– Br. Michael, ofm

Feast of Saint Ann and Saint Joachim

Elizabeth and Martin, Raymonde and Francois, Margaret and Lawrence, Phil, Sr. Mag, Laura and Fred, Joyce and Art, Martha, Rose, and Dot. These are the ancestors who have “left behind a name” in my life who I recall on this Feast of Saint Ann and Saint Joachim the savta and saba; the grandparents of Jesus. I do so declaring their praise (Sirach 44.1) for the impact they have had on my life.

The beautiful gift about a Feast Day such as this one of Saints Ann and Joachim, is it reminds us we come from story, from birth to death story is part of the fabric of who we are. The people we share this life with, the ancestors and elders such as Laura and Fred and Rose and Dot in my life, are storytellers helping to unfold the mystery of the love of God. All of us are story tellers, and we are woven into the great story of Christ. Like his Grandparents Ann and Joachim, our lives intersect into the story of Jesus as we carry forth the blessings of seeing and hearing the good news on this side of the resurrection.

Jesus the great storyteller continually invites us into the deeper story of God’s love. I would like to imagine he was taught story not only from his parents but also from his grandparents. As his grandparents told him stories of the great ancestors of faith, the mighty journey of prophets and sages, and shared with him the wisdom of elders both women and men from his story, he must have caught glimpses of his Abba’s love and presence.

My grandparents Elizabeth and Martin and Raymonde and Francois were amazing storytellers. I can recall as a child being captivated as they told story making everything bigger than my small life, as an adult I came to appreciate their wisdom. Their eyes sparkled and their words flowed easily as they shared stories of our ancestors, travels to Canada, updates on relatives, and spoke of their own journeys of faith and serving others. The story of their own lives woven into my own, as “their name lives on generation after generation.”

As I prepare to gather with family members to celebrate the legacy or the shoots which have sprouted up of Elizabeth and Martin. I can’t help but think of how their witness to Christ is woven into our family – even if not all the members can see it, the grace of God has been made known and is present. It causes me to ponder again: How am I telling my story? How are our stories speaking Christ into the world?

The words of Jesus to his disciples about blessed are ears and eyes which hear and see, are an invitation to each one of us and our stories. We have a responsibility to respond to God’s gifts poured into our lives and to be aware of the graces of God. When we do so, we see how our story and our journey is blessed. Blessed because Christ meets us and blesses us whether we are learning to walk as the poor in spirit or in mourning, with meekness or in our hungering for righteousness. Whether it is in the way we share mercy or are rooted in purity, or in the way we share peace or struggle with persecution. Our story is part of the ongoing story which is and will be told of how God is present in our day.

Who are the grandparents and elders who have been witness for you? Who are the ancestors who declared Christ in your life? Who are the wise ones who need to have their praises sung? Which grandparent or elder are you remembering today?

God, these are ancestors we remember and honor today on the feast of Saint Ann and Saint Joachim, the grandparents of Jesus. We entrust them to your tender care and mercy. We thank you for their witness of Christ your Son and the way they shared their stories, their faith, their gifts and embraced your grace. We hold them close and trust they continue to walk with us in holiness; blessed among your holy ones. Amen.

Photo Credit: Paolo Bendandi

                                                                                                                                                                                            – Br. Michael, ofm

I will bless your name forever my God,

for you are the author of life,

abundant in goodness,

rich in blessings,

generous in love

in every season.

I will bless your name forever my God,

for it is woven into all of life,

from bees and watermelons,

cities and forest groves,

humanity and relationships

in every time and place.

I will bless your name forever my God,

for you meet me in the struggles,

guide me in ways everlasting,

show me true delights and wonder,

know the honest beating of my heart

in every moment.

I will bless your name forever my God,

for your name is declared

with morning songs of the birds,

in the quiet pauses in the evening,

when work must be done

in every season and time.

I will bless your name forever my God,

for summer bursts forth its fullness,

autumn shows its transforming depths,

winter weaves its warmth,

spring speaks of freshness and life

in every place and moment.

I will bless your name forever my God.

– inspired by Psalm 145

Photo Credit: Thomas Park

                                       – Br. Michael, ofm

For Us and For All

Living

now and here,

Closeness

my heart a home,

Feasting

always a banquet.

Bread of Life

nourishment for the journey,

Cup of Salvation

grace and peace pored out,

Eucharist

a thankful uplifted heart.

Banquet

all are welcome,

Intimate

transforming and renewing,

Life

for all the world.

Jesus,

you give yourself

freely in abundance

today, tomorrow and forever.

Jesus,

you invite us

to share you

today, tomorrow and forever.

Jesus,

you are food

for us and for all

today, tomorrow and forever.

Amen.

Photo Credit: Morgan Winston

Pentecost Is Not The End

– Br. Michael, ofm

Pentecost is so often looked at as one day, a bleep in the liturgical calendar, a reminder the Easter Season is over. If this is all we see Pentecost as we are robbing ourselves of the beauty of being caught up in the divine love of our Triune God.

Pentecost is a shift in our living. It is a statement to the way we live as Easter people as we live out our baptismal promises. If we profess the living Christ then Pentecost is the fuel which continually awakens us to Christ with us. It also awakens us to not only our gifts and abilities, but also to changes we must make in our living and how God continually meets us and strengthens us to make these changes.

Pentecost was not just a one-day event with flames and a dove and a variety of languages. It was a launching point for the ongoing mission of Jesus Christ. This mission is of justice, inclusion, freedom, forgiveness, peace, community and the depth of love. It was not just for Peter and the twelve those fifty days after the resurrection of Christ, it is still now and for us.

Pentecost is more than the birthday of the church. It is envisioning of how the church is to be, such as “all together,” “filled,” “amazed and astonished,” “renewing,” “for the common good” and “sent.”* These descriptors should stir up in us questions we must ask ourselves. How are we utilizing our variety of gifts and services to build up the “one body” of the church? How are we aiding to the fullness of the common good in this “same God” who calls all people to life in the Spirit? Where are we noticing the amazing, astonishing, and renewing work of the Spirit in our daily living or are we even taking time to be amazed, astonished and renewed with goodness? Or are we too caught up in what we call the busyness of life?

Pentecost sends us forth, as followers of Christ to bear witness to the splendour of God with us. In his parting moments with the disciples Jesus offered them peace, reminded them they are sent in his name, and breathed on them – the very breath of life (the Holy Spirit). Their work was to pass this on to followers then and we now have inherited their mission and pick up what is ours to do in this age. The Spirit is with us, let us not hesitate or delay as we “journey from hope to clear vision” (from Solemn Blessing).

Blessings to you as we step into this time of Pentecost.

The Franciscans of Canada mark Pentecost as our Feast Day as we are the Holy Spirit Province Saint-Esprit. We continue to humbly ask for your prayers and support.

* see the assigned Lectionary scriptures for Pentecost

Photo Credit: Jenny Le