Check out “Veni Emmanuel: A brief meditation on the meaning of Advent” by John B. Graeber: This short piece published last year in Curator is a great introduction to the liturgical season we’re entering into on November 29. It begins, “Advent is the hope of redemption, sung in minor key. It is the promise of resurrection, and the sorrow of that hope not yet fulfilled. In this the midnight of the liturgical year, these few weeks before we celebrate the birth of Christ, we confront a world not yet reborn and embody what Saint Paul calls the ‘hope against hope,’ a hope that endures when the world says it should not. A hope that looks back to the birth of our savior, and forward to His coming again, when all will be made new.”
From Bishop Sharon Hart
Check out “Veni Emmanuel: A brief meditation on the meaning of Advent” by John B. Graeber: This short piece published last year in Curator is a great introduction to the liturgical season we’re entering into on November 29. It begins, “Advent is the hope of redemption, sung in minor key. It is the promise of resurrection, and the sorrow of that hope not yet fulfilled. In this the midnight of the liturgical year, these few weeks before we celebrate the birth of Christ, we confront a world not yet reborn and embody what Saint Paul calls the ‘hope against hope,’ a hope that endures when the world says it should not. A hope that looks back to the birth of our savior, and forward to His coming again, when all will be made new.”
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By Br Benedict Kelley, OSFM
As Christians, we acknowledge Christ as King of the universe. What is a king? We live in a culture, thankfully, that values democracy. The legendary concept of a king is someone who is all-powerful. Christ certainly fits that description. The universe came into being through God’s divine Word, the eternal Son (Colossians 1:16, John 1:3). God created each of us, giving each human being a soul at the moment of our conception. But let’s think more broadly about the idea of Kingship. A king is a leader. What do we expect from leaders? Traditionally we give to leaders, democratic, royal, whatever, great honor and respect. On the other hand, something we expect from a leader (and don’t always get) is protection and guidance. The Eternal Word has entered into our human condition of uncertainty and suffering to lead us to true life, eternal life. There is in the teaching of Christ, and in His actions, true leadership. Christ gives to the apostles a sure norm for human life, “These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (John 14:25 – 26). This passage is something Christ said at the Last Supper. Three days later, on the first Easter, Christ offers help to the apostles, and through them, the Church, “He breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’” (John 20:22 – 23). There is even more to the help Christ has promised us, but, before we get to that, let’s think about what exactly Christ thought His kingship entailed. Remember the gospel passage where the apostles James and John ask Christ to let them sit on His right and left when He comes into His kingdom (Mark 10:35 – 45, this doesn’t go so well, so they send their mother to ask again Matthew 20:20 – 28). Christ responds that the position, at his right and left, in His glory, will be given by His Heavenly Father. With the insight of God’s revelation to us completed we know who sat on the right and left of Christ in His glory, the two thieves of today’s gospel (Luke 23:35 – 43). The sacrifice of the cross is the mission of Christ. The reason the eternal Son entered into our human condition was to reconcile us to God. He accomplishes that through the sacrifice of the cross. There is no greater possible act of service. Our salvation is the Kingship of Christ. By His resurrection, Christ leads the way for us to heaven, but He is still here. The word of God assures us that Jesus is the source of all Christian life. This is true because it brings us back to the help we receive from Christ our king. The heart of Christ’s kingship is our salvation, but He is still our leader. We really need to think about what He wants us to do. The teaching of Christ we receive from the Church is a reliable guide for authentic and full life. Christ is here to strengthen and guide us on our Christian journey. The central message Christ shows us in His kingship is that authentic life is love lived as self-giving. As citizens of His kingdom, we are called to imitate. Prayer to Christ the King of Glory! O Lord our God, You alone are the Most Holy King and Ruler of all nations. We pray to You, Lord, in the great expectation of receiving from You, O Divine King, mercy, peace, justice and all good things. Protect, O Lord our King, our families and the land of our birth. Guard us we pray Most Faithful One. Protect us from our enemies and from Your Just Judgment. Forgive us, O Sovereign King, our sins against you. Jesus, You are a King of Mercy. We have deserved Your Just Judgment Have mercy on us, Lord, and forgive us. We trust in Your Great Mercy. O most awe-inspiring King, we bow before You and pray; May Your Reign, Your Kingdom, be recognized on earth. Amen. By Br. Benedict Kelley, OSFM
With Thanksgiving approaching this month, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the significance of gratitude in the Christian faith. The Bible contains over 150 verses about gratitude, and countless more reflecting a general attitude of praise to the Lord. Why do we give thanks to God, and why is it important? We give thanks, first and foremost, because it is God’s will that we do so. God’s Word is replete with exhortations to thanksgiving, both in the Old and New Testaments, and especially in the Psalms: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6 – Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God Psalm 118:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his mercy endures forever. It is God who has created us and sustains us; God has provided for our salvation through His sacrifice, has given us grace, and shown us love. As God’s love for us is unconditional and everlasting, so too should our gratitude be never-ceasing, regardless of our temporal circumstances. Hebrews 12:28 – Therefore, we who are receiving the unshakable kingdom should have gratitude, with which we should offer worship pleasing to God in reverence and awe. James 1:17 – [A]ll good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change. Gratitude: An Appropriate Response Gratitude is the appropriate response to God our Creator, Lord, and Savior, who, in His goodness, redeems and sustains us. Conversely, ingratitude is at the heart of sin, associated with those who are in rebellion against God, as the Scriptures say: Romans 1:21 – For although they knew God they did not accord him glory as God or give him thanks. Instead, they became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless minds were darkened. Following Christ’s Example of Thankfulness By practicing an attitude of thanksgiving in our daily lives, believers follow the model set by Jesus himself, who expressed gratitude to the Father throughout His life and ministry (Matthew 26:27; Mark 14:23; Luke 22:17–19; 1 Corinthians 11:24). It is for this reason that the Eucharist begins with a prayer of Thanksgiving, after the example of Jesus at the Last Supper. As Pope Francis has remarked: Gratitude is always a powerful weapon. Only if we are able to contemplate and feel genuine gratitude for all those ways we have experienced God’s love, generosity, solidarity and trust, as well as his forgiveness, patience, forbearance and compassion, will we allow the Spirit to grant us the freshness that can renew… our life and mission. Like Peter on the morning of the miraculous draught of fishes, may we let the recognition of all the blessings we have received awaken in us the amazement and gratitude that can enable us to say: ‘Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man’ (Luke 5:8). Only then to hear the Lord repeat his summons: ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be fishers of men’ (Luke 5:10). ‘For his mercy endures forever.’ May the Word of the Lord strengthen your own devotion and inspire you to practice gratitude in your life. As you give thanks to the Lord for His good and perfect gifts, let us alway remember to live in a spirit of praise and thanksgiving! Prayer of Thanksgiving Eternal and loving heavenly Father scripture says that we should enter your gates with Thanksgiving and your courts with praise, as we enter this season of giving thanks we lay before you our hearts of gratitude for all of the wonderful blessings that you have bestowed upon us, and we thank you for your merciful love and kindness. Lord we ask that you anoint us with the oil of gladness so that we may always be your witness, bearing your good news as we dedicate to preaching with our lives and using words when necessary. Be with us lord and fill us with the abundance of your love so that we shall forever glorify your most holy and glorious name.. In Jesus name we make this prayer, Amen! A prayer for all the veterans.
"Almighty God, You know every veteran by name. You know their deeds, their hard work, and their perseverance. You know their needs, both material and spiritual. Please draw each one closer to you and grant them all the peace that passes understanding, the peace of Christ to rule in their hearts, and ‘joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand’ forevermore." Thank you for your service. May you have a blessed day. From Br. Benedict Kelley, OSFM
Greetings, As I began to reflect on the changes that the natural seasons bring, I couldn't help but also reflect on the shift of the spiritual season as well. As the month of October fades into the month of November we are immediately faced with two days of prayer and commemoration where we recall the lives of the "Holy Ones" who have gone before us. We are faced with the memory of our beloved dead, as we call out unto the ages asking God that they may all rest in the abundance of peace that they rightly deserve. This year my heart goes out to the countless lives that were lost due to the coronavirus pandemic, my heart goes out to the lives that were lost due to senseless acts of violence, my heart goes out to the poor and abandoned if our society who died alone. Just as we have a lot to be thankful for, we also have a lot to pray for! Please join me as we embark upon this special time of prayer and remembrance, to daily recall the lives of so many gone before us and give thanks and praise to God for the wonderful blessing of the most precious gift ever given, the gift of life! St. Francis and St. Clare Pray for us.. Amen! |
AuthorFranciscan Musings is the collective blog of the members of the OSFM. Here, our brothers and sisters and friends of the OSFM share their reflections on their Franciscan experiences and their Christian journeys. Archives
September 2022
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