Reflections from A Mount St. Francis Armchair

Over the past 75 years countless retreatants have sat in the chairs gazing out the windows of The Mount. In the stillness of a weekend, in the silence of time shared the heart is opened and we hear differently. Often, one tries to find ways to express it. The following is a reflection written by a recent retreatant.

 

It is early morning,

the rays of light illuminates

the tips of the Rockies.

 

I reflect on those around me

that have made a lasting impact to me.

It brings me to a point of why me…

why have I been graced with so much love?

 

I have pondered this question many times in my life

and keep coming back to it… why me?

It is at the heart of my view on relationships

and the compassion that can exist

if we only open ourselves to allow love to grow and be shared.

 

When people love one another,

their kindness and compassion

transform the world around them…

It has the power

to heal wounds,

bridge divides,

and inspire true acts

of generosity and selflessness.

Where love is shared freely,

even the smallest gestures

can make a profound impact,

often reminding us of the beauty

in human connection

and the strength we find in one another.

May we embrace our differences

and treasure each others’ gifts …

by loving one another today and always.

 

During this weekend,

I hope that I can reflect on what I been given today,

those who have entered into my life

and also, to remember those in my heart.

 

It is my own uniqueness and affection

that contributes to a world

that can be a wonderful place to live in.

 

Know this … you have been given a gift to love

and if not shared, it is wasted.

Always remember, you are loved.

 

– Bill M.

A Prayer for Ordinary Time

God of the Journey,
You are with us in the rhythms of our days:
dishes to wash, beds to make, emails to send,
meals to cook, games to play, people to visit,
snow to shovel, deliveries to make, prayers to pray.
Draw our hearts to be attentive
to where you are in these regular rhythms.

God of the Journey,
You are with us in the standout moments of our days:
baptisms, weddings, funerals,
birthdays, anniversaries, reunions,
engagements, promotions, retirements.
Draw our hearts to be attentive
to where you are in these extraordinary rhythms.

God of the Journey,
You are with us in the journey all the days of our life
on a weekday, weekend, high day or a low day
for you are our hope.
We are pilgrims with our compass set to you
draw our hearts to be attentive
to where you are in this Ordinary Time.
Amen.

Photo Credit: Alexei Scutari

A Prayer for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Jesus,
Your baptism is always an invitation for us.
An invitation to see you in the every day of our living.
An invitation to profess you with our living.
An invitation to claim the dignity
of being a beloved one of God in our living.
An invitation to the awareness of the presence of
Your Father and your Spirit at work in our living.
An invitation to live out our baptismal call
to be messengers of hope in our living.
An invitation to thankfulness and praise for you
who are our way, our truth and our life.
May we be courageous enough to live from our belovedness.
Amen.

 

Photo Credit: Alex Shute

 

 

A Prayer for Epiphany

“We have seen his star in the East and have come with gifts to adore the Lord.” – Matthew 2.2

God of all Nations,
your Son born for us all,
was adored by Magi from distant lands.

Like the Magi we come before the crib
with our gifts and our lives.
May the gifts of our talents and treasures
be for the good of all and the glory of your name
as this new year unfolds.
May the gift of our life
be a witness of generosity and kindness
for all are our sisters and brothers.
May the gifts we received and gave this Christmas
be a reminder to share with those in need
in all the seasons of this year.

As we adore the Child in the Manger
we give ourselves and our lives,
we surrender them to you,
the Great Gift-Giver.

As we present our gifts
we humbly ask you to
gift and bless us with
hope, peace,
joy, and love
today and always.
Amen.

 

Happy New Year – Jubilee 2025!

 

Photo Credit: Marcel Eberle

A Prayer for Christmas

 

“We should make a dwelling place within ourselves where God can stay.”

– St. Francis of Assisi

God With Us
Jesus – our Emmanuel,
praise is on our lips,
for you are born
here and now again
in our hearts.

As we gather at the manger
your hope fills us,
your peace comforts us,
your joy stirs us,
your love meets us.

May we carry these gifts into the days ahead
and share them with all those we meet,
especially those who do not know your
hope – peace – joy – love.

As we celebrate your birth among us,
we sing with the angels,
we pause with the shepherds,
we adore with the magi,
we draw near with the animals,
for we trust,
we even dare to believe
you do truly
dwell among us.

As we share gifts,
gather at table,
greet friends and neighbors,
and celebrate the season,
remind us you were born in a manger
– simple and humble.

May this simplicity and humility
help us to see you
in all which is now Christmas time.

From the manger
we are awakened
to our call as your people
to bring good news,
bind up broken hearts,
proclaim liberty,
comfort mourners,
and declare
your hope – peace – joy and love
this season and in all seasons.

From the manger
to our everyday
may we be witnesses
of you among us.
Amen.

A Blessed and Merry Christmas from the Friars and Staff at The Mount!

As we enter into this Jubilee Year as Pilgrims of Hope

may you know much peace and goodness.

 

 

Photo Credit: Mustafa Turhan

Advent and Christmas Prayers by Br. Michael, ofm

A Prayer For Advent Week 4

“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb.”

– Luke 1.41

 

God of Love,

This season of Advent is slipping away

and we are once again at the threshold of

celebrating the light of your love Jesus

– our Emmanuel and Savior born for us.

 

In these limited Advent days

may we be attentive

to how your love

meets us, encourages us,

restores us and heals us.

 

When the darkness seems too much

meet us with the light of your love.

 

When the hurts of past try to rob us

meet us with the light of your love.

 

When the imperfections and incomplete

are made known in the days ahead

meet us with the light of your love.

 

When the expectations and demands

leave us drained

meet us with the light of your love.

 

When the voices around us are not kind

or do not know the true gift of this season

meet us with the light of your love.

 

When we come to the manger

with the simple gift of who we are

meet us with the light of your love,

and lead us to share

the light of your love with others.

 

Amen.

 

 

Photo Credit: Jan Hruska

 

 

A Prayer for Advent Week 3

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.”
– Luke 4.18

God of Joy,
Our hearts are lifted up
as the Advent days grow shorter,
for we know you are so near.

Your joy is bigger than smiles shared,
gifts given and homes decorated.
Your joy is the depth of the heart.
Your joy sustains us in trials and struggles.
Your joy is the rejoicing of the good and holy.
Your joy reminds us of your delight in us.

As we journey in this Advent week,
we trust your joy will meet us no matter the journey.
We trust your joy is transforming our hearts,
allowing us to let go of false expectations and gimmicks.
We trust your joy is at work in us,
in our tasks, our duties
and gatherings with others.

Your joy is echoed in the words of Mary,
as she declares your goodness in hearing
the invitation to do your will.

May we be attentive to your invitations this week.

May we also declare:
“my soul magnifies”
and “my spirit rejoices,”
trusting this will guide us
to the true joy
at the Bethlehem Manger.
Amen.

 

A Prayer for Advent Week 2

“Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” – Luke 3.5-6

God of Peace,
Our world is so topsy-turvy
it always has been,
and yet you promise us
peace which is everlasting.

Our hearts may feel anything but peaceful
during this Advent time.
We have things to do,
people to see,
gifts to wrap,
and cookies to bake.
When our to do list grows too big
gently remind us
you came among us
to be our peace.

Your peace
is the deepest longing
in our heart.
Your peace
is what settles
our worries and fears.
Your peace
is always present
even when we do not know it.

As we settle into this season
may we be aware of those
who do not know peace and your peace:
those who are at war
and those who live in war zones,
those who are restless and disturbed
and those who feel helpless,
those who are isolated and alone
and those who are on the edge,
those who are hungry and homeless
and those who are seeking community.

Fill our hearts with your peace
so we may be messengers of peace
in our actions and in our words
in this season and beyond.

Your invitation to peace is the instrument
shaping our Advent path to the manger
where we meet the Prince of Peace.
Amen.

Photo Credit: Joanna Kosinska

A Prayer for Advent Week 1 – Br. Michael, ofm

“Stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” – Luke 21.28

God of Hope,
The countdown Advent days have begun
and the frantic pace is settling in.
In these days of preparation when
demands seem more,
needs seem high,
and expectations seem otherworldly,
let us settle into hope.

Your hope, O God,
is not of gifts wanted,
chores done,
or cookies baked.
Your hope is about the movement of the heart,
how light settles into us this season,
and how we carry this light
as hope-bearers on the way to the manger.

In these Advent days
fill us with your hope, O God,
for it is the anchor of faith
and the response of love.
As each Advent day disappears
may we be renewed
as pilgrims on the way
to the Bethlehem crib.

Guide us, O God,
in your ways of hope
so, the frantic pace
may know moments of pause,
the demands
gain perspective,
the needs
met with kindness,
and the expectations
seen in perspective.

In this Advent season
we will gather with family and friends
in these moments
stir up in our hearts
hope
which leads us to the manger (not the malls)
where we will meet the Child
– our true and lasting Hope.
Amen.

 

 

Photo Credit: René Porter

 

A Prayer for the Week of Christ the King

Christ the King,

a humble servant,

a faithful companion,

a hope bearer

you truly show us

what it means to be a king.

 

Christ the King,

you who are

The Way

The Truth

The Life

guide us in the ways

of your kingdom.

 

Christ the King,

as this year draws to a close

instill in us your peace,

pour on us your mercy,

fill us with your love,

so we may be builders with you

of your everlasting kingdom.

 

Christ the King,

in a world which seems so uncertain,

guide us in kingdom actions,

so your kingdom may come here in certainty,

knowing it is solid and secure.

 

Christ the King,

we come to you with hearts full of praise

today, tomorrow and forever.

Amen.