The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – Feast of the Assumption – Fr. Christopher
We reprise Father's homily of August 15, 2021 for this week. Father celebrated his first Mass 48 years ago on the Feast of the Assumption.
Apostolate: Love in Living Deeds
“If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it?” (James 2: 15,16.) It could also be said, if we see a river of people wandering without protection, all their savings stolen, preyed upon by criminals and officials alike, huddled against our national border, and we say to them, “peace and all good,” and do nothing to help them obtain food, shelter, and safety, what good is that?
Reflecting on Mary, Our Mother and Model
Think back to your profession and recall the words that you said as the Minister held your hands and you made your profession promise. I, by the grace of God, renew my baptismal promises and consecrate myself to the service of his Kingdom. ...
The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Fr. Christopher
Beneath all our hungers is our hunger for God. Jesus is God’s offer to satisfy that hunger. The faith and trust Jesus is inviting us to, is not an intellectual assent to dogma, or doctrine. The Discourse of the Bread of Life is not about propositions. It’s about Jesus.
A Mutual Embrace
(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Summer 2024 Digital Issue #112)
by Fr. John De La Riva, OFM Cap.
President-in-turn, National Conference of Spiritual Assistants
I write to you as I am gazing on a nicely framed picture depicting the familiar […]
The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Fr. Christopher
There are things that make life possible. There are things that make life worth living. Food and water and shelter make human existence possible. But what makes life sweet, and beautiful, and rich? Today’s Gospel holds the clues.
Celebrating the Anniversary of our Franciscan Profession
Recently I was at a Mass and ceremony on the 25th anniversary of Profession for a Sister of St. Francis. What an inspiration it was! This was a reminder for me and all of us present about what a gift our Profession is to us. It was a reminder that during our years as Franciscans, we make a sincere effort to make present the charism of our common Seraphic Father in the life and mission of the church.
The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Fr. Christopher
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that when God is present, when God acts, there is always enough. God brings light and life in our darkest moments.
“You Are Love:” Fraternity is our Workshop
... how grateful I am for the gift of fraternity: “What is truly special and emotional for me, though, is to see how people of different backgrounds, languages, and cultures are so much alike in our love for one another, for God, and for our Franciscan vocation. The Holy Spirit has given each one of us the exact gifts and talents we need to allow us to get along and to be productive. It's a bit of a miracle to see what even a tiny "temporary" fraternity can accomplish if we are open to the Spirit and to one another.”
Eucharistic Congress Ends with Revival
“It was truly an extraordinary experience,” said Susan Ronan, secretary of the National Executive Council Secular Franciscan Order-USA, as the Eucharistic Congress entered its closing hours in Indianapolis. Tens of thousands of attendees will be commissioned Sunday morning to go out into the world with a renewed passion for Our Lord and to proclaim the Gospel.