Today's Minute Meditations reminds us that are all spiritual siblings. đ
Dear John, In reading over St. Francis of Assisi's Omnibus of Sources recently, I was taken by a particular quote: "God revealed a form of greeting to me, telling me that we should say, 'God give you peace.'â I love the simplicity of that statementâand it's one we take to heart at Franciscan Media. We want these daily messages to bring you the kind of peace that only God's grace can provide. It's a sacred effort and we cannot do it without you. We work every day to rebuild a crumbling Church. These daily messages are our humble way of doing that. And you are very much a part of this mission. Please join the friars and our faithful community in the work of evangelization through your gift to Franciscan Media. Donate today! Christopher Heffron
Editorial Director |
Saint of the Day for January 9:
Adrian of Canterbury (d. January 9, 710) Listen to Saint Adrian of Canterburyâs Story Here Though Saint Adrian turned down a papal request to become Archbishop of Canterbury, England, Pope Saint Vitalian accepted the rejection on the condition that Adrian serve as the Holy Fatherâs assistant and adviser. Adrian accepted, but ended up spending most of his life and doing most of his work in Canterbury. Born in Africa, Adrian was serving as an abbot in Italy when the new Archbishop of Canterbury appointed him abbot of the monastery of Saints Peter and Paul in Canterbury. Thanks to his leadership skills, the facility became one of the most important centers of learning. The school attracted many outstanding scholars from far and wide and produced numerous future bishops and archbishops. Students reportedly learned Greek and Latin and spoke Latin as well as their own native languages. Adrian taught at the school for 40 years. He died there, probably in the year 710, and was buried in the monastery. Several hundred years later, when reconstruction was being done, Adrianâs body was discovered in an incorrupt state. As word spread, people flocked to his tomb, which became famous for miracles. Rumor had it that young schoolboys in trouble with their masters made regular visits there. Reflection Saint Adrian spent most of his time in Canterbury not as bishop, but as abbot and teacher. Often the Lord has plans for us that are obvious only on hindsight. How often have we said no to something or someone only to end up in much the same place anyway. The Lord knows whatâs good for us. Can we trust him?
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Discover St. Anthony Messenger magazine and how it can help you become a more joyful, loving peacemaker by exploring many of the issues that are facing the Church and the world today, through a Franciscan lens. |
Our True Source of Peace Let us close our eyes to bring home to ourselves our blindness as we face the future. Let us close our eyes to focus our minds on the inner light, our one common light, in whose brightness we shall be able to walk together even in the dark. Let us close our eyes as a gesture of trust in the guidance of the one Spirit who will move us if we but open our hearts. âOne is the human Spirit,â but the human Spirit is more than human because the human heart is unfathomable. Into this depth let us silently sink our roots. There lies our only source of peace. Let our celebration culminate and conclude in this gesture, by which we will send one another forth as messengers of peace. Let us do this now. âfrom St. Anthony Messengerâs âLet Us Pray: Sisters and Brothers in the Spiritâ
by Brother David Steindl-Rast |
St. Anthony Messenger magazine A magazine that shares the loving spirit of St. Francis with the world! |
God Is Unchanging Reflect Throughout our lives, our faith is going to experience ebbs and flows. Over time it will grow, change, and even, at times, be challenged. Thatâs OK. Like a parent, God understands and is always at our side. Pray Dear God, thank you
for standing by my side
and allowing me to explore my faith,
even when it might pull me
away from you.
Help me to remember
that you are always there,
waiting for me. Act Take some time to write downâor talk to Godâabout what is going on in your faith life right nowâgood or bad. Check back in a week or two to see whatâs changed for the better. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Susan Hines-Brigger. Learn more here! |
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