Franciscan Voice

Continuing the discussion of Chapter Two, Friar Tim Kulbicki talks about the penitential life. Penance helps exercise the spiritual 'muscle' that allows us to say no to self in order to say yes more deeply to God and others.

God is not the co-pilot. God is in the driver's seat. Friar Michael Lasky reminds us why we should 'lean in' and pray from our hearts, knowing that God is in control.

Prayer is time spent with God, whether we pray in community or by ourselves. In this episode, Friar Tim focuses on the life of union with God: laying out the primacy of the spiritual life.

Part two of this series on the Constitutions focuses on the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

Sometimes in the Old Testament, God doesn't seem very peaceful. But like the ancient Israelites, we hear God's message through our own times and prejudices. In the words of Jesus, God's message of peace comes through clearly, and challenges us.

In this 12 part series, Friar Tim Kulbicki delves into the Constitutions for the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. This is a document that seeks to put on paper the original charism of the Order, given to us from our founder St. Francis of Assisi 800 years ago, and then describe how that charism translates into modern terms. How do we take that charism and set policies and rules to live it in all the friaries across the world? The Constitutions must respond to the needs of an increasingly global, diverse, and pluralistic fraternity. 

When it seems that things aren't working out the way they're supposed to, remember: that's what the two travelers thought on the road to Emmaus. As we travel similar roads today, are we open to an encounter with the living God? This reflection was originally given on tax day in 2020 (April 15).

St. Peter was a man of action; but not always for good. Friar Michael Lasky explains how through his relationship with Jesus, cooperation with God’s grace, and learning to make his bed, St. Peter left betrayal behind and became a man who could work wonders, even curing the sick.

 

Even after betrayal and abandonment, Jesus' first greeting to the apostles is a message of peace, loving them even more because that is what they needed. Friar Jude explains that Jesus offers us the same love today.

In this Brief Break for Peace, we learn how forgiving others can be the first step in bringing peace to the world.