The following scripture passages are from the Feast of St. Francis (Oct. 4) celebration. As part of the Mt. Irenaeus Franciscan Sojourners ideal of bringing the spirit of the Mountain into our daily lives, Fr. Dan Riley, OFM, reflects on the feast day’s readings below. As is the Mountain model of praying and sharing with one another, we are welcomed to join in reflection with Fr. Dan and one another through the blog comments that follow his commentary. Sirach 50: 1,3-4,6-7
Simon the high priest, the son of Onias, who in his life repaired the house again, and in his days fortified the temple. And by him was built from the foundation the double height, the high fortress of the wall about the temple. In his days the cistern to receive water, being in compass as the sea, was covered with plates of brass. He took care of the temple that it should not fall, and fortified the city against besieging. He was as the morning star in the midst of a cloud, and as the moon at the full. As the sun shining upon the temple of the most High, and as the rainbow giving light in the bright clouds.
Galatians 6: 14-18
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God. Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
Matthew 11: 25-30
At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
You are with me as I sit in Devereux Hall today reflecting on the readings for the Feast of Francis and connecting with you and others who are members of the Bona/Franciscan family. The readings have their own light about them as we celebrate this early October Feast.Both the Sirach and Galatians readings ask us to break out of the confines of our past experiences and institutional practices to open again to God’s glory, God’s enlivening presence today breaking in on us right now.
“Not circumcision or non-circumcision,” by definition, means anything other than becoming, being “in the new creation” who is Christ, present to us in God’s word and world.
We are called today by Jesus to leave our burdens and to be born up by God and be, as Paul says, “created anew” in Christ to bear new life to others in what is otherwise a dark and dreary world. We are the ones who can help them shine and see that they are shining already as a moist leaf, a wet frog or a bright rainbow.
Romantic - no, romance – yes, we are called into it. The rich, wonderful relationship that Francis, Clare and others risked – the Gospel, the Good News, that we are all child like, called to see again this day with the eyes of children and lead each other to the loving God.
Foolish – yes, in the world’s eyes, but not in the eyes of a child of God. We see each other differently and so find what is sometimes “hidden” as the very path that helps us make peace within our own lives, with our families, and the world.
Some of you who read this have children, or are often enough near children, to know the joy of their seeing things as a child does. Free … “the wet and wildness” of life they and we love!
Recently, upon hearing a child speak, I realized how children often are still free to “see,” they are not yet confined by adult logic or assumptions that put off God’s reign and make us often dreary adults. A child’s imagination, our choice to sit among and not look down upon a child, the child within each one of us, asks us to have the sense of being “child like” and, as Matthew's Gospel invites me and you and well, to turn to the “Father” again today, the one who lifts us up on a lap that helps us leave our labors long enough to find new life.
What has me rushing ahead rather than lingering long enough to see things differently? What has me hear this passage in Matthew as romance rather than knowing that something bright and glorious is truly “hidden” from my sight at this moment, but here for me to see so much that I will be taken beyond the confines of this life, taken into a new, deeper and brighter life enlivened enough to shine with new life for others in this world?
Stop now and, like a child, look at the frog on the path or one of your own children or the rainbow which, in its own wet wildness is now “shining” (as Sirach would say) with new life.
Something is with each of us that would invite us to hear and see differently and be unburdened to live a new life as Francis did for others and for the Church.
Enjoy the readings given us for the Feast of St. Francis and find your way walking in them for there is a light shining in these readings that will help and you and I smile upon the world as a child seeing it for the first time, brand new!
I invite you to share with all of us what may be stirring in your hearts during this celebration of Francis in our lives and the gift of God’s holy word (click "Post a Comment" below to share).
-- Dan Riley, OFM
(Mt. Irenaeus Web Site)
Posts
Most of my time is spent with and for children, and I revile in their thoughts and perspectives. They make what I do possible. I truly benefit from viewing the world through their eyes, for most each day brings a new wonder and for those who have lost that vision a calling and dedication for us to help them and ourselves regain that which we have lost “to turn to the “Father” again today, the one who lifts us up on a lap that helps us leave our labors long enough to find new life.”
ReplyDeleteCK
Thank you, Mt. I friends, for this beautiful gift on this beautiful day. What a wonderful way to be present in our day! Ann McCarthy
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Saint Michael's as we join with our friends at Bonas and the Mountain on this most holiest of days. This afternoon at 12:15 the Edmundite fathers will lead the community in the "Assisi Peace Pledge" on the steps of our chapel. Francis has always enjoyed a special place in our hearts.
ReplyDeleteThank you to everyone for your gifts, prayers and love.
Peace, Mike New
I'm struck by how powerfully this message has hit me today. Just yesterday I was out jogging around a beautiful lake near my home and these adorable little chipmunks kept darting across the path in front of me. A "child-like" desire in me wanted to avert from the path and follow them into the woods, (they seemed so cheerful and determined, like they were on a mission and happy about it)but I didn't follow them. I stayed on the path I was on and finished my run. In the same respect, last week I was outside barbequing with my family and I had placed my 8 month old nephew on the grass so I could flip the burgers on the grill. Now Joey isn't very fond of grass for some reason, but when he started to cry instead of picking him up I found myself doing handstands and cartwheels on the grass to entertain him. At first he looked at me perplexed, but then started to smile and eventually giggle in that most precious way that only children can. I remember thinking at that time, "Why don't I do this more often?" I used to love going out by myself and just flipping around the yard; it used to bring me so much joy. Now I suppose it would seem silly, or some might even say "child-like" making the term almost negatively connotated. I wonder when does this shift in our lives occur? Why do we stop chasing after chipmunks or doing a random cartwheel, what is holding us back? Fr. Dan's wonderful reflection inspires in me a renewed desire to not let the very adult worries of today inhibit my ability to view the amazing world around me through the lens of a child. Thank you for your spirited words and always managing to say exactly what I need to hear. :)
ReplyDeleteAndrea K.
cramped in the office behind a computer while the beautiful day passes by, i'm remined of St. Francis days at Bonas and Mt in the past. my challenge is to feel and be beyond the burdens of wht work i must do, to experience joy with the people i can be with. its said that a child has several days in a day (crying in the morning, happyin the afternoon...). i want to also.
ReplyDeleteHow I needed to read this today! Working with challenging children now, it is easy to get caught up in the challenges rather than learning from and enjoying the uniqueness of each one. Thank you, Fr. Dan and the Sojourners, for this opportunity to have a "Mountain moment" in my own home. I hope this wonderful practice continues.
ReplyDeleteIn peace,
Sue Besecker
It's nice to read everyone's reflections after a day full of very adult meetings, phone calls and email correspondence. It's no coincidence that my favorite part of the day is coming home and goofing around with my girls. Reading today's word and your comments remind me that it's ok to slow down, to share idle time with those we enjoy. These are the most Holy moments of the day. We learn from the gospel that God's not impressed with the "wise and learned", but those who retain the innocence and unconditional love of a child.
ReplyDeleteThanks to all who have shared and continue to share. I think this is a great way to bring the mountain into our daily lives and that we continue to do so!
Peace,
Mike Fenn
Thanks Mtn I for setting up this forum for ongoing prayer and discussion.
ReplyDeleteIn reading Dan's reflection, I am brought back to this evening's dinner, where our soon to be two year old son, Jacob, flung his dinner plate across the table, filled with food, declaring he was "done." We could have scolded him royally, yet, we simply asked him to help clean it up ... all of us are amazed at his energy -- simply amazed. And I reflected on the hope that he would not lose that. As I said, we could haev condemned him for nearly hitting his sister, wasting food and "disorderly conduct." He was just acting on an impulse.
So much strength from within. Nothing to correct, just watching the energy mature, over time. We do know as his "parents" we must find something "constructive" for him REAL SOON ...
I also marvel at how quickly children are overwhelmed by raging tears ... and how easily they let them go ... this is what I have witnessed what it means to be a child. If only we as adults could let go our thoughts, feelings, hopes, wishes and impulses fly like Jacob's plastic dinner plate ... what energy lies dormant behind such "learned and wise" habits we've developed. And how often do we hide from who we truly are.
Acting on healthy impulses, speaking, writing, doing ... being authentic ... this takes courage, like a child, risk and letting go.
Peace,
Mike C.
Franciscan Sojourners
Albany, NY
How good it is to feel the spirit and peace of the Mountain through all of your words. Uninhibited love, unconditional hope: these are the messages I hear in these readings and in the thoughtful reflections that they have inspired. These messages are so constant in the Gospel, and yet I find myself renewed, and even surprised, by them upon each encounter. But it seems that if I would more openly seek and see God's examples of them in the ordinary moments of my days perhaps they would become more a part of my belief, without surprise. And yes, children do indeed teach us how to experience life courageously: My nephews are both in the same preschool, and the teacher told my sister that every time they see one another in the halls at school (they are in separate classes), they break out of their lines and run to hug one another. Of course, then they proceed to tumble and wrestle, as only brothers can do with affection, but if this isn't "letting go" with abandon, and with uninhibited love, I don't know what is!
ReplyDeleteThank you, everyone, for your words.
Peace,
Christine Cusick
What an amazing vehicle to bring The Mountain to the valley!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of seeing the world through the eyes of a child but what about seeing our relationship with Christ as childlike?
As Fr. Dan reminds us in his homily and reflections we are called to be "created anew" in Christ. To do this we almost have to become Poor in Spirit by acknowleding that we have voids in our lives that we frequently turn to earthly things to fill. God created these voids so we learn to turn to Him to fill us up. The world is full of enticements and daily we are confronted with subtle cultural pressures. The only way to escape these influences is to ask God to help crucify our interest in them - just as Paul did. We must become aware of the inward condition of our heart. Living a good life without inward change leads to an empty spiritual walk.
In adult relationships and especially as parents, we feel we should have everything figured out and are often afraid to ask for help. (I speak on behalf of most women but I have known a few men who would never ask for directions!) This is when we should be childlike in our faith and turn to Him and be humbly open to receive Gods truth for only He has the answers. He has the strength, wisdom, guidance and comfort that He wants to give us. Our yokes maybe heavy burdens of sin or weariness in our search for God, but what amazing comfort we have in knowing that we can participate in life's responsibilites with Him as our great Partner!
Thank you Dan & Mike.
In His Peace & Love,
Denise Kane Null