The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Fr. Christopher
Jesus comes back again and again to this image of the child, to communicate a sense of human relationship to God.
Jesus comes back again and again to this image of the child, to communicate a sense of human relationship to God.
This year, we will celebrate the 21st Quinquennial Congress (Q2026) at the Griffin Gate Marriott in Lexington, Kentucky, from July 29 to August 2. This gathering comes at a particularly grace-filled moment, as the global Franciscan family continues to celebrate the Jubilee Year of St. Francis and the 800th anniversaries that mark the final years of his earthly life.
Surrender is the willing offering of one’s own will, desires, and life to God in trust, obedience, and love. It is an active response of faith—choosing to yield oneself to God’s purposes, following the example of Christ, who entrusted himself completely to the Father (Lumen Gentium, 41).
“Whoever welcomes you welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me.” Hospitality extended from one to another becomes a place of encounter. In welcoming another person, we may discover that Christ has already arrived ahead of us.
In my lifetime, four of my relatives have celebrated their 100th birthday. A century is a long time. But this year, as you all know, we are celebrating the 800th anniversary of Francis’ death. How does Francis stay so popular after eight centuries? We can get an idea by looking at what has happened in just the last 40 years – my part of the story.
At the CIOFS General Chapter in Rome (November 2024), the theme “You Are Love” reminded us that the Franciscan way of life begins with God’s initiative: God loved us first. From this gift flows the love we extend to ourselves, to our families, and to every brother and sister we meet along the way.
The deeper we travel through these days of Ordinary Time, the more we encounter the reality that discipleship is not simply believing certain things about Jesus. It’s about following Jesus.
Do you like to entertain? Got talent? Respond to the casting call for a talent show at the Quinquennial in Lexington, KY, July 29-Aug. 2. There are still a few slots available. If interested, send an email to Amy Sperry amysperryofs@gmail.com. See video for details.
Their first assignment is to connect and re-establish broken friendships among God’s people, to bring back the lost and forsaken, to speak a word that strengthens, the good news that saves, that God’s reign has come near.
In response to the announcement of a Year of St. Francis, Fr. Marek Weresa, who is a contributor of Vatican News, interviewed Bishop Krzysztof Nykiel, Regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary. One of the questions he asked, after a tremendous Jubilee Year and now another special invitation to enjoy a Year of St. Francis, was, “What can we do to prevent this time from becoming banal?”