The relationship between Poverty, Penance, and the “world” is a common theme in most of the reflections I write. Whenever I need to define either Poverty or Penance, I invariably do so in reference to the word “world.” I like to suggest that in the Franciscan charism the core practice of both Poverty and PenanceContinue reading “Leisure as Opposition to the World”
Author Archives: Tim Short
The Tension Between Work and Leisure
In the first reflection, I asserted that the ancients and the Greeks had a different definition of the word “leisure” than the one we use today. I also asserted that the definition advanced by the Greeks would have been identical to the one understood by Francis. It sometimes shocks me how the Franciscan sources neverContinue reading “The Tension Between Work and Leisure”
Rediscovering the Meaning of Leisure
Psalm 46:10 The Lord says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” _____________________ If I were to ask someone for a contemporary definition of the word “leisure,” they would probably respond with something like this: “Leisure is free time meant to be usedContinue reading “Rediscovering the Meaning of Leisure”
Canticle of the Creatures: The Flow of Creation
Genesis 1:14-19 And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. God made two greatContinue reading “Canticle of the Creatures: The Flow of Creation”
The Canticle of the Creatures: Context
As we start a new year, we are also starting a new series for Ongoing Formation. January 2025 marks the start of the third of four consecutive Centenary years that are being observed across the entire Franciscan family. The first year focused on the Later Rule and the Christmas celebration at Greccio. The second onContinue reading “The Canticle of the Creatures: Context”
Petition and Supplication
Introduction:The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.– Amen. God, come to my assistance:– Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: -As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Hymn: Just a Closer WalkContinue reading “Petition and Supplication”
Thanksgiving and Praise
Invitatory:The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit-Amen. Lord, open my lips.-And my mouth shall praise your name. Antiphon: He is my God and my Shepherd, and I will follow His Way. In the morning, Lord, I will pray to you. I will place myself before you and hope in your Mercy. Please, Lord, hearContinue reading “Thanksgiving and Praise”
The Good News of the Incarnation
The Story of Greccio from The Life of St. Francis by Thomas of Celano, Chapter XXX (A program for use in Fraternity Meetings or other similar settings.) Opening Hymn: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel; That mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear.Continue reading “The Good News of the Incarnation”
What if Unity is Impossible?
When I first published something under the heading “The Things I Wish They’d Say,” I was experimenting. I had written a short story, or the beginning of a longer story, and I wasn’t sure if it belonged as part of this website. As part of the experiment, I posted it not as a blog entry,Continue reading “What if Unity is Impossible?”
The Vice Presidential Debate, Part II
As it happens, the next topic of the debate was “America’s gun violence epidemic.” In the clip, you will hear Norah O’Donnell introduce the topic, then ask JD Vance a specific question about whether or not parents should be held liable for a child who engages in a school shooting. Senator Vance does a niceContinue reading “The Vice Presidential Debate, Part II”
OFS Ongoing 