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”
Author Archives: Tim Short
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”
The Vice Presidential Debate, Part I
In the first post of the series entitled “The Things I Wish They’d Say,” I said this: “I have been disappointed by all politics for a long time now. In their absolute quest for earthly power and dominance, both parties are wildly inconsistent. Neither captures the true tenor of how I view the world.” NothingContinue reading “The Vice Presidential Debate, Part I”
6: True and Perfect Joy
Please read the following passages multiple times: The Little Flowers of St. Francis, Chapter VIII, How St. Francis Set Forth to Friar Leo Where Perfect Joy Was to be Found The Writings of Francis of Assisi: The Undated Writings, True and Perfect Joy Then focus on the following: ………. if we bear all these injuries withContinue reading “6: True and Perfect Joy”
5: The Life of St. Francis by Thomas of Celano, the Second Book, Chapters 8 through 10
Read the chapters (pages 277 to 287) multiple times. Then focus on this passage from chapter nine: The whole city of Assisi rushed down as a group and the entire region hurried to see the wonderful works of God which the Lord of majesty gloriously displayed in his holy servant……………People considered it a great giftContinue reading “5: The Life of St. Francis by Thomas of Celano, the Second Book, Chapters 8 through 10”
OFS Ongoing 