Always With Me

/in /by

                 – Br. Michael, ofm

“You are always with me.” (Luke 15. 31) the father says to the elder son in the parable of the prodigal son. The father is speaking to the sense of security and shelter which has been overlooked or taken for granted. Here the father reminds his son, of all that is his because he has remained present and faithful as his child. He also is reminding his son that he can be as generous as he desires. This is not shocking news for us who have read this parable many times.

 

What stands out for me in this simple line scripture of the dialogue between father and son is the invitation of God. God invites us to awareness whether I am the prodigal son lost in my own world or the elder son blinded to the bounty which is always offered to me. God’s abounding, bountiful and steadfast love always meets us where we are and transforms the heart. Here God is, always with us, with the invitation to step into God’s lavish love which is always extended no matter what. As the prodigal child it is mine to receive again and again. As the elder child it is mine to rediscover again and again. Regardless of which of the two sons we feel we are more like, the love of God declares, “you are always with me.” May this be our constant assurance in the week ahead.

 

God of Lavish Love,

you are always with us,

extending your generosity

and mercy each and every day.

If we feel lost this week

and separated from you

whisper into our ears, “you are always with me.”

If we feel defensive this week

from not feeling seen

whisper into our ears, “you are always with me.”

May our eyes, ears and heart

be opened to where you meet us

each and every day.

Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

Season of Creation: Listening to the Voice of Creation

/in /by

                 – Br. Michael, ofm

 

The Season of Creation begins on September 1 and continues to the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4. It is a season which Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew have implemented and have encouraged. It is a time to not only enjoy the bounty of the earth but also to consider our actions or lack of actions towards safe guarding the environment.

 

Our sister Mother Earth continues to provide for us, and we (selfishly or not) receive her gifts. As we begin this month of listening to the voice of creation, I have to ask myself what am I grateful for in the small part of this sacred ground on which I live? And what is creation inviting me to do to help sustain her? I ask you these same questions as means of reflecting during this season.

 

I am thankful for the colours of sunrise and sunset, for the variety of produce coming in the from the garden, for the cool breezes after warm summer days, for the trees of all kinds and styles, just to name a few.

 

Creation is inviting me to pay attention to her rhythms and cycles, so as to set mine to be more in tune with creation. This is an invitation to use less energy and pay attention to times of rest before producing again.

 

May our common efforts, individual efforts and prayers continue to be a witness of giving glory and praise to our Creator God.

 

Creator God,

you call us co-creators and stewards,

stir up in our hearts

the courage to listen to creation

and so listen to you

in the messages of hope,

sustained life and beauty.

 

Bless those who daily work

for the good of the environment

and bring to our attention the

goodness of Mother Earth.

 

Amen.

 

St. Francis of Assisi – pray for us.

 

 

 

Photo credit: Gabriel Jimenez

World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation

/in /by

Pope Francis declared September 1 as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.

Half-day prayer retreat includes a reflective walk, Eucharist,

time for prayer, and a delicious earth-inspired lunch.

Dress and prepare for the weather. Bring a water bottle and a small day pack.

Cost: $20

 

Register before August 29   403-932-202  mtfrancis@shaw.ca

August Moments

/in /by

                                                          – Br. Michael, ofm

 

The summer sun high in the sky

so warm, strong and bright.

The shades of pink, purple and orange

fill the eye with much delight.

The gentle breeze which greets the day

breathing life and hope along the way.

The produce from Mother Earth

filling buckets and pails with great worth.

Bright blue skies stretch on and on

inviting the traveler to new adventures

suddenly a storm is brewing, rains fall

providing renewal; a much-needed quencher.

In these August summer days

amazed by these gifts, we give praise.

 

August 2022

 

Making a Retreat

/in /by

This past week Mount St. Francis offered its annual summer 8-day Directed Retreat. This reflection by a retreatant captures not only the experience of this particular retreat but of every silent retreat offered. Maybe you will consider attending one.

 – Lesley C. 

The Retreatant                    

The lines on your eyes when you smile,

they beam with joy.

The look on your face when we make

eye contact,

it shines with delight.

The winks your you’re you make in passing,

they speak of your childlike heart.

The gentle steps you take when you walk,

              they exemplify your gentle spirit.

The manner in which you eat your meals,

communicates your heartfelt gratitude.

The way you sit in contemplation,

it shows your attentiveness to the Lord.

The reverence you exhibit in chapel,

it reflects your humility.

Your presence radiates Christ’s grace and beauty.

You, the retreatant, your simple disposition testifies

to the glory of the Lord.

 

While having dinner on the fifth night of my 8-day directed retreat at Mount Saint Francis, I felt drawn to look around the dining room. I noticed how content all the retreatants looked, and they ate their meal with such gratitude. But it wasn’t just during this meal that I noticed their joyful disposition. A full disposition. It was everywhere. Everyone seemed to radiate such beauty and grace. That night I felt invited to write down my impression of them. It is this retreatant’s disposition that I’d like to embody and bring with me back to my day-to-day life.

 

 

 

 

Summer Early Morning

/in /by

                       – Br. Michael, ofm        

Cool summer air

pushes its way

past the boundaries

of the open windows

filling the room with freshness

cradling me

as the sun makes its

warm claim on the day

stirring me.

Breathing in this cool summer air

feeling the warming sun

I am filled with gratitude for

Divine Grace

Divine Love

this near.

I rise from sleep

refreshed

ready to make

my claim on the day.

~~~

Continued Summer Blessings.

 

July 2022

Photo Credit: John-Mark Smith

 

 

God the Restorer and Nourisher Prayer 

/in /by

                       – Br. Michael, ofm

“God shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher…”  – Ruth 4.15

 

You, O God,

Are my restorer of life

like the rain and sun are for the earth.

You are a nourisher

like the variety of foods that fill my plate.

You restore me

awakening in me all that is good and holy,

the truth of who I am.

You nourish me

with your life your life-giving word

and the Body and Blood of Christ your Son.

You restore me

to fullness filling me with hope.

You nourish me

for the journey of today and all days.

With gratitude, I give you praise

and bless your holy name!

Amen.

 

Summer Blessings!

Let us be open to where God is meeting us this summer!

 

Posts will continue to be sporadic over the next few months.

 

Looking for a summer retreat?

Check out our website for details on summer offerings at Mount St. Francis.

 

Photo credit: Mehmet Ali Turan

 

 

 

 

 

             

 

 

 

Called to Life by the Holy Spirit

/in /by

                       – Br. Michael, ofm

The season of Easter is drawing to a close as the great feast of Pentecost draws near. The feast celebrates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in a special way. This feast through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit shows us that community and openness are valuable gifts. It is an invitation to new beginnings and to celebrate our inherent goodness.

In the letter to the Ephesians (1.17-19) we read: “I pray that God… give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know Jesus, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you.”

Each day the Spirit is present in our living, moving, and being. Each day the Spirit infuses us in our vocation and the way we carry ourselves in it. Each day the Spirit enables us to share, serve and create. Each day the Spirit awakens us to the depths that are stirring the soul. Each day the Spirit encourages us in our relationship with Christ, to allow the wisdom and revelation of God to penetrate our living and lead us into the fullness of life. Each day the Spirit asks us to utilize the eyes of the heart and listen well for we are enlightened by God, whether we can see it or not. Each day we are invited to know the hope which is ours, for in Christ hope is our daily blessing.

As the feast of Pentecost draws near and then as we live into the days and months after Pentecost let us ask ourselves:

How am I part of the community?

How do I value others in community?

How open am I to the promptings of the Spirit?

What new beginning am I being asked to consider?

How am I inviting the Holy Spirit into this new beginning?

Where is the Spirit calling me to live, move and be in new ways?

Are the eyes of my heart opened or closed?

Can I trust enough that the Spirit is present if I allow them to be opened?

What signs of hope have I encountered in these weeks of Easter?

What is my prayer to the Holy Spirit?

 

Holy Spirit,

enkindle in us the fire of your love,

stir up in us the valuable gifts you willing share with us,

so that we may continue to be vessels of all that is good

and in turn be a blessing to others.

Amen.

 

Pentecost is the Feast Day for the Franciscans of Canada.

The Holy Spirit is our patron as we continue to preach the gospel in Canada.

We humbly ask for your continued prayers and support.

Peace and All Good.

Photo Credit: Jon Tyson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

             

 

 

 

Awakened to the Generous Peace of Christ 

/in /by

                       – Br. Michael, ofm

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” – John 14.27

 

“I do not give to you as the world gives.” This one little line echoes in my ears and I am grateful. I am grateful that the generosity and peace of Christ are beyond what I imagine and beyond the attempts that we try to establish. Our efforts in living a Christian life are always a desire to reflect Christ, which in itself is noble and worthy. Beyond our noble and worthy attempts and efforts I believe the true generosity and peace of Christ which is refining and purifying is woven into the ordinary. I believe that we catch glimpses of it in our daily lives.

 

Where have you encountered the generosity and peace of Christ?

On a walk? Watching the trees bud out?

Pausing in prayer? Listening to a friend?

At table? Reading scripture? Sipping tea?

Making a pot of soup? In music? With a hug?

 

Our God comes to us in the ordinary so that we may begin to understand that the giving of God which is beyond our comprehension is indeed a daily encounter. One which leads to peace. One which allows us to let go of the troubles we so often let consume our hearts. One which reminds us that fear is not to be our ordinary rather peace hope, transformation and new life are our norms.

 

Christ Risen is among us, offering God’s peace and assuring us his Spirit continually awakens us to these blessings. Let us be attentive this week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

             

 

 

 

Echoes of the Good Shepherd

/in /by

Br. Michael

 

Who doesn’t feel better, knowing there’s someone there who cares for them?

-Siegfried Farnon, All Creatures Great and Small

 

All Creatures Great and Small is based on the true story of a young vet in England in the 1930s. I discovered the current television remake of this show on PBS (thank you PBS) a year ago and have enjoyed both seasons (with my Mom) so far. The simple and yet touching stories of community, relationships, creation, and of the characters moving beyond fears, expectations, and judgments have been like comfort food.

 

The quote from Siegfried, the patriarch of the family, seems to echo the words of Jesus, the Good Shepherd in the gospel of John (10.27-30). There is great comfort in hearing a familiar voice, in being known and knowing we do not walk alone. Who doesn’t like to be cared for and known? This is the gift Christ offers us time and again. Over the course of the two seasons of All Creatures Great and Small, each of the characters has come to discover the gift of being cared for, being reassured by a loving voice, and also being challenged to grow and trust in the unity that makes them a family and community. It echoes the Good Shepherd present with us in our living and being, assuring us and caring for us.

 

Siegfried’s quote also reminds me of the encounter I have had in being a child. I have been privileged to have a Mom (and Grandmas) who have exuded care my whole life. They have been echoes of the Good Shepherd by lending their voice to life-giving words, encouragement to live in life-giving ways, and have shown me how to live in the Way, the Truth, and the Life which is promised to us. It is because of this that I have been able to live out my vocation and hopefully encourage others to live out theirs. As we honor mothers and those who are like mothers to us, I am very much aware of the gift of being cared for and the great sacrifice that takes, it is indeed an echo of Christ the Good Shepherd.

Photo Credit: Rod Long