Today's Minute Meditations pays homage to St. Francis of Assisi! ☀️🌙
Dear John, God Loves You! In today's video meditation, Fr. Gary Caster, author of Prayer Everywhere: The Spiritual Life Made Simple, has this simple reminder: God loves you. God loves us in spite of ourselves. And that is reason to celebrate. Enjoy his timely message here. ▫️▫️▫️ If you are encouraged by our daily messages, consider donating here. God's peace to you! |
Saint of the Day for January 3:
Most Holy Name of Jesus
Listen to the Story of the Most Holy Name of Jesus Here Although Saint Paul might claim credit for promoting devotion to the Holy Name because Paul wrote in Philippians that God the Father gave Christ Jesus “that name that is above every name” (see 2:9), this devotion became popular because of 12th-century Cistercian monks and nuns but especially through the preaching of Saint Bernardine of Siena, a 15th-century Franciscan. Bernardine used devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus as a way of overcoming bitter and often bloody class struggles and family rivalries or vendettas in Italian city-states. The devotion grew, partly because of Franciscan and Dominican preachers. It spread even more widely after the Jesuits began promoting it in the 16th century. In 1530, Pope Clement V approved an Office of the Holy Name for the Franciscans. In 1721, Pope Innocent XIII extended this feast to the entire Church. Reflection Jesus died and rose for the sake of all people. No one can trademark or copyright Jesus’ name. Jesus is the Son of God and son of Mary. Everything that exists was created in and through the Son of God (see Colossians 1:15-20). The name of Jesus is debased if any Christian uses it as justification for berating non-Christians. Jesus reminds us that because we are all related to him we are, therefore, all related to one another.
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Ever New, Ever Young In Francis’ day, some people admired him very much for thinking in new ways. The danger there was that Francis was simply calling attention to himself. Francis’ first biographer wanted to show that the saint’s newness was actually the rediscovery of something very old: that the Gospel could be lived here and now, not simply admired from afar. Sometimes we resist conversion to the Lord’s way because we fear giving it full freedom will shrink our world, will make us more closed in. Like every other saint, Francis of Assisi reminds us that conversion to the Lord’s ways will always enlarge our world, stretching us in a good way. Francis “seemed changed into another man” because conversion indeed made him a new man. He retained his original DNA and fingerprints, but his heart became ever new and young. —from the book Peace and Good: Through the Year with Francis of Assisi
by Pat McCloskey, OFM |
Discover how Franciscan spirituality can inspire and encourage a wholeness of body and soul through all the ups and downs of life. |
Living Out the Gospel in Daily Life Reflect Living out the Gospel message is central to Franciscan spirituality. St. Francis took the teachings of Jesus to heart, living a life of love, humility, and service. By embodying the Gospel in our daily actions, we can bear witness to our faith and inspire others. Pray Faithful God,
Help us to live out the teachings of the Gospel in our daily lives.
Guide us to act with love, humility, and service,
reflecting the light of Christ to others.
May we, like St. Francis, be true disciples of your word. Amen.
Act Meditate on the Gospel message and how it applies to your daily life. Identify ways you can act in accordance with Jesus’ teachings, whether through acts of kindness, humility, or service. Share your faith with others through your actions. Today’s Pause+Pray was written by Paul Lipowski. Learn more here! |
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