Summer School

I’m now a week into my summer studies. What can I tell you?

The class is good, different from what I’m used to but good. Lots to discover, new insights, new lessons learned, new ways of approaching Francis and his journey. We have lots to read and ponder and that will only increase over the days ahead. Hopefully enriching our lives as soon to be Friars.

Add into the mix the community time, the house duties (I’m the grocery boy and information provider - having parents who own a grocery store does pay off! :D ) and of course time for personal prayer, Mass, community prayer and our days are full.

I think we are all settling into a nice routine and we continue to discover interesting things about each other’s journeys. It is always interesting to understand what makes people tick… in a sense that is what we are doing with Francis over the course of our studies.

One thing that is true about Francis is how he kept focused on Christ. One of his biographers – Thomas of Celano said it this way:

He was always with Jesus:

Jesus in his heart,

Jesus in his mouth,

Jesus in his ears,

Jesus in his eyes,

Jesus in his hands,

he bore Jesus always in his whole body.

 

When I read this quote again yesterday, I was reminded that I too desire this in my life. This summer is another opportunity to deepen that desire to embody Jesus and wrap myself up in the life of Francis so I can encounter Jesus more intimately.

Here is to another week of growth, learning and community!

 

 

Blessings to all!

 

God Bless Canada - our home and native land!

 

Good People

Over the past week I have travelled, met up with my fellow Postulant Brothers, got settled into our ‘Summer House’ on campus, went through group formation, toured the area, prayed together and celebrated Eucharist. This graced time has been very life-giving and the classes only begin on Monday!

As I look back over the course of my life the one thing that God has blessed me with is good people in the journey at the right time. I look at the gift of my family; my parents and siblings, my Grandparents and relatives forming me, helping to shape a part of who I am and giving me roots. I look at my nephews and nieces and Godchildren how they have blessed my journey with so much joy, hope and excitement. I look at my dear friends who stayed by my side, who have loved me when it’s easy and when it’s not so easy. I look at former co-workers who came along side me and inspired me. I look at community members and parishioners who encouraged me and shared kindness. I look at my Postulancy Director and Postulancy Community of Friars and friends who took my foundation and gifts and called them out even more.

I now look at the Friar Guardian for this summer and my 12 Brothers that I will live with for the next 5 weeks and then during Novitiate. These men, my brothers are men of prayer, of service, and of desiring to follow Christ through the path of St. Francis. These brothers have proven themselves to be welcoming, kind, fun, good humored and good listeners. We come from all walks of life – artists, navy, engineers, students, and theatre (just to name a few), we range in age from 20 to 56 and we come from several different cultures – Iraqi, Mexican, Salvadorian, Filipino, American and of course Canadian. We are a unique group but a group that has bonded quickly, respects each other and will enjoy a journey together over the next 12 months.

 

I am so grateful for the blessings of good people in my life.

 

My schedule over the next few weeks will look a bit like this:

Morning Prayer - 7:45 am

Class – all morning

Afternoons – for studying, quiet, prayer and play

Mass – 4:30 pm

Evening Prayer or Night Prayer

 

Not to mention House duties, additional campus activities and Tim Horton's runs! (That's right Tim Horton's has gone south of the border!)

 

All taking place on a beautiful Franciscan campus, where we will walk to a gorgeous chapel to pray, off to a new classroom to study, into a huge dining hall to enjoy good food (when we are not cooking) and on paths to get some exercise, good conversation or quiet.

It is a full schedule but it will be so rewarding!

 

 

 

 

Francis is calling to me and my brothers.

We desire to live the gospel and share the good news.

God is at work in all of this. What more could I want?

Please pray for Abel, Javier, Daniel, Christian, Josh, Jay, Dale,

Josh, Nickolas, Fernando, Alan, Mark, Ron and myself.

(photo not in order of list and 2 are missing)

 

Know of my payers for you!

On the Road Again

Over the past two weeks I have been on the move. Lots has happened and even more will happen over the next few weeks.

My Postulancy Year is coming to close and what a year it has been! To think that in the course of the last 12 months, I resigned from my ministry, packed, moved, enter the Franciscans as a Postulant, settled into a Friary, embraced community life, deepened my faith journey, expanded my life experience through new ministries, met new people, stayed connected with 'old' friends, discerned more deeply, packed up again and moved my limited stuff back to my parents place, reconnected with family and friends and now prepare for my Novitiate Year.

The past two weeks have been full of surprises, hugs, blessings, hugs, crazy schedule, hugs, visits, hugs, preparing, hugs, familiar tasks, hugs, lots of communication, hugs, lots of preparing, hugs, little time for worry, hugs, heart to hearts, hugs, holding babies, hugs, prayer in the mix, hugs, unpacking, hugs, letting go of stuff, hugs, repacking, hugs, excitement, hugs, hopefulness, hugs. It has been very full but very good, many blessings have filled the past two weeks and past year. I am so grateful that my life is filled with many good and awesome people. I am so grateful for the gift of faith and the gifts of courage, hope, joy, and strength that come from it and also fill it.

Over the next few weeks I will be on the move again as I end my Postulancy Year and enter Pre-Novitiate. I will be going to Franciscan Summer School. I will be meeting up with my fellow Postulant Brothers, spending time in retreat, going to classes, living in community, meeting the larger Franciscan family and preparing for the Novitiate. It will be a grace-filled and exciting time.

After my summer studies come to a close I will journey back home. In my short time at home I will unpack and repack again, hug, let go of some more stuff, hug, spend lots of time with family, hug, celebrate a few special occasions, hug, pray, hug, eat good home-cooked food, hug and prepare for my year away at the Novitiate.

As St. Francis said, 'The journey is essential to the dream.'
My journey and dream is so deeply entwined with Francis and in the awesome love of Christ.
It has been full of richness, growth and blessings.
I am so excited for the journey to continue.
Being open to the adventure so far has only enriched the journey greatly!

May God continue to bless each of you,
may God smile upon each of you,
may God hold you close to the heart of Christ
and may your summer be filled with time to encounter our awesome God.

Know of my prayers, I humbly ask for yours.

I am uncertain of my schedule while at Summer School, but will try to blog a few times to have you join me on the adventure.

Worthy To Be Transplanted

Colossians 1:12-14
Give thanks to the Father, who has made you worthy to share in the lot of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.


This short piece of scripture reminded me of incident that happened to me this past year. The phrase ‘made you worthy to share the lot of the saints in light’ has been playing over and over again in my mind.

I have pondered how each of are made worthy through Christ and in Christ.
We are made worthy to shine our light into the world.
We are made worthy to be builders in the kingdom.

It’s easy to forget this worthiness.

In late February after returning from our visit to the Novitiate House I was lost in emotions of the week, pondering my future, feeling unsettled realizing that my routine would be upset again in few short months. I know that I can adjust to change and challenge myself to do so but also know I love the security of the familiar, not necessarily routine, but familiar. The psalm of that late February day was ‘Throw your cares on the Lord and the Lord will support you.’ It was in reading that psalm that I remembered that had promised myself I would put my whole heart into the this journey and year and enter into the relationships that would cross my path.

I still felt unsettled even known that God was so ready to take all my cares I was throwing God’s way. In my unsettledness I sat down in conversation with someone shared what was going on with my journey and how transitions can be tough, especially over the next few years, when you nicely feel like you put down roots and then get uprooted again.



As I shared these thoughts, this wise person whom I was sharing with asked me, ‘Have you ever gardened before? Do you like gardening?’

I responded that I had gardened and did in fact enjoy gardening.

I was then asked if I had ever transplanted a plant before.
To which I replied yes of course.

I then listened with great interest how this wise person created a beautiful image of plants be transplanted. I listened intently as it was shared how when we transplant a plant it goes from comfortable, rich soil and needs to have that in the new pot. If we were to leave that plant on the table it would just wither or if we don’t plant it in good soil or a good location it dies. It must go into rich soil.

This image lead the conversation to discussing how it is worth putting down roots, even if just for a short time, as it prepares us to be rooted again in rich soil. So that transitions become life-giving and fruitful, and we bear much fruit and we grow and our roots are strengthened and we become hardy and can adapt and grow through the changes, the uprootings, the storms and the growth.



My heart eased with this image and I felt deep peace and hope again. I knew I had thrown my cares upon the Lord and the Lord had indeed supported me. I am so grateful God always knows what I need to hear when I need to hear it.

I continually throw my cares upon the Lord and the Lord continues each day to support me and remind me that I am worthy to be in his light. That you - my family, friends, relatives, Friars, Poor Clares and the community with which I ministered and prayed with this Postulancy Year; who have shared in this journey are indeed very worthy to share in this light. It is good to be here, the soil has been rich indeed, and yes the time for transplanting has come, but the nourishment for the next planting is so great.

It is great because each of us are branches connected to the magnificent and glorious vine that builds the kingdom of God.

Let us continue to grow and build, let us continue to water and nurture the growing, let us trust deeply that we are indeed worthy Saints yesterday, today and tomorrow.

I was reminded… Bloom Where You’re Planted

Craving God

God, you are my God, you I seek,
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands and call on your name.
My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast,
and my mouth praises you with joyful lips
when I think of you on my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
for you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me
- Psalm 63



Over the course of my Postulancy Year, I have had the great privilege of leading Taize Prayer. Tonight is the last one that I will lead. This is my brief reflection. If you get the chance to read or sing it, Psalm 63 on page 658 in Catholic Book of Worship III is the version of the psalm I make reference to in my reflection.


The first time I heard this psalm sung it was early morning on a warm summer day, I was sitting in the old chapel at Newman College. It was sung by a classmate of mine, a tall, distinguished man who sung it from the depths of his soul, because it was more than just words to him or song to sing. His voice filled the whole chapel and stirred the depths of me and spoke to my soul. It continues to do this each time I hear it and pray the words.

I don’t think I had heard this psalm before that day and if I had it had not stood out. But that day, I heard my deepest desires and my cravings, I heard my own praise and adoration, I heard my own gratitude and honesty expressed in a way I had not been able to express. Since that first time I heard it, the words of this psalm have crossed my lips over and over again. I have sung it in prayer, I have whispered it in dark times, and I have ponder its meaning and depth for me as I journey with my God.

This psalm states what the desires of life of a Christian are, to crave God each day, to know that God walks with us and blesses us and that God is our strength and hope. It reminds us that God goes before us and is with us, that God is our strength and that God is the promise of our dry land being turned into a land overflowing, and filled with milk and honey.

This psalm seems to best describe my journey that has lead me to here and now and launches me into the journey ahead. I know how I have searched for God and ached for God and how much God has found me and soothed my aching.

I desire more and more to gaze upon God. Just as Francis gazed upon the San Damiano Cross, just as Clare gazed upon the Eucharist I find myself being drawn more and more to gaze upon my God, to contemplate Christ and how he truly fills my craving and thirsting.

God’s love is my life, it is what fills me up and enables me to go forth and share the blessings that fill my life. Over and over again my life has been blessed. As I consider the places and people I have encountered, as I ponder the opportunities that have opened up the path, as I reflect on this past year and the beginning of my journey into religious life, I do indeed give praise to God and feast at the very rich table of our Generous God.

I also know that in my darkest moments, in my hurts and pains, even in my selfishness, greed, sinfulness and trying to fill my craving for God with lies I have clung to God. I have begged for mercy and help and in every moment of darkness God’s mercy and help pulls me out of my self-misery and shelters me in comfort and love. I am called to fullness and to live as the best version of the Child of God I am. Clinging to God has been the best decision I have made, for I always know God’s light is in my dark and that I am never alone.

Yes, God my God, I crave you for you are my all in all, you are my source and summit of life. When I forget this gift you gently invite me to encounter it over and over again. I thirst each day for you to pour your amazing love into my life and each day you do.

God, my God, I crave you for you are the path of life, your table is indeed rich to feast at and you always hold me close. God, my God… God, our God… you are the refreshment and life not just for me but for all people. We place our hope in knowing you are with us here and now, yesterday and tomorrow, in darkness and in light. God, our God, you we crave! Yes… You we crave and only You can fill our craving!

Holy Ground Holy Silence

Over the past several days I have been on an Hermitage Experience. What that means is that I live as a hermit (for the most part) in quiet, in prayer, in conversation with God, in time away from the of community and the world. The only time I encountered people was for daily Mass. My Director took on the mother role for this time and provided me with my daily supper meal (I had food for other times) and then we switched roles and he became the hermit and I took on the mother role. For the most part when I left the hermitage, the quiet continued I just settled in with my Franciscan Brothers who live nearby, and except for conversations at meals, the quiet continued. This was a blessed time, a sacred time, a grace-filled time. It is not the first time I have spent time as a hermit or in quiet for an extended period of time, however this time seemed different, it seemed to grasp me differently.

Being on the Poor Clares Monastery grounds was a gift in itself, being on this Holy Ground, near the community of these holy and joy-filled sisters was encouraging and supportive. I knew I was being held in prayer. Being able to walk from my simple little hermitage to their chapel for quiet prayer and Mass was a walk filled with blessings. Being able to go for walks in the quiet with no time restraints, being able to rest, to read, to ponder, to pray, to listen, to contemplate and to converse with God fanned the flame in my heart that is burning with a Franciscan desire for Jesus. Being wrapped up in deep thoughts, in words of prayer, in words of scripture, in time that had no demands, in words flowing into my journal; these all came from my depths and stirred within me because God who is always at work in me was working overtime in me.

As my Postulancy Year comes to a close and after a few very busy weeks, the gift of this week of quiet to be able to look back, look ahead and look within allowed for me to connect with Jesus in a very real way and also see how Francis is calling me to continue to be a part of his dream. It is hard to put into words all that stirred within me; some of it because it is deeply personal, some of it because in that moment it was the gift I needed, some of it because it is hard to describe the emotions one feels when you hear the voice of God affirm you and say ‘I love you very much’, some of it because of how quiet and nature can speak to the soul and some of it because words just can't fully describe the power and blessings of this time.

God continues to work in and through me,
God continues to call me and empowers me,
God continues to say you are where I need you, trust me.

So I do, and the journey continues,
So I do, and peace settles deeper within me,
So I do, and open myself up to fullness of life.

During my hermitage time I again came across a quote that says: ‘At the heart of Francis is the heart of Christ.’ Each time I read it, it expanded to be ‘At the heart of Francis and at the heart of Michael is the heart of Christ.’ Then the gospel on one of the hermitage days said: ‘Abide in me, as I abide in you.’ These words from scripture give depth to the quote, for these words have always brought me comfort and joy.

‘At the heart of Francis and at the heart of Michael is the heart of Christ’ speaks deeply to abiding in Christ and Christ abiding in me. This abiding from both perspectives invites me to trust in Christ, to rest in him, to move and be in him, but it is also assurance that Christ lives in me and loves in me and moves in me. Christ calls me to life and calls me to share in his life.

Abiding in Christ is blessing-filled, grace-filled and hope-filled. Christ abiding in me is my heart beating to his heart, my life unfolding with him as my center, my actions and words more and more becoming his and me trusting that he has begun and will fulfill a good work in me.

Yes Lord, I abide in you and I’m so very thankful that you abide me.

So grateful for this rich Franciscan tradition of hermitage time and the blessings it has poured into my life. I hope and pray that you can see where blessings have filled your week.

Jump, Walk, Leap: New Life in Christ

This past weekend I had the great opportunity to work with my Director on presenting a retreat for the Secular Franciscans (lay order connected to the Friars). It was so great to be part of the retreat. I am sharing with you my closing reflection.

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer,
at three o’clock in the afternoon.
And a man lame from birth was being carried in.
People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple
called the Beautiful Gate
so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple.

When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple,
he asked them for alms.
Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said,
‘Look at us.’

And he fixed his attention on them,
expecting to receive something from them.
But Peter said, ‘I have no silver or gold,
but what I have I give you;
in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.’
And he took him by the right hand and raised him up;
and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.
Jumping up, he stood and began to walk,
and he entered the temple with them,
walking and leaping and praising God.

All the people saw him walking and praising God,
and they recognized him as the one who used to sit
and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple;
and they were filled with wonder and amazement
at what had happened to him.
- Acts 3.1-10

This piece of scripture is a great Easter story. It reminds us that since the Resurrection of Christ, his followers have been put into action.

Think about it in the day of and days immediately following the Resurrection…
Angels descending,
Women running to tell the good news,
Apostles running to see for themselves,
Disciples walking to Emmaus,
Disciples running from Emmaus,
Disciples going fishing,
Followers gathering,

And these are just from the four gospels, not to mention all the stories, besides the one we just heard that are recorded in Acts.

The Resurrection is about being put into motion. Each of us, each day, as Easter people have the same gift to offer that Peter and John did to the lame man. We are called to offer Christ to others in our words and actions.

I think of the times in my own life when I have been put into motion to share good news… the birth of my nephews and nieces, in greeting friends, in praying with the community, in celebrating the accomplishments of others! Simple events that call me to jump up and give praise!

I love how in this story the man recognizes that the name of Jesus is more powerful, is more life-changing then silver and gold. Makes me ponder my own life and look at the things I have, the opportunities I have, and the privileges I have. Do I recognize Christ in them? Do I see Christ is present in my every day?

What causes me to jump up? To leap and praise God? To be filled with wonder and amazement?

Does the name of Jesus cause my heart to stir? Or is it just another name? Can I boldly praise my God?

Those are some tough questions. I have been pondering them and I have been trying to determine why this reading stirred me so deeply.

Maybe it’s because it challenges me to kindle the fire that was lit in me at my baptism. Maybe it’s because it challenges me to look at my life to see how I am living as an Easter person. Maybe it’s because it challenges me to go forth from my comfort zones and be a witness for Christ.

Over the course of this past year as a Postulant I have at times felt like the lame man sitting by the gate waiting. I have been waiting for a sign, a spark, a sense of hope, a voice of comfort and support.

Time and time again the Friars that I live with have said to me, ‘Look at us.’ And have offered me witness of Christ present in my midst. They have given me the opportunity to stand and walk, they have strengthened my stand and my journey of faith. They have helped me to praise God, they have helped me to discover more about wonder and amazement in the blessings of my life and by offering me Christ Jesus again and again in very real ways – support, wisdom, encouragement, prayer, listening, challenging me and on and on. They have shown me the message of Jesus and how the call to action is real in my life.

It is this same call to action that moved Francis and Clare to accept nothing but the name of Jesus, and to radically stand, jump, leap and praise God. As I can see myself in the lame man made more whole, I discover that the vows I desire to make, the vows of chastity, obedience and poverty are rooted in accepting more and more that Jesus is my source. As Francis and Clare discovered they were made rich not by silver and gold but by Christ, I too desire this more. In accepting this they were able to praise God for a deep love and being able to share that love freely. They were able to praise God for being able to follow Christ in deep trust. They were able to praise God for having everything but yet owning nothing. Simply the gift of Jesus left them filled, filled with wonder and amazement and that was enough. I too desire this to be my enough.

So I am challenged to embrace the message of this scripture, to live out my baptismal call, to fan the flame and to live as an Easter person. For this scripture story opens me up to and opens us all up to the message of Easter which is:

Death is not the end of the story, for our God is a God of surprises!

We are called by faith and not by sight alone as we always look for Christ in others and the world around us.

We must seek Christ in the midst of the mess and build our hopes on Christ for
True strength is in sharing His joy, love, hope and kindness. (Dare I say that sounds like means for jumping, leaping and praising!)

And finally we must remember that doubt is not an enemy of faith, but disengagement is. We must refuse to let disengagement take any hold of us, for we are an Easter people, Alleluia is our song and we are people set in motion!

To borrow the concluding words of the Mass, each day we are called “to go in peace, glorifying the Lord with our lives”. We have been commissioned “Thanks be to God” indeed! Alleluia!