Showing posts with label Peace and Justice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peace and Justice. Show all posts
The Higher Gifts
'Above all the grace and gifts that Christ gives his beloved is that of overcoming self.' - St. Francis of Assisi
Source: CRS Videos
Source: CRS Videos
Lena Francis Edwards: a remarkable story of a franciscan laywoman
I wanted to share this biographical sketch of a truly remarkable Secular Franciscan who dedicated herself to those most in need. A pioneering black catholic laywoman and medical doctor. She is a heroic and modern example of our vocation as a life of determination, service and love. This will inspire you.
The podcast is by the prolific Catholic podcaster, Fr. Seraphim Beshoner, TOR at catholicunderthehood.com . It was originally broadcast last November. The following link will bring you to the shownotes and resources
Click here to listen to the podcast. (Approximately 25 minutes)
Meeting for Peace in Assisi
Today marks the 25th anniversary of the 'Spirit of Assisi' gathering for prayer and dialogue to bring about peace and justice in the world. In addition to representatives of the religions of the world, nonbelievers also were invited. The day of Assisi took the form of a symbolic "courtyard of the Gentiles".
To avoid the criticism of reletavism or syncretism no common prayer was said. Instead, the participants each took to a private room for some 90 minutes of meditation and reflection according to their respective traditions. In a ZENIT interview an editor from the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore, explained, "interpretations of syncretism in '86 missed the pope's point".
The title of today's gathering was "Pilgims of Truth, Pilgrims of Peace". Here's a link to today's address given by Pope Benedict XVI. The event was recorded and is available for viewing.
Coverage and Commentary:
L'Osservatore Romano: God in History
CNS: Pope prays Assisi pilgimage will foster dialogue, peace
CNS: Among Assisi participants, a sense of deeper crisis in modern society
Whispers in the Loggia: At Assisi, the peace train rides again
The Saint of Urakami: Takashi Nagai
Some members of the fraternity are familiar with the story of Takashi Nagai. I only learned of him this year and I regard him (along with his wife Midori) as one of the greatest Catholic figures of the 20th century. As I noted in an earlier post his statue is one of eight (called The Beatitudes) adorning the entrance to the Fr. Solanus Casey Center in Detroit Michigan. His cause is currently up for canonization. The following is a two part podcast telling the remarkable story of Tagashi Nagai, a doctor, a Catholic, and a survivor of the atomic bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki.
If you're not familiar with the story of Takashi Nagai you don't want to miss this message. Even if you are familiar you'll probably want to revisit this remarkable tale told anew. The links to the show notes contain more information including a preview of a new film being produced.
The Saint of Urakami Part I #268: In the first part of a two part episode, we are introduced to Takashi Nagai and follow his journey from atheism and materialism into Catholicism as he seeks answers to the deepest questions of his heart. (31 minutes)
Link to the show notes for part I
The Saint of Urakami Part II #269: In the second of a two part episode, Takashi Nagai uses his faith to find meaning his suffering after the atomic bombing of Nagasaki and uses that faith to inspire hope for others. (36 minutes)
Link to the show notes for part II
The two podcasts were produced by Fr. Seraphim Breshoner, TOR. He is professor at Franciscan University Steubenville and has produced over 250 podcasts with a general theme of 'Catholic history and theology from a Franciscan perspective'. The title of his weekly show is called Catholic Under the Hood.
Source: catholicunderthehood.com/
A Vision of Peace
It helps now and then to step back
and take the long view.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction
of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work.
Nothing we do is complete,
which is another way of saying
that the kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection,
no pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the Church’s mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
That is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted,
knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects
far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything,
and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something,
and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning,
a step along the way,
an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter
and do the rest.
We may never see the end results,
but that is the difference between
the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders,
ministers not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own. Amen.
___________________________________
Archbishop Oscar Romero
Source: ( Peacebuilding: A Caritas Training Manual, Pg.4)
The Death of Bin Laden: A Franciscan Perspective
Here's a letter that's worth our attention and respect. It's from the newsletter of Holy Name Province in New York. Fr. Mychal Judge, OFM a member of the province and FDNY Chaplain, was listed as the 1st victim of the 9/11 attack. The photo below is an iconic image of the removal of his body from the tragic scene.
Preface to the Letter: Since the night of May 1, when the death of Osama bin Laden was announced, Americans have experienced and expressed a variety of reactions including relief, elation, fear and hope.
In a letter distributed to Holy Name Province friars this morning, the HNP leadership recommends calm reflection on this event in light of a Christian faith.
Provincial Minister John O’Connor, OFM, Provincial Vicar Dominic Monti, OFM, and the members of the Provincial Council encourage remembering the Word of God: “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles, or the Lord will see it and be displeased.”
The visit of St. Francis of Assisi to sultan Malik al-Kamil at a time of war reminds Franciscans to work for reconciliation.
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Brothers and sisters:
The electrifying news that Osama bin Laden has been killed has gripped the attention of our nation and the world, occasioning powerful and conflicting emotions and reactions. It also invites us, as Franciscans, to stand back and reflect prayerfully on what God might be inviting us to in the wake of this death.
Like so many, perhaps our first response, on a very human level, was a sense of relief. The sinister attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, are still deeply embedded in our national and personal consciousness. These images surface not only anger but also fear and unease at the precarious nature of life. On Sept. 11, we lost one of our own brothers, Mychal Judge, OFM; many people we serve also suffered the deaths of relatives and friends in the attacks.
Since 2001, we have felt the emptiness of the loss of loved ones, as well as the darkness of fear that 9/11 opened in all of our lives: Will we be attacked again? Osama bin Laden in many ways became the embodiment of our fears. The announcement of his death, then, may have produced an understandable dimension of cathartic release — a sense, or at least hope, that things may be better. Such a release may initially express itself in joy. But, if we are honest with ourselves as Christians, we quickly feel quite uncomfortable with a joy that comes from the death of another human being — even one we call our enemy. Isn’t this discomfort the sting of conscience reminding us that as Gospel people, as Easter people in this season of hope, we are called by God to something more?
We are reminded in the Word of God: “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; or the LORD will see it and be displeased.” (Proverbs 24:17-18a) So, if we are not to rejoice at this event, what is the invitation of God? (Read the full letter here...)
2009 National Fraternity Peace Award - Part II
An interview with Don Ryder, SFO winner of the National SFO Peace Award for 2009. Very Inspirational. Jesus says...'I thirst'...and Don responds.
Source: National SFO - Video and News Time:11m
National Fraternity Peace Award (2009) Part I
Meet Deacon Tom Bello, SFO our current National Minister discussing the significance of the National Fraternity Peace Award. For further information about the 2009 award winner Don Ryder, SFO and his water project please read the following press release: Franciscan Peace Award Goes to African Water Project Leader. Also look for an additional video above.
Source: National SFO-Video and News Time: 8m 32s
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