Enjoy today's meditation on God's grace! 🕊️
Dear Friend, Have you noticed how quickly things seem to change? As a proud member of Gen X, I have seen a lot of changes. For instance, I remember life before the Internet, and now I can't imagine life without it. That is only one of the things that I find myself straddling both the old and the new. In the 30-plus years I have worked here at Franciscan Media, I have seen a lot of changes. One of the biggest ones was the development of our company website. We started humbly, slowly piecing together what has now become a treasure trove of Catholic information and inspiration. Over time, we have developed many of the resources you find in this newsletter, on our website, and other media outlets. For instance, one of the latest resources we have developed is our podcast, Off the Page. And who knows what the next adventure will be. We are always searching for new ways to help you grow in your faith. But we also need your help to do that. If you find that these daily messages feed your spirit, and would like to see more offerings in the future, please consider making a gift to Franciscan Media. Donate today! May God give you peace! Susan Hines-Brigger Executive Editor |
Saint of the Day for July 8: Gregory Grassi and Companions (February 13, 1823 – July 9, 1900) Listen to Saint Gregory Grassi and Companions’ Story Here Christian missionaries have often gotten caught in the crossfire of wars against their own countries. When the governments of Britain, Germany, Russia, and France forced substantial territorial concessions from the Chinese in 1898, anti-foreign sentiment grew very strong among many Chinese people. Gregory Grassi was born in Italy in 1823, ordained in 1856, and sent to China five years later. Gregory was later ordained bishop of North Shanxi. With 14 other European missionaries and 14 Chinese religious, he was martyred during the short but bloody Boxer Uprising of 1900. Twenty-six of these martyrs were arrested on the orders of Yu Hsien, the governor of Shanxi province. They were hacked to death on July 9, 1900. Five of them were Friars Minor; seven were Franciscan Missionaries of Mary—the first martyrs of their congregation. Seven were Chinese seminarians and Secular Franciscans; four martyrs were Chinese laymen and Secular Franciscans. The other three Chinese laymen killed in Shanxi simply worked for the Franciscans and were rounded up with all the others. Three Italian Franciscans were martyred that same week in the province of Hunan. All these martyrs were beatified in 1946, and were among the 120 martyrs canonized in 2000. Reflection Martyrdom is the occupational hazard of missionaries. Throughout China during the Boxer Uprising, five bishops, 50 priests, two brothers, 15 sisters and 40,000 Chinese Christians were killed. The 146,575 Catholics served by the Franciscans in China in 1906 had grown to 303,760 by 1924, and were served by 282 Franciscans and 174 local priests. Great sacrifices often bring great results.
|
‘God Has Collected Your Tears’ I don’t think you can get to a place of being open to God’s grace unless you feel that your lament has been heard. Listening to God is about also realizing that God is listening to you. God has heard your cries. God has collected your tears in a flask. Lament is so fundamental to the human experience, but when you know God has heard you, then one becomes willing to hear God. —from Franciscan Media’s Off the Page
with host Stephen Copeland, featuring Maureen O’Brien |
Discomfort Zone Reflect Things have become so divided and tense that we no longer offer people any grace or understanding. To move forward, that has to change. Pray Dear God,
help us to reclaim our sense of compassion for others,
even when we find it difficult to do so.
May we treat our brothers and sisters
as we would wish to be treated.
You created each of us in your image,
thus making everyone worthy of our love and compassion.
Amen. Act When dealing with a situation that is frustrating you or that you don’t understand, stop for a moment and put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Try to see the situation from his or her perspective. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Susan Hines-Brigger. Learn more here! |
|
