Prophetic Creativity: Questions for Discussions at the Regional Level

The following questions are meant to be used in association with an article written by Jan Parker, OFS National Minister, on Prophetic Creativity. Click this link to find the article. Question #1: “The function of servant leaders………is not limited to administration or bureaucracy but, most importantly, applies to.………the full realization of the Secular Franciscan life…….”Continue reading “Prophetic Creativity: Questions for Discussions at the Regional Level”

A Call to Prophetic Creativity

This article has been reprinted in its entirety from the Winter 2021 issue (Issue 102) of TAU-USA magazine. Its author is Jan Parker, OFS, the National Minister. (TAU-USA is a publication of the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order.) For discussion questions on this article, click here. As Clare once said to Agnes, “LetContinue reading “A Call to Prophetic Creativity”

Journey thru John, Chapter 13: On Loving as He Loved

Chapter 13 opens with the story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples.  As we have already touched on, John’s gospel is a departure from the synoptic gospels where the Passion is concerned.  We are in the scene of the last supper, but there is no blessing of bread and wine, no initiation ofContinue reading “Journey thru John, Chapter 13: On Loving as He Loved”

Exalted: How the Power of the Magnificat Can Transform Us (Book Review)

Sometime last fall I was on a short trip to French Lick, IN, where we have a small house that is due to be renovated as an Air B&B for summer use and winter escape. Most people would not think of southern Indiana as a location for winter escape, but when you live in northernContinue reading “Exalted: How the Power of the Magnificat Can Transform Us (Book Review)”

On Saying Yes: Mary’s Magnificat

In the last post in this series, I noted how I had prepared to write about Mary’s “yes” by going back to the first Chapter of Luke to review the story of the Annunciation.  As part of the process, I read the verses on the Annunciation and then expanded my reading to the entire chapterContinue reading “On Saying Yes: Mary’s Magnificat”

Journey thru John, Chapter 12: Maturing from Following into Service

Do you know what nard is?  I did not, so I looked it up.  It is a plant that is native to the Himalayan Mountains of Nepal, China, and India.  Its use as a perfume, a medicinal plant, and for religious ceremonies goes back well before the time of Jesus.  It was a valuable importContinue reading “Journey thru John, Chapter 12: Maturing from Following into Service”

Mary and Zechariah: Saying “Yes” from a Position of Spiritual Poverty

I have recently spent considerable time in my prayer life and spiritual reading considering Mary’s “yes.”  But in order to begin writing what I expect will be multiple posts on this topic, I decided to go back to the initial source of the story, the Gospel of Luke, Chapter One.   The story of the AnnunciationContinue reading “Mary and Zechariah: Saying “Yes” from a Position of Spiritual Poverty”