FRANCISCAN DETERMINATION

The Lord GOD has given me

    a well-trained tongue,
That I might know how to speak to the weary
    a word that will rouse them […] He is near who upholds my right;
    if anyone wishes to oppose me,
    let us appear together.
Who disputes my right?
    Let him confront me.
See, the Lord GOD is my help;
    who will prove me wrong? ~ Is 50:4-9a

For your sake I bear insult,
and shame covers my face. ~ Psalm 69:8

“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.” ~ Psalm 69:33-34

Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply,
“Surely it is not I, Rabbi?”
He answered, “You have said so.” ~ Mt 26:25

To act and do good in accordance with our values, principles and beliefs are becoming something difficult in our society because we will find ourselves in situations or with people that will try to silence and humiliate us for not accepting our opinions. There are times where we have felt ashamed in expressing ourselves and defend our beliefs considering that maybe we do not want to be excluded from the group, however, we should never stay quiet nor change who we are or believe because if we do, we lose the opportunity of doing the right thing according to our principles and the gift of being honest with ourselves.

From the passages of Scripture that I included above, we can see that regardless of the betrayals and the insults from people who surrounded them, Isaiah, the Psalmist and Jesus continued doing what was right for them. In Isaiah’s case, a prophet with a great faith and trust in God, did not think twice in keeping his duty as God asked him. Like Isaiah, the psalmist was defamed for his beliefs, but he did not abandon nor change them, and received God’s protection. Even though Jesus knew about who was going to betrayed him and that He is king and God’s son, Jesus permitted Judas’ crime because it was the correct decision to make, which led to the prophecies to come true about the Messiah and His actions for the world’s salvation.

Therefore, every time we are embarrassed about sharing our opinions or acting accordingly to our values, we should remember Isaiah’s strength and Jesus’s determination to maintain their beliefs and to do the right thing followed by them, it is not going to be an easy task, but we will find strength in God as they did. During this Franciscan month, let’s continue to remember, St. Francis of Assisi, our patron saint’s legacy and determination to follow and act for what is right while maintaining God first and at the center of everything we do. Let’s pray that we may never stop accepting God’s guidance and allow Him to be in our hearts.

Paz y bien,

Airam Aguasvivas De Los Santos
Class of 2024, MMID Student Assistant.

Comments

WITH FRANCISCAN GRATITUDE!

It is hard to believe we have already come to the end of October. And what an incredible Reflection Series it has been for Franciscan Month! We cannot thank enough everyone who contributed to this Series. We are also grateful to those who subscribed, and anyone who commented on the wonderful depth and breath of the reflections. Special thanks go to Timothy Nagy of our Office. Without his outstanding coordination, the Series would not have been possible. This Series has greatly assisted in moving forward the dream of October being designated as Franciscan Month. Our vision includes national and local events in 2024, with global recognition in Assisi in 2026 for the commemoration of the 800 th anniversary of Francis' reunion with God! Looking forward to continue walking the Franciscan journey with you. May you do so in God's Peace and Love! Deus Meus et Omnia, St. Francis College Office of Mission, Ministry and Interfaith Dialogue

BE WHERE YOUR FEET ARE!

Be where your feet are! The first time I remember hearing this phrase, I was juggling many responsibilities and was struggling to keep my head above water. I immediately cringed as I realized that I was not being mindful. I was not recognizing the beauty of every moment or appreciating the reality that I/we are always in the presence of our God. Be where your feet are has become a mantra for me … a call to presence and prayer. This phrase leads me back to Saint Clare’s method of prayer and contemplation. In her second letter to Agnes of Prague, Clare suggests that one should “Gaze upon Christ, Consider Christ, Contemplate Christ, as you desire to Imitate Christ.” What a powerful and challenging message this is! Be where your feet are! When I gaze, I am called to be mindful of the people and events that are happening around me. As I slow down to gaze, does that change my perception of what is important? Does gazing challenge how I spend my time, talent and treasure? Be where

SELF-AWARENESS, SELF-ACTUALIZATION

On his deathbed, St. Francis freed his Brothers by saying, “I have done what was mine to do, may Christ now teach you what you are to do.” Why did he say this? So that his Brothers would not try to become him. God created each of Francis’ Brothers to be who they were, not who St. Francis was. The key for them finding out what was theirs to do was discovering whom God intended them to be. Now, 800 years later, self-awareness for our students is just - if not - more important. A Franciscan view of career suggests each of our students needs to know who they are so that they can see the Good inside themselves, and share that Good to maximize their contribution to transform a world desperately in need of their Good. Sadly, for most college students, self-awareness is in short supply. On my radio show Thank God For Monday, guests advise that today’s college graduates are not self-aware. Sure, they know accounting and biology and information technology, but are hopelessly cluele

Franciscan Month Reflection Series

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