October 4 and October 5

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

From Deacon Dick~

St. Francis of Assisi – October 4

          As we celebrate the life of St. Francis who died on October 3, 1226, we look to him as a model for deep compassion for all and love of God’s creation.  Renouncing his life of wealth and privilege, Deacon Francis responded to God’s call to rebuild God’s Church by calling others to live fully the core of the Gospel of Jesus, the Christ.  Today the Franciscan family includes more than 15,000 women and men who follow the example of St. Francis.

          I offer 7 reflections in the spirit of St. Francis.  May we find in them the voice of the Holy Spirit calling us to rebuild God’s Church especially through our Remade For Mission Pastoral Planning Process.

• Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.
• Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
• For it is in giving that we receive.
• While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.
• It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
• Where there is injury, let me sow pardon.
• Proclaim the Gospel always … when necessary use words.

May it be so!