The mustard seed . . . "once sown, springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade".
On Friday, January 5, 2024, at the Sanctuary of La Verna, the Franciscan Family officially opened the VIII Centenary of the Stigmata of St. Francis, with an event entitled “From the wounds to new life.” Eight centuries ago this year, up on the same mountain, on September 17, 1224, he received the stigmata; that is, the wounds of Christ were revealed on his hands, feet, and side. However, St. Francis’ interiorization of the cross took place much earlier. It happened around 1205-06, at the beginning of his conversion.
While unable to record this week's homily due to travel for the OFS, Fr. Christopher Panagoplos, TOR, offers us a way to reflect on the call and the response of St. Francis.
This passage from St. Paul (Rom12:2), notes three levels of adherence to God’s will: good, acceptable and perfect. Initially there is a minimum of following Christ which is solely good (not evil). Next we have acceptability which reflects a little higher adherence but still withholds total commitment and finally, there is perfection; for those who are fully committed to follow Christ and to become transformed by Him. It is a renunciation of self and desires, with a total intention of living for Christ in this world.
The Church, as Mother and Teacher of the faith, has given all believers, in these days of Eucharistic Revival, the opportunity to reflect deeply on the Eucharist, to be concerned what happens on the Altar and what should be happening in the hearts of those around the Altar. We need to reflect and understand that we are the Body of Christ, receiving Christ’s body.
In my home, visitors see religious articles throughout. These include a crucifix by the entrance of most of our rooms. My office has all my Franciscan images along with my framed profession certificate. In our primary bedroom, we have a collage of religious art across from the chairs where I often sit to pray.
(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Spring 2024 Digital Issue #111)
by Patrick Martin, OFS National Centenary Task Force
According to the American Museum of Natural History, two thousand years ago our planet’s population was about 170 million souls (a far cry from today’s population of about 8 billion). […]
The Father is Lover, loving the Son into being. The Son then is the Beloved of the Father, and the Spirit is the Love that binds them. It is from this love that everything else comes.
For St. Francis, living “according to the pattern of the Holy Gospel” was physical and sacramental. One of its signal characteristics would be its communal nature. Modeled on the example of Jesus and the apostles, it would be a community of brothers who would “give themselves to honest work,” living a life of poverty in the world “as pilgrims and strangers.” In this and the other ways in which the Franciscan movement would take shape—St. Clare’s cloistered Poor Ladies or the secular Brothers and Sisters of Penance—the paradigm of Franciscan life would be fraternity.
. Today, Pentecost Sunday, Easter’s 50th day, we pray for a fresh stirring of the gifts of the Spirit so that we can fulfill our mission to witness Jesus to others in the power of the Holy Spirit.