In confessing Jesus’ identity, Peter confessed his own. The Lord wanted nothing less from Peter than perfect conformity with Himself: “Another will bind you (as they did Me) and take you where you would not go.”
For Francis, the Eucharist is the primary way in which he sees Christ’s continuing Incarnation in the world, the complete self-emptying of Christ.
The first time I was introduced to the “Canticle of the Creatures,” I was easily captivated by its seemingly all-encompassing spirit of joy and praise of our good God. Without knowing Francis’ story well nor the context of this canticle’s writing, I imagined him frolicking through a vast field of flowers on a bright summer’s day, without a care in the world. Yes, a moment when the true blessings of the Lord can be so obvious, even to the most tepid of believers. What was this setting of inspiration? What treasure could so captivate St. Francis?
“Fear and honor, praise and consecrate, thank and adore the omnipotent Lord God in the Trinity and in the Unity, Father and Son and Holy Spirit, creator of all things.” (From the Earlier Rule)
When we walk by the Spirit we will be kind and good, we grow gentle and faithful. We experience incomparable peace, a joy the world cannot give.
The receiving and giving among the friends of Jesus creates a unity that becomes a message to the non-unified world, a world that lives by taking and holding.
Peace signifies the restoration of harmonious relations between God and humankind. Peace is also the bond of accord between one another.
“Now is the Son of Man glorified:” the passion by which Jesus will be glorified is now beginning. Jesus, lifted up on the cross, is the glory of God shining on the world.
Jesus is the shepherd, we belong to Him, we recognize His voice, and we follow Him. A relationship dramatic and life-changing
God always calls us to more, always calls us to a higher level. But when we fall short, God accepts us, accepts what we offer.