Promises Made, Promises Kept
Many of us, who may have spent years living with our spouse, have been reminded of our matrimonial promise….to love, honor, and cherish. In sickness and health, for better or for worse, till death do we part.
Many of us, who may have spent years living with our spouse, have been reminded of our matrimonial promise….to love, honor, and cherish. In sickness and health, for better or for worse, till death do we part.
In my home, visitors see religious articles throughout. These include a crucifix by the entrance of most of our rooms. My office has all my Franciscan images along with my framed profession certificate. In our primary bedroom, we have a collage of religious art across from the chairs where I often sit to pray.
Mientras escribo esto, estoy de vuelta a los Estados Unidos desde Roma después de asistir a una reunión del Secretariado de Formación Internacional de la CIOFS. Trabajar con mis hermanos y hermanas ha sido una experiencia tan positiva y enriquecedora que comencé a reflexionar sobre por qué sería así.
As I write this, I am on my way home from Rome after attending a meeting of the CIOFS International Formation Secretariat. Working with my brothers and sisters has been such a positive and uplifting experience that I began to think about why this would be so.
Our lives are not our own. We are called to give over our lives in service to others. Pope Francis inspires us to find ways to reach across the boundaries of all Christian faiths. “Our borders should be windows, not barriers of division,” he challenges.
This is Leap Year and as we approach that extra day on Feb. 29 I urge you to pay close attention to what might cause your soul to leap as you come to encounter the crucified Jesus, and the results of His resurrection.
The gentle journey to profession in the Secular Franciscan Order opened my heart’s pathway to listen to Jesus’ GPS and participate in the experiences He had prepared along the journey.
“How will you respond to someone new that comes into your path? How will you present Jesus in your heart to them?”
During December we ardently await and long for God’s presence. We yearn for God’s son Jesus to come among us in peace and joy. In Advent we are hoping and wishing that we are ready for the coming of the Christ Child.
The idiom “You can’t take it with you” encourages all to enjoy life now because we can’t take money or possessions with us when we die. It appears that Jesus in Luke 12:13-21 may be advocating for us to spend our money and use up our possessions.