True sharing in the prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist means that I listen, receive, and the door opens up within me, through which Christ may enter, and that I may begin to enter into Him.
“Eternal Trinity, You are like a deep sea, in which the more I seek, the more I find; and the more I find, the more I seek You.” St Catherine of Siena
The Spirit does not erase differences. The Spirit speaks through difference. Pentecost is not uniformity but aids us in understanding.
My Franciscan vocation began with the Seculars, so when the opportunity came for me to serve as a provincial delegate in 2011, I was happy to volunteer. I was in my second assignment after ordination – middle-aged as a person, but young as a friar. This service has been an incredible opportunity for me to grow and exercise our Franciscan charism. At several points, I have been grateful for those who have walked with me in leadership. My connections grew with their support, leading eventually to the positions I have now as OFS Animator for my province and National Spiritual Assistant.
Franciscans live in the midst of the world, in our communities and from our homes. Our witness to the Risen Christ is living in a way that shines out to others: a witness of faithful love through daily life in family and fraternity, neighborhood and workplace; a witness to the struggles for social justice and human dignity; a witness of daily conversion, the willingness to conform our thoughts and actions to those of Jesus.
The invisible God is made visible in Jesus, and becomes present in quieter and purer ways, felt and trusted through us. Jesus sends us His life-giving Spirit who will always stand with us.
The cross unmasks the world’s definition of truth (control, dominance, certainty) and replaces them with a costly self-giving love that does not defend itself.
The abundant life is a matter of the heart. The heart is the sheepfold of abundance. And must be guarded.
And so, Jesus fed the disciples not just with bread, but with Himself: His body, His life, His love, His compassion and strength, His forgiveness and hope, His holy and life-giving spirit.
. In the presence of the Risen Lord in person, Thomas steps forward and makes a most exalted act of faith contained in the Gospel: “My Lord and my God.”