Franciscan Quote of the Day

We must not rely too much upon ourselves, for grace and understanding are often lacking in us. We have but little inborn light, and this we quickly lose through negligence. Often we are not aware that we are so blind in heart. Meanwhile we do wrong, and then do worse in excusing it.

~Thomas à Kempis via OH……….. FRANCESCO.

As I was reminded by a wise religious sister of the Servants of God’s Presence, the sisters of Heart’s Home, there is a difference between action and activism. A true action is one done through, with, in, and for God—one that is filled with meaning, purpose, and God’s grace. Activism on the other hand is the temptation to do things just to do them, to do things for myself so that I’ll feel competent, important, in control. How easy it is to cross that line! Even the truest, purest action is plagued by the human tendency to fall into activism.

~Katherine Infantine, First Thoughts | A First Things Blog

The Wandering: what’s happening in my life isn’t working for whatever reason — there is a pull, the hand of  God pointing me in something more.

The Leper: I’ve found something for which I’m looking — some type of encounter, prayer and/or ministry, has grabbed my heart and won’t let go.

Playing in Churches: I need to do something — I don’t know what, so let me start actually doing something.

All of a sudden: brothers and sisters.  Build churches long enough and I’ll eventually find myself involved in religious life — do not be afraid of this. The jump is a long way down — but never underestimate the gravity-defying power of grace.

Up to now, I’ve done nothing: reaching religious life is just a reminder of all the things I haven’t yet done.  Say your prayers, work hard, go to sleep.  Repeat.

via New Sandals: Revised Theses on Franciscan Discernment.

[His] grandfather believed—or sometimes believed, and always maintained—that every object on Earth was created by God with the capacity to impart to the attentive student some virtue or grace.

~Nick Harkaway, Angelmaker

Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self.

~St. Francis of Assisi

Walking, sitting, eating, or drinking, St. Francis was always intent upon prayer. He would go alone to pray at night in churches abandoned and located in deserted places, where, under the protection of divine grace, he overcame many fears and many disturbances of mind.

~St. Francis of Assisi, Celano, First Life, Chapter XXVII (thanks to Portiuncula: the Little Portion)