Lenten Growth

Jesus told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” Luke 13. 6-9

This very interesting gospel is for me a reminder that Lent is about beginning again. Have you ever had a Lent that has sputtered along? Lots of starts and stops? Lots of let’s give this a try or that didn’t work giving that up? Or what should I do or will this deepen my journey? Well I’m having one of those Lents. I’ve always struggled with my Lenten actions (except for the year I gave up chocolate everything) and this year is no different. I have realized this year that with my schedule the way that it is my Lenten commitments to fasting, prayer and almsgiving must be simple. Which is the message I gave during my retreat presentations a few weeks back. It was this parable that helped me make sense of it all, was the reminder I needed and to embrace the weeks of Lent that are left and my Lenten promises I have made. 

The idea of “let it alone for one more year… dig around it… and add manure” are great images for our Lenten journey. Each day of Lent is like that “one more year” a new day with new opportunity to make good on Lenten promises or to begin again with the ones that are sputtering along. Each day of Lent can produce growth that will blossom into Easter fruit. I am again encouraged that in the digging, adding of good manure and taking care of the fig tree of my life is not an alone activity.

This parable also reminds me to be patient. There is a lot going on right now and in that I can easily lose focus. I am reminded of the goodness of the gardener who cares for the fig tree and all his crops and asks for the time to work with the plant. Growth is a test of patience and endurance and the results are beautiful (like a flower bursting open) and overwhelmingly delicious (like a good fig). I am reminded that being patient in the little Lenten promises and even the starting again in this midpoint of Lent is encouraging the growth the gardener is seeking. The gardener is an image of God “who will not give up on those who struggle with turning toward him… we are all “prized possession” (New Collegeville Bible Commentary – Gospel According to Luke – Patella) we are still called to growth and to root ourselves in God’s goodness. As mentioned above not an alone activity at all rather God at work in our lives (of course).

So, like the fig tree you and I desire nurturing and nourishment. We desire the digging around that God must do so we may grow and flourish and let go of the harshness and dead layers of winter. We desire the good manure to be worked into the earth in which we live and take root so that we can be strengthened and rise from the dung we like to pile on ourselves. Lent is a time to see that God desires nothing more than for us to encounter how much God is present in our growth and how much God desires us to be “well and good.” As we move towards the mid-point of Lent may we once again commit ourselves to our Lenten promises and know that God is digging around and making available many nutrients for growth in the Lenten days remaining.

God the Great Gardener,
You dwell here in the planted-ness of these Lenten days,
dig around us and add the good manure 
so we may grow deeper into you 
and then blossom forth with your love in our daily living.

Come Holy Spirit rain down on us 
as we stretch forth
and new life begins to emerge 
from our Lenten promises.

Jesus shine your light into our growing
so we may be strengthened in ways of love
which produce fruit.

Amen.

Lenten Blessings of peace and all good!

Lenten Praying

The gospel for the Second Sunday of Lent is always that of the Transfiguration of Jesus. I love this story; maybe because of the intimacy of it all, or the desire of the disciples or the reminder of being chosen or God reminding us that Jesus is gift for us the story of the Transfiguration is so rich with images. Yet this week as I reflected on it, I was drawn to the phrase “went up the mountain to pray” and the word “praying.” 

It was a good reminder that in this season of Lent that prayer is one of our guides; one of our markers; one of our disciplines which calls us into relationship and into life. An encounter and relationship  with and in Christ leads us into prayer and calls forth our prayers.

Prayer:
It awakens us to how God is working in our lives and how we are responding.

It is about openness to the Holy Spirit and trusting in the Spirit’s promptings.

Is about relationship, our communication with God and God’s communication with us.

A dialogue, an openness, an honesty which is about truth, growth, healing and the depth of being a child of God.

Is also about silence, the stillness and quiet which allows us to see God’s glory, mercy and graces poured into our lives.

Is transforming - moving us from old ways to new ways. We pass from death into life, we make our exodus into the power of God’s love.

Are moments that are “good to be here” in, as they provide us with strength to walk with confidence into our daily living – claiming our goodness. It is here that we bring Christ and the good news into our every day encounters. 

Connects us with Christ, he who prayed hears our prayers and prays in, with and for us. He, the receiver of our prayers and dwells within us – the intimacy of Christ is indeed a gift for us. He is with us here and hears our pleas. Are we open enough to trust that Christ offers us God’s will, love, mercy and graces as the answers?

Reminds us that like Jesus, we too are chosen. We are chosen in Christ, a child of God – worthy, holy and beloved. In being chosen we bear Christ and our prayers call us beyond ourselves into the beautiful love-fest in which the Trinity surrounds us and calls us to life. It is here that we hold others in prayer.

Prayer a key part of our nourishment, a strength; a life-line to Christ, God and the Holy Spirit.

God, Hearer of Prayers,

Thank you for the gift of prayer in our lives.

Thank you for your Son Jesus who shows us how to pray.

Thank you for the variety and beauty which is a life of prayer.

Continue to stir in us and in our lives of prayer.

Amen.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

As St. Patrick reminds us with his prayer:

Christ before us, Christ behind us, Christ all around us.

Lenten Blessings of peace and all good!

Lent: Full of the Holy Spirit

Over the past couple of weeks I have been traveling for ministry. I have criss-crossed several paths and have met people from all walks of life. Traveling as an itinerant preacher allows for a few challenges (winter-road conditions, technological difficulties) and many blessings (an unexpected oasis, long visits, even time for family). The days were filled from morning to night with either final preparations, set up, conversations, meeting people and moments for prayer (not in my regular pattern) and each was blessed in so many ways. Each night as I laid down for sleep my heart was full of gratitude and praise.

The season of Lent began while I was on this preaching tour. It is always interesting to be out of one’s regular circumstances of life for Ash Wednesday. I have once been in Disney World (still made it to Mass) and this year saw me back in my hometown – a place I have not been for Ash Wednesday since probably the late 90’s. The day included travel, faith sharing and evening Mass (which even saw me distributing ashes to family, friends and neighbours). It is the faith sharing moment of the day that gave shape and has launched my season of Lent.

After preaching four back to back parish Lenten retreats, I was coming into Ash Wednesday a bit worn and wondering about how this season would take shape. My last blog framed the questions and reflections which I am going to continue to explore during Lent, but I was looking for something else? Something more? It clicked for me during the faith sharing.

On Ash Wednesday afternoon my Mom hosted a faith sharing group, which will continue to meet over the season of Lent. I was privileged and blessed to be part of their first gathering on this first day of Lent. The gathering consisted of all women. Most of these women have been a part of and have impacted my life since I was born and for those who have not been a part of my journey since birth they too have also impacted my life in other ways. It was a holy time; it was indeed sacred ground. The format for this faith sharing group is looking at the upcoming Sunday gospel. So at this first gathering we read, reflected and shared about the gospel story of the temptations of Christ.

I was drawn to the line “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit” (Luke 4.1). This line speaks to me of the power of our baptism and the gift of being the beloved of God, for it reminds us that in baptism we too are filled with the Holy Spirit. It speaks of how we too are called to trust and that we do have the power to face temptations and trials. It reminds us that God is with us and in us – a part of our very DNA. It wasn’t until now days later that I can begin to put my finger on why that line stood out for me. It is because of the holiness of the time shared together and the holy ground on which I was privileged to be part of with these women of faith. As they shared stories about their journey, as they discussed Lenten plans and temptations they face, as they listened to each other, encouraged each other and even shed a tear or two they also were and are filled with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit was indeed present in the sharing and will continue to be in the weeks ahead. It was in their sharing and listening that I was reminded about the gift of the Holy Spirit present.

In this season of Lent you and me are also full of the Holy Spirit. This is my launching point for Lent, to walk into each day with a grateful heart and to embrace and acknowledge that the fullness of the Holy Spirit is at work in you and me. Instead of looking at Lent as a time which trudges along I now look at it with a fullness which can lead me closer to Christ and deepen my walk of faith. I am so grateful that I was able to be present for the faith sharing, these amazing and holy women have given me a great perspective for Lent – one I needed and for that I am thankful. As I pray, fast and give alms this Lent there must be a fullness present or these will be empty practices which lead to a unfulfilled Lent and I don’t want that.

As we enter this first week of Lent – I come at it with an awareness that the fullness of the Holy Spirit is indeed a gift and one that calls me and each one of us to deeper sharing, greater trust and a union with God and Christ Jesus. I once again am aware of the abundance of gratitude that fills my heart and the gift of sharing on the holy ground with the women of faith which kick-started my Lenten journey. (Thank you and thanks Mom!)

Lenten Blessings of peace and all good!

Abundance of the Heart for Lent

“It is out of the abundance of the heart

that the mouth speaks.” – Luke 6.45

It is easy to complain, to judge, to criticize, or deride. Too often in our lives this becomes the first things that come out of our mouth – we feel slighted or see someone else rewarded and our words become words of hurt and we fester and let the heart stir in darkness and bitterness. This is not the way of the gospel, this is not the way to life, this is not the way of love.

When I read the above quote from the gospel of Luke my thoughts turned instantly to gratitude and praise and goodness. It is when we can see the abundance in our lives that true perspective is given and what we seem to want to complain about or criticize looses it grip. Instead our words are filled with gratitude giving thanks for our abundant blessings, praise for how God is at work in our lives and an awareness of good which is always stronger than any evil or hurt which is made known. 

What is the abundance of our hearts?
I’ve been thinking of this as Lent draw near and begins this week.
Can I enter Lent with an abundant heart? Can you?
What is in the abundance of my heart? In yours?
Can it shape my Lent? How? 

As Lent begins my heart is full of an abundance of gratitude. Each day there are countless things for which to give thanks. Even when the day unravels or tragedy crosses our paths or loneliness tries to trap my heart seems to find an abundance of gratitude. When at the end of each day I think if an abundance of God’s good I know my heart is turning more and more to the gospel way, a life-giving way and is rooted in love. Sometimes it is the smallest of things from a comfortable bed or a hug to grand things such as extended time with family and friends or a revelation in prayer. God’s abundance is always a part of my life even when I don’t see it. During this upcoming Lenten time my simple goal is to proclaim with the psalmist, “Lord, it is good to give thanks to you” (Psalm 92).

It is with this abundance of the heart that my Lent will be guided. To give praise and thanks to God for the journey of Lent – a time for prayer, for fasting and for almsgiving. These simple practices can only lead to a heart of abundance open to God’s graces. The Lenten journey is always one of transformation and transformation always leads to gratitude.

So as Lent begins and I tune my heart to the abundance of God’s love and mercy which resides at my very core… I ask myself and all those walking into Lent...

What will my prayer be this Lent? 
Can a prayer of abundant gratitude be a part of all my Lent days?

What will I fast from? 
Can I let go of my judgments and my wants and focus on the abundant heart of Christ?

What will my almsgiving be? 
Can I see what is mine in abundance and give generously so another can know the abundance of gratitude?

These are the questions I ask myself with Ash Wednesday being marked this week.
This is the journey that Lent is calling me to.
Where are you being called this Lent?

Peace and much good for the journey.

Family

On this Family Day Long-Weekend I am reminded of the words of Saint Francis of Assisi. “They will be called children of the heavenly Father, Whose works they do. And they are spouses, brothers, sisters and mothers of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are spouses when the faithful soul is united by the Holy Spirit to our Lord Jesus Christ. We are brothers and sisters, moreover, when we do the will of his Father Who is in heaven; mothers when we carry Him in our heart and body through love and a pure and sincere conscience; and give Him birth through a holy activity, which must shine before others by example.” – Later Admonition and Exhortation to the Brothers and Sisters of Penance 

This is one of my most favorite quotes from Francis. It challenges me to look at my life and to examine how I am sibling, mother and spouse with the Triune God. It challenges me to consider universal fraternity – where everyone and everything is my sibling. This challenge is not always easy to ponder and consider. It challenges me as consider the words of Christ, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers? Who ever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12.48-50) I’m sure this is from where St. Francis was driving the above mentioned reflections on relationships. Familial relationships call us to be life-giving, to be present, and then to engage and share the God-given gifts that our ours to develop and grow in so that our light may shine.

Over the past few weeks I have been challenged on how I am brother. Am present to others? Am I supporting others to share their gifts and abilities? Am I doing my will or the will of my Father in heaven? Living a fraternal life has its ups and downs, its for better and for worse, its joys and sorrows. It is considering my role as a Franciscan Brother, as a sibling, a son, an uncle and a friend that awakened me to God’s goodness and I strive to God’s goodness in all I encounter for we are all family.

I recently heard a discussion about two people seeking out different families over this Family Day Long Weekend. People who become family for each other, people who create family where they are and in the communities in which they live. I was again reminded of St. Francis and how he would be pleased to hear of the school staff who support each other, the small community that comes together over lasagna and skating lessons, the veteran who supports his fellow veterans, the cultural groups that welcome friends and neighbours into their community centers to celebrate our commonality, the community who sends notes of love to victims of racism, the fraternity of religious who open their doors to the family of street, the charities who open their doors to give a room for those who walk the cold winter hallways seeking shelter and family, the family who delivers meals on wheels and becomes family to shut-ins and the elderly. It is here in these situations that I truly see discipleship and come to understand the gift of family – of being spouse, sibling and mother of Christ. It is in considering these scenarios and many others that I have to ask myself “how I am family where I am and for others?”

As we consider our families over this weekend; whether good or painful memories emerge, may we remember that we are called to the bigger family where we are all united as siblings. No matter who we are, the color of our skin, the work we do, the pain we carry, where we are from or whom we love we are family – we are the body of Christ. When we finally see the gift of being the body of Christ we come together so our individual lights may shine and together we become one brilliant light – with us as sibling and Christ too!

God of Life,

We give you thanks for the gift of family

whomever that maybe for us.

We strive to ignite our light which we hold within

so that we may be the best spouses, siblings and parents

that we were designed to be.

Fill us with your grace and mercy so that we may truly shine

and bring light to the darkness of our world.

We pray for those who do not know family or struggle to be family.

Be present in those homes and communities

easing pain, healing hurts, building bridges of hope

and showing us the way to create family there.

You our God, our Divine Parent,

we desire your love each day

and freely you share it

May our hearts and eyes be open

to where and in whom we encounter this gift

today, tomorrow and always,

for we know that always is how you are with us

because of Jesus our Lord through the gift of Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Not Afraid of Something New

“Do not be afraid” 

They left everything and followed Jesus. 

- Luke 5.1-11

As a ‘young’ religious in Canada the phrase “do not be afraid” comes with it challenges, however it is always laced with hope. There are at times as a religious, I must be honest, that as we look to future we can be caught up in fear and forget the reassuring words of Jesus ‘Do not be afraid.” We ponder: Who will make up the church? Where will the church be in 5 or 10 years? Will the church face her demons and learn from her sins? How will the church and religious define themselves in this every changing world? What path will we trod as our religious communities diminish? These questions trap us and we can build upon fear instead of upon hope. We must not dwell here, we must face these questions with honesty, with conviction and with hope for this is our “duty” as religious and it is also the invitation we offer to all disciples of Christ.

The challenge of “do not be afraid” is trust. Trusting that God is at work in my life and the life of my religious community, all religious communities and the church. Trusting that like St. Peter I too can “put out into the deep” with all that I am. Trusting that by putting out into the deep I will cast my nets into new waters and be amazed by the catch. Trusting that the word of God is speaking to me, helping me to purify my intentions and confidently leaving everything to follow Jesus.

The most compelling thing about “Do not be afraid” is that it calls me beyond myself. It calls me to not get caught up in my worries, my fears, my shortcomings or the struggles we face as religious. Instead it calls me to look to Jesus and to look to the gifts of my brothers, others religious, the church and all the people of God. “Do not be afraid” awakens in me a confidence that looks the fears and questions of despair in the eyes and says again and again, “put out into the deep,” (Luke 5. 4) “proclaim the good news,” (1 Corinthians 15.1) remember that “the Lord will fulfill his purpose for me (us)” (Psalm 138) and that “your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever” (Psalm 138).

Yes, the Lord’s steadfast love endures forever and it is because of this love that I continue to live out my vows, continue to leave everything to follow Jesus and I can say “Here am I; send me!” (Isaiah 3.8)

Lord Jesus,

Several years ago, I prayed

“do something new in me”

I didn’t know what that would mean.

I’m not sure if I understand it any more today

but I continue to pray “do something new in me.”

This small prayer is not a plea, it is not a begging,

it is my way of saying, “Here am I; send me.”

I’m not sure what that will mean or where I will go.

I do know that it means you will 

equip me and ready me to “put out into the deep.”

It means that my fears need not rise 

for you will be there with me

to help me with the catch 

and the work that is to be done.

It means that despite my sinfulness that I am still a vessel

and you work in me and strengthen me to be your messenger.

In each day by trying to give my all and empty myself I can

leave everything, offer everything and entrust everything to you.

You calm my fears, you deepen my trust, you are my may,

You are my everything. Your grace, mercy and love are enough for me,

so once again I pray, “do something new in me.”

Amen.

An Examination of Living and Loving

“That source of love we call God is revealed in the person of Jesus Christ, the word of love among us, and in the Holy Spirit, God as love enacted within us and among us. The only antidote to the brokenness of the word is to surrender to love, to let that love act in us and through us, even when we know it may ultimately lead to heartbreak.”

– Heidi Russell (professor at Loyola University Chicago)

I’ve been thinking a lot about love over the past few days. Maybe because it’s the word I’ve chosen to focus on for the year, maybe because it is February and Valentine’s Day is drawing near and being overly advertised or maybe it is because the famous reading about love – 1 Corinthians 12.31-13.13 was proclaimed this weekend at Mass. No matter the reason it is good to ponder love. I’ve been trying to see love deeper than the kind words or nice sentiments. I have been trying to reflect on it as my way of life. Where is love in my life? Where do I make known love? How do I know love? How do I love? What is love when I feel alone or broken? These are the questions that make me ponder the depth of love. When I read the above quote by Heidi Russell my ponderings on love seemed a bit more synced. God “within us and among us” is the only way love can make sense. It is the only way love makes sense to me as I discover its depth more and more. No matter our journey, no matter how abused or broken human love is; no matter how challenging we find it to love our neighbours because we struggle to love ourselves; no matter how shallow love may seem as we use it to describe everything from committed relationships to hockey teams from TV shows to food to our families, love is among us. Love is among us because God does not abandon us. God cannot abandon us for God is love and God created us in love. Even when our image of God may be broken, or distorted or non-existent God’s love is still “within us and among us.” 

It is in surrendering to love, the love that is God, the love that is lasting that we can walk in love no matter what. I was reminded of that again this past week as I was leading a retreat and shared a story about my niece Cailey. 

When Cailey was about 5 or 6 I returned home to my parent’s home after being away she came bounding down the hallway and leapt into my arms in a big hug. When I say leaped, I mean like half way down the hallway she was in the air already and her arms and legs were ready to completely embrace me. It was from that moment on that I told her she gives the best hugs – because she does – but also because her hug reminded me about God’s deep love for me (for us). It also speaks to me now about my own surrendering into God’s love. Am I willing to leap? Am I willing to trust that God will catch me and embrace my all? How is this in tune with my daily desire to be a vessel for God? Am I open enough to know that even in heartbreak that God’s love is within and among me?

1 Corinthians 12.31- 13.13 is for us an examination of living and loving. 
Do we strive for greater gifts?
How do we speak of others? Ourselves? Do we do so with love?
Do we gather up knowledge and wealth and relationships for our selfish pleasure?
How do we love? How do we make love known?

In this letter to the Corinthians the famous passage reads: “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or rude… it is not irritable or resentful… it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” This is the power of love and more than one commentator, mystic and author has suggested that we should substitute our name in place of the word love. Now that is a true examination of living and loving.
How am I love? 
Am I patient? Am I kind?
Am I hopeful?

How do we reflect love? How do reflect Christ?
How do we open ourselves up to God’s true love?

What does faith look like in my life?
What does hope look like?
How does love live within me and among me?
Do I trust in love even in the heartaches?
Can I allow God’s love into my brokenness?
Can I surrender my all to love?

Where and what is love in my life? What and who do I love?

With this examination of living and loving to ponder, I leave you with another thought from Heidi Russell, “we take the risk again and again to love other human beings, despite their tendency to disappoint and to die, and to love God who has enabled us to love by first loving us.”

God of Love, enable us to love, we pray. Amen.