"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace." ~ Traditional Franciscan Saying It's a very old saying within Franciscan tradition, sometimes even attributed to St. Francis of Assisi himself. But what does it mean. "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace?" and why would someone ever ask for that? What is peace? It's always … Continue reading Job Opening: Peacemaker, no previous experience needed
Matthew
The Burden That Can Free You Forever
Jesus said:"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,for I am meek and humble of heart;and you will find rest for yourselves.For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." (Gospel of Matthew 11:28-30) I was fortunate to attend elementary … Continue reading The Burden That Can Free You Forever
How to Worry Less and Connect More
Ever wonder how the big names in Catholic spirituality seem so calm and collected? They seem to have found and be connected with something that gives their view of the world, and the way they engage with the world, a deep abiding peacefulness. I can laugh and say, "It's like they know something we don't! … Continue reading How to Worry Less and Connect More
How to Make Your World More Forgiving for You (and Everybody Else)
If you could make the world a more forgiving place for you, would you? For as long as human beings have been around, they have looked for ways to arrange the world and its events so as to fulfill our needs, wishes, hopes, and desires. Over millennia, we have looked for these ways in science, … Continue reading How to Make Your World More Forgiving for You (and Everybody Else)
Forgiveness Keeps the Sanctity of Your Relationships
Every evening, a rabbit we came to name "Francis" makes its rounds through the pastures. The rabbit has figured prominently in the mythology of many cultures, including the Ojibwe and Dakota cultures indigenous to our part of Central Minnesota. Seeing Francis is an opportunity to experience a long time historical and important spiritual legacy related … Continue reading Forgiveness Keeps the Sanctity of Your Relationships
Love is Your Key to Human Flourishing
For a very long time, and all around the world, thinkers have asked whether we can clearly define a good life, or the best life, for ourselves. The idea is that if we could clearly define it, then we would know what we need to do in order to get it and have it for … Continue reading Love is Your Key to Human Flourishing
Franciscan Wisdom: Forgiveness is Partnering with God
One of the most important things we need to remember in forgiving someone is that God is our partner. We can come to an understanding that God is always with us, at our side as the constant friend, including in the times when we are wronged or hurt by someone. In a way, it is … Continue reading Franciscan Wisdom: Forgiveness is Partnering with God
Franciscan Advice: When forgiveness isn’t enough you need to clean house too! Here’s how!
(photo: Sherburne County, Minnesota (USA), Tom Delaney, 2025) Central Minnesota is blanketed in deep snow. The contours and features of the land get to be rounded and softer now, with a more resplendent and sparkling reflection of any glimmer of light. It makes you wonder if we are not cable of the same transformation -- … Continue reading Franciscan Advice: When forgiveness isn’t enough you need to clean house too! Here’s how!
“New Things” in Theology Point to the Science of Mental Health
(photo: Sherburne County, Minnesota (USA), Tom Delaney, 2025) And just like that...it's winter here in Central Minnesota. The snow fell overnight while a stiff wind blew from the north that shook the forest. Fittingly, today's Liturgy of the Word includes the beautiful canticle from Daniel (Chapter 3) and ... Cold and chill, bless the Lord;Praise … Continue reading “New Things” in Theology Point to the Science of Mental Health
Your Empathy Makes Your Forgiveness
(photo: Čeština, Mikhail Gorbunov, 2012) There are two scientifically validated forgiveness processes, and empathy of the forgiver toward the person being forgiven is the key in both of them. One forgiveness process is the REACH Forgiveness Process developed by Everett Worthington, and the other is Guideposts for Forgiving developed by Robert Enright. In both processes, … Continue reading Your Empathy Makes Your Forgiveness
Live and Forgive 