"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
resilience
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
When You Can’t Consider Forgiveness, Consider God
"Praised be my Lord for those who forgive on account of your love, and endure weakness and trials. Blessed are those who shall endure in peace, for by you, most high, they shall be crowned." ~ Canticle of the Sun, St. Francis of Assisi Scientific research has indicated that the benefits of forgiveness - e.g. … Continue reading When You Can’t Consider Forgiveness, Consider God
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 Means Seeing Our Part
One of the challenging pieces of forgiveness is to look not only at the person we feel wronged us, but also to take an honest look at ourselves and our part in what happened, and what we are experiencing. It could be that we helped create the circumstance that led to the wrongdoing. Whether through … Continue reading Forgiveness Means Seeing Our Part
Love & Forgiveness: Process is Everything and Everything is Process
Let me tell you something about being a Franciscan that you may find insightful about your own life, and your own efforts to unfold the best parts of yourself and live your life fully. What I have learned about being a Franciscan is that it's more like a process than it is a status. Yes, … Continue reading Love & Forgiveness: Process is Everything and Everything is Process
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
Your Love is the Source of Your Forgiveness
Early summer's warm weather and revitalizing rains have greened the landscape here in Central Minnesota this month. The pastures fill with good fodder for horses and all creatures alike, and the woods are full of life. I think it is true that you can't give something that you don't already have. When it comes to … Continue reading Your Love is the Source of Your Forgiveness
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
Live and Forgive 