explored beautiful Canadian landscape, history and moments in time that have impacted the Franciscan presence in Canada. It truly was a blessed time.

 

 

 

The Récollets is the name of the early Franciscans that came to Canada. They were missionaries that came to Canada with Champlain in 1615. The history is a rich one of missionary work, firsts for Canada, working with aboriginal peoples, creating long standing establishments and even be sent back to Europe but returning to serve. Their missionary hearts and love of the gospel did not ever grow faint as they truly were focused on the Good News and serving their neighbour. We read or heard amazing and inspiring story after story. We stood in buildings that were theirs, we prayed on land that they would have walked, we pondered their courage, strength and dedication.

 

It was a gift indeed to spend time with 12 of my brothers from across Canada and enjoy this very unique fraternal time. It was a gift indeed to reflect on our Franciscan roots in Canada. It was a gift indeed to share this experience in prayer, conversation, and reflection and let it inspire us as Friars for today. I am so grateful for the pilgrimage and for being introduced to my Friar Brothers from centuries ago that speak to me today about my journey and dream as a young Friar.

 

 

There is still so much more to unpack about the pilgrimage which I hope to do so over the next few weeks. As for now we are on our annual retreat this week and I look forward to some great input from our Retreat Leader and some quiet time for reflection and prayer. I humbly ask for your prayers for the Friars and for me as I renew my vows again for another year.

Continued summer blessings.

 

Summer Time Litany

Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt God forever!

Reunions and quick visits… praise the Lord.

Long chats into the night and early morning coffee… praise the Lord.
Parades and community festivals… praise the Lord.
Pilgrimages and praznyks… praise the Lord.

Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt God forever!

Watermelon and blueberries… praise the Lord.

BBQ’s and potato salad… praise the Lord.
Pancakes and orange juice… praise the Lord.
Garden grown vegetables and saskatoons… praise the Lord.  

Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt God forever!

Quiet moments and loud celebrations… praise the Lord.

Lakes and city squares… praise the Lord.
Ordinations and weddings… praise the Lord.
Campfires and gazeboes… praise the Lord.

Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt God forever!

Time to reflect and prayer… praise the Lord.

Projects completed and fresh ideas… praise the Lord.
Long walks and morning runs… praise the Lord.
Community gathered in prayer and cemetery visits… praise the Lord.

Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt God forever!

Sunshine and rain storms… praise the Lord.

Flowers in abundance and weeds too… praise the Lord.
Singing birds and hooting owls… praise the Lord.
Playful puppies and galloping horses… praise the Lord.

Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt God forever!

Cool breezes and air conditioning... praise the Lord.
Big skies and amazing sunsets... praise the Lord.
Ice cream cones and peaches... praise the Lord.
Cold water and slush... praise the Lord.

Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt God forever!

 

Catching up with friends and home hugs… praise the Lord.

Meeting new people and handshakes… praise the Lord.
Safe travels and no place to go… praise the Lord.
Summer, yes summer; the goodness of summer… praise the Lord.

Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt God forever!

 

Continued blessings on your summer!

 

The Best of Summer Time

Summer time is here and what a gift and blessing that is. As we enter into these holy and sacred months the gift and the challenge is to continue to deepen our relationship with Christ. We are called to place our trust in God and be open to the Holy Spirit prompting us to new life (like the gardens growing and producing an abundance of new life in their bounty for us to enjoy). Over summer I work at embracing this gift and challenge of deepening my relationship, trusting and being open. To do so I try to spend time in quiet, embrace the adventures that summer will offer and in the new encounters and experiences that fill my summer schedule to simply stop and be and see how my God has come to meet me. To do so I’m going to use some advice I found in a reflection book this spring: 

“Invest our best… and let the Lord do the rest!”

– Little White Book.

This is good advice always but also a great way to approach summer adventures, summer quiet, summer work, summer prayer, summer gatherings and summer routines.

Yes Lord… I offer you my best… not what is left… but my best…

Lord…

work through us
may we not focus on ourselves
rather radiate you and your love.

Lord…
continue to create us anew
into a masterpiece
that is a reflection of you.

Lord…
when our mistakes are many
your mercy and love are greater
your light is our guide and way.

Lord…
work through us,
when we don’t feel we are able
when we get caught up in the journey instead of you.

Lord…
you are my all… my life-force
you I desire… you I desire to embrace
you are my life… fullness is in you.

Amen.

Over the next several weeks, my postings will be irregular to allow for some of this summer time best to take its hold on me.

I’m often asked about my Franciscan journey, so as we head into summer I provide this as a brief update:

I have completed my second of three years of school working towards my degree. I will continue in the fall with both familiar and new classmates and will continue my role on student council. This past year saw a wide variety of classes and the challenges that come with a mid-way point in a degree program – motivation sometimes needs a jolt! Being a part of student council was a rewarding part of my year as we continued to work at forming a good school community.

I continue to serve as the Spiritual Assistant to the Saints Louis & Zellie Martin Fraternity of Secular Franciscans. In mid-June Br. Ben and I presented a one day retreat for Secular Franciscans from across the province – it was a good day.

The routine of our days continues to be my pattern. Prayer in the morning and evening as a community, my own time for prayer, exercise, projects and various little ministries such as presentations, assisting a brother and so on make up this pattern along with my school schedule. Over summer this pattern shifts a little with Friars and guests coming and going but still in the movement around prayer and maybe even more time for self-reflection.

One of our brothers will be ordained a priest on July 15, a celebration we are very excited about with Friars, guests and his family coming to celebrate. I ask that you please keep Br. Joe in your prayers.

Summer will see me doing a bit of travel near and far… from day trips around here, to back home and then into Quebec for a Friars pilgrimage week and time with my Novitiate classmate.  At the end of summer I will attend our annual Friars Retreat and renew my vows for the second time moving into my third year as a simply professed Friar. It will be full and full of blessings. It will be nourishing and recharging as I work at investing my best, trusting in God, deepening my relationship with Christ and opening myself up to the Holy Spirit.

Many Blessings to you this summer, may the best of you intersect with the best of summer and in that intersection may you encounter our loving Father-God, his life-giving Son and the gift of the Holy Spirit who always give their best to us – their beloved.

Know of my prayers... watch for random posts... and here is to the

Best Happy Summer!

Why I Celebrate Canada Day and Why I Celebrate Canada 150

Canada Day is near and over the past few weeks there has been increased advertising, stories and headlines about the day and the celebrations this year to mark 150 years of confederation. Some have been positive and inspiring, others have been filled with hurt, others have been hateful and still others have left me wondering about how we really see the gift that is our nation. This has had me pondering why I celebrate Canada Day each year (and really any opportunity I can) and why this year I have and will continue to Canada 150. 

Canada is not perfect, we have our struggles and issues. We have not always been fair to each other or have listened to each other, we have not always shown respect to each other or to the land, we have not necessarily learned from our mistakes and sometimes have been caught up in unnecessarily regrettable and poor choices, but still this country is home, it is my home, it is our home. Since it is home we have to take care of it, we are part of an ongoing dialogue that contributes to either good or bad, life or death. We have the freedom to choose and if we truly care about Canada (the country, the land and the people) the choice becomes easy.

Canada comes from the Huron-Iroquois word meaning “village”. How powerful that is when we consider the age old adage: “it takes a village to raise a child.” When we consider our nation as a village it gives a deeper sense of respect and value for each member from the leader to the weakest, from the determined to the struggling, from the humbled to the proud, from the child in the womb to the elder... we are a village. Tom Jackson, the Canadian born Métis actor, recently said “Canada is a diverse country, but color goes away in family.” How true and what a great challenge for us as we step foot out of our homes into our village and a reason to celebrate.

Canada is the only village I and so many others know as home, it is where I took my first steps and where I hope to take my last. I know that this does not make the land my own, there have been peoples who have tread this land, breathed this air and drank of this water hundreds and thousands of years before I ever did. It is in the strength and determination and care and awareness of these people that this land has become what we call Canada. A place to call home and a place to celebrate.

Canada is also the village that welcomes people from all over the world, with diverse backgrounds and ways of life. It is safe haven for those fleeing war and it is a new start for so many who cannot survive elsewhere. Yet we still have work to do, as fellow Canadians do not have fresh drinking water or proper shelter and this is where we must reflect on the strength, determination and wisdom of those who were here before 1867. Those whose ancestors knew this land long before any settler stepped foot onto it and were the first to welcome the foreigner and show them the way. Some of these meetings may have resulted in the guest being greedy at times and at other times may have resulted in tensions that broke down the “peaceable kingdom” but we must learn from this and move forward as one family. We must also consider the hard work and hope of not only First Nations people but also the pioneers who came to Canada to begin a new and create a home… I truly believe home is the key or root word that binds us in a love of this land no matter who we are or our background. Another reason to celebrate.

Canada is a land of amazing beauty that captivates all our senses. Our national motto is “from sea to sea” and how this rings true of the diversity of not just the people but of this great land from seas and lakes and rivers to mountains and hills and valleys, from the prairies to the forests, from the cold of winter to the heat of summer, from creatures great to creatures small, from brilliant skies of the day to the amazing skies of the night… all of this is what makes our village, our nation so astounding. It calls out to us to touch it with respect and to heal it where it is hurting. It calls out to us to preserve for those who will celebrate Canada 250 and those who will come here to visit and be in awe. It calls out to us to remember that she – our Mother Earth- was here long before any of us started dividing her up and calling her ours. The beauty of Canada is inspiring and life-giving and that is a reason to celebrate.

I come from Saskatchewan and our provincial motto is “from many people strengths.” This motto combined with our national motto of “from sea to sea” is the greatest reason I celebrate Canada 150 and Canada Day. The strength of many people united means we work together and work hard for each other. It means we show respect to the land which provides and for each other – no matter what walk of life we come from. It means we remember our heritage as a people, as a nation, as a community, as a family and use this as a way to build community and learn from each other – it does not mean that we deny each other the values that shape us as individuals. It means we strive for good and when we fail each other we seek forgiveness and celebrate reconciliation and newly forged path towards freedom. It means we respect freedom and honor the dignity of each person of the Canadian village. It means we ask questions not make assumptions, it means we go out of our comfort zones and learn about each other, it means we open our homes and hearts so as to strengthen the village and each other. Truly a reason to celebrate.

Celebrating Canada Day and Canada 150 is beyond this year. It challenges me to look back and be grateful for all that I have been blessed with because Canada is my home. It also challenges me to look ahead to see how I can contribute to the good of our nation and how I can ensure the next generation will see the value in our village and the gift of each member that makes up this great nation. I come again to the words of Tom Jackson from his closing address at the Order of Canada ceremony in mid-June. He walked over to the Canada flag and took it in his hand and said:

“This maple leaf is my sister.

I love the maple leaf, she is my sister…

And maybe for five seconds you can believe that I am your brother…

1…2…3…4…5…

Now how do you see the flag?”

I am thankful for his remarks and I am moved to tears every time I ponder his words. That is the Canada I call home, that is the Canada that I love and long to see more of and long for us to respect and appreciate. That is the Canada that is a village from sea to sea only made better from many people strengths. I too love the maple leaf, my sister and I too believe that we are all brothers and sister. We are each brother and sister and brothers and sisters have the great responsibility to be respectful of each other, to build up the other, to listen to each other and to foster the bonds of family so all may reach their fullest potential. This is where we are now at 150 and I wonder what holds us back and what must be strengthened to truly build up this home of ours… this great home, this village, the country we call Canada.  

With a glowing heart, celebrating freedom and standing up filled with pride I say:
O Canada…
may God keep our land
and may we find a 150 more reasons
to celebrate our home and native land.

Happy Canada Day!