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”
Tag Archives: jesus
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”
2: “I am the Resurrection and the Life”
John 11:17-37 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meetContinue reading “2: “I am the Resurrection and the Life””
1: The Death of Lazarus
By way of introduction, this formation path contains six short reflections prepared for use during the Centenary Celebration of the Stigmata of St. Francis taking place in calendar year 2024, which is precisely 800 years after the actual event, which took place in 1224. The first two entries come from a series of reflections forContinue reading “1: The Death of Lazarus”
OFS Ongoing 