Tag Archives: Franciscan spirituality
Seeing Things as They Truly Are
Francis and the Animals Seeing Things as They Truly Are Monday, October 4, 2021 Richard continues exploring Francis of Assisi’s insights, pointing us beyond the “bird bath” spirituality for which Francis is too often known. Francis of Assisi knew that the finite manifests the infinite, and the physical is the doorway to the spiritual.… Continue Reading Seeing Things as They Truly Are
Franciscan Ecological Wisdom: Weekly Summary
Franciscan Ecological Wisdom Saturday, May 23, 2020 Summary: Sunday, May 17 — Friday, May 22, 2020 Our common home is also God’s own house, permeated by the Spirit of God from the dawn of creation, where the Son of God pitched his tent in the supreme event of the incarnation. —Joshtrom Isaac Kureethadam (Sunday) Saint… Continue Reading Franciscan Ecological Wisdom: Weekly Summary
The Possibility of Restraint
Franciscan Ecological Wisdom The Possibility of Restraint Friday, May 22, 2020 Francis rejoices in all the works of the Lord’s hands, and through their delightful display he gazes on their life-giving reason and cause. In beautiful things he discerns Beauty itself; all good things cry out to him: “The One who made us is the… Continue Reading The Possibility of Restraint
Loving God by Loving the World
Franciscan Ecological Wisdom Loving God by Loving the World Thursday May 21, 2020 I have often wondered what might compel more Christians to take personal responsibility to mitigate climate change. With all the scientific evidence we’ve been given, it doesn’t seem to be a head issue but a heart one. Scholar Sallie McFague (1933–2019) offers… Continue Reading Loving God by Loving the World
God is Being Itself
Franciscan Ecological Wisdom God is Being Itself Wednesday, May 20, 2020 The Franciscan philosopher and theologian John Duns Scotus (1266–1308), whom I studied for four years in seminary, wrote that “God first wills Christ as his supreme work.” [1] In other words, God’s “first idea” and priority was to make the Godself both visible and… Continue Reading God is Being Itself
Cultivation Not Domination
Franciscan Ecological Wisdom Cultivation Not Domination Tuesday, May 19, 2020 St. Bonaventure (1221–1274) taught that “Christ, as a human being, shares with all creatures; indeed he possesses being with rocks, lives among the plants, senses with animals, and understands with angels.” [1] In saying this, Bonaventure wanted to give theological weight to the deep experience… Continue Reading Cultivation Not Domination
Pope Francis and St. Francis of Assisi
Franciscan Ecological Wisdom Pope Francis and St. Francis of Assisi Monday, May 18, 2020 I deeply appreciate the many ways Pope Francis has continued the work of Vatican II by letting in the “fresh air” of modern science and other disciplines. While new information is one of the primary ways we come to understand Reality… Continue Reading Pope Francis and St. Francis of Assisi
Our Common Planetary Home
Franciscan Ecology Wisdom Our Common Planetary Home Sunday, May 17, 2020 To mark the fifth anniversary of his encyclical Laudato Si′: On Care for Our Common Home, Pope Francis has declared May 16–24 “Laudato Si′ Week.” [1] The Daily Meditations this week will focus on how Franciscan spirituality impels us to act in response to… Continue Reading Our Common Planetary Home
What You Seek Is What You Are
Oneness What You Seek Is What You Are Friday, September 27, 2019 Authentic spirituality emphasizes a real equivalence and mutuality between the one who sees and what can be seen. There is a symbiosis between the heart/mind of the seer and what they will pay attention to. All being (earth and planets, waters, all growing… Continue Reading What You Seek Is What You Are
The Joy of the Gospel
Joy and Hope The Joy of the Gospel Sunday, November 25, 2018 I believe that St. Francis is the example par excellence of care for the vulnerable and of an integral ecology lived out joyfully and authentically. . . . [He] was deeply loved for his joy, his generous self-giving, his open-heartedness. —Pope Francis [1]… Continue Reading The Joy of the Gospel