February 2022

By Benjamin Ripley, OFM The final part of Mark’s Gospel describes how Jesus commissions his disciples to go out into all the world and spread the Good News. He gives them the power to perform astonishing miracles: Exorcising demons, healing the sick, speaking in (…)
snow gently falling no noise in this moment creation surrounds me my home is warm snow gently falling sirens humming in my ears tanks beginning to surround me is my home safe? freedom to complain about anything food to fill my belly my loved (…)
“Love your enemies.” Luke 6.27 Really Jesus?Love my enemies?Love those who are my adversaries and foes?You must have known that it is much easier to love a friend.Love my enemies?They must not have heard you well on the day you said that. Yet when (…)
Do friars work? This is not a rhetorical question. Neither is it self-deprecating humor to make fun of my Franciscan fraternity. I came late to Franciscan life, after what I may rightfully call a career with successes that I will puff up spectacularly at (…)
“Blessed are you” in the gospels seems to be a way of saying,“Be filled with hope.” This current trying situation you are in will pass – be filled with hope!This time of uncertainty consuming you will end – be filled with hope!This hurt that (…)
(by Roland Bonenfant, OFM, and Guylain Prince, OFM) Small miracles happen at any age! Michel Boyer, guardian of our Franciscan community in Trois-Rivières, has lived as long as possible without a computer. Ten years ago, with great reluctance, he understood that it was inevitable. (…)
Inspired by Luke 5.1-11 and Simon Peter. Put out into the deep,Jesus, you ask me to trust.Put out into the deep,Jesus, you call me to respond.Put out into the deep,Jesus, you encourage me from the familiar.I am amazed, Jesus,at what my life produces.I am (…)