O, Good and Gracious God, God of mercy, compassion, generosity, and love, As we live our lives today in the model of St. Francis, choosing daily to live the Gospel life,
Help us to help others hear your call.
Help us to help others to recognize their vocation as a Secular Franciscan that You have already planted in their heart.
Help us, so that together we all may work to bring the Gospel to life.
Amen!
Marian R. Crosby. OFS
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In the spiritual life, your enemies are your best friends.
That's why Jesus makes his most daring commandment
that you must love your enemies (Luke 6:27).
Until you allow the enemy at the gate to come in, allowing the "not-me" to enter your world, you'll never be able to face your sin, your dark side, nor will you love others at any deep level. People who turn you off, people you're afraid of, have a message for you. We reject and hate our own faults in others, for some strange reason. I'm not saying you have to go out and become best friends with people who threaten you, but you should put up your antennae: they're triggering something within you—about you. You need them.
from Father Charles Faso's Reflections