To be joyful is an undeniable sign of God’s presence, and of our faith, no matter what transpires as we wait for God to make His glory visible, and to show forth goodness and mercy.
As much as I enjoy being with brothers and sisters from our Franciscan family, serving as the National Minister is quite a bit of work. Sure, I “get to” travel to fulfill my responsibilities. Often that means time building relationships with brothers and sisters, learning the blessings and challenges encountered in each area and praying together as part of daily Mass and morning/evening prayer. Following the fun part comes meetings and then time developing a report to document the findings.
John’s highway is ultimately a way to let God get close, to make it possible to welcome Jesus as the Giver of the Spirit.
New Year’s blessings to you. The beginning of the liturgical year also means the start of the Advent Season. Notice I wrote Advent Season, not Christmas Season. Although the Church says the Christmas Season doesn’t start for 3+ weeks, the rest of society doesn’t buy it. Most of our friends, neighbors and businesses have jumped to Christmas already. By the time the Feast of the Nativity arrives, and the actual Christmas Season begins, many have moved on - ready to take down the decorations.
God came down. This is the heart of the seasons of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. God prefers to live with us in spite of our sinful ways, our anger and violence, our lack of love for one another. We find God here on earth.
We are called to belong to the truth, to claim what is real in our lives, living a Catholic Christian Franciscan life, and to follow the teachings of Christ and His Church.
Things may be overwhelming and tough now, but the future belongs to God and to the values demonstrated in the life of Jesus, as we prepare to go to meet Him.
Follow reports from the XVII General Chapter of the Secular Franciscan Order celebrated in Rome from Nov. 9-17, 2024.
"And so, whether we are able to do a little or a lot, whether we are able to give a little or give in abundance, it is who we become in the doing, and in the giving, that is the greater gift that God desires."
When we recognize God’s beauty in people, God’s beauty in creation, then God’s incarnate love is present and at work in us.