How did Jesus avoid burnout? Find out in today's Minute Meditations. 🙏
November 29, 2024
Dear John,
I want to always start by saying: We are so appreciative of our donors. There is no Franciscan Media without you! This is the 19th day of our Rebuilding God’s Church $125,000 match campaign. Your donations help us unlock this match money! This campaign will run through Easter next year, which means we have 135 days left! If you are already a recurring donor, you can make your current donation double without having to increase your donation! If you want to put your current donation toward this “Rebuilding God’s Church” vision through Easter, all you need to do is email us at giving@franciscanmedia.org and let us know that you want your donation matched. Thank you to those who have already done this!
Today’s Saint of the Day reflection reminds us that love heals divisions. In divisive situations, love can take the form of humble listening or patience or kindness. Our developing adult evangelization platform, Rebuilding God’s Church, seeks to help adults become practitioners of charity by offering supportive digital resources (e.g., downloadable pdfs, online articles, webinars, podcasts, etc.) that include various subject matter experts and a host of Franciscan voices. Don’t forget that Giving Tuesday is coming up next week, the First Week of Advent! If you would like to learn more about Rebuilding God’s Church or donate, click here.
With profound gratitude,
Deacon Matthew Halbach, PhD President & Publisher,
Clement of Rome was the third successor of Saint Peter, reigning as pope during the last decade of the first century. He’s known as one of the Church’s five “Apostolic Fathers,” those who provided a direct link between the Apostles and later generations of Church Fathers.
Clement’s First Epistle to the Corinthians was preserved and widely read in the early Church. This letter from the bishop of Rome to the Church in Corinth concerns a split that alienated a large number of the laity from the clergy. Deploring the unauthorized and unjustifiable division in the Corinthian community, Clement urged charity to heal the rift.
Reflection
Today many in the Church experience polarization regarding worship, how we speak of God, and other issues. We’d do well to take to heart the exhortation from Clement’s Epistle: “Charity unites us to God. It knows no schism, does not rebel, does all things in concord. In charity all the elect of God have been made perfect.”
Rome’s Basilica of St. Clement, one of the city’s earliest parish churches, is probably built on the site of Clement’s home. History tells us that Pope Clement was martyred either in the year 99 or in 101. His liturgical feast is celebrated on November 23.
Jesus, constricted in his sacred mission by the fragility of flesh and blood, knows how fatigue impacts our ability to imitate him. We can struggle in prayer, tend to our basic needs and even retreat for quiet rest, but this is not enough. We also require the nurturing company of friends and family if we are to be fully refreshed and ready to serve again. We must take a break, but not always alone or on our own. We must be willing to ask our loved ones to “have a boat ready.”
Perhaps the “boat” is a dinner hour without television, radio or smartphone; perhaps it is a ritual of a quiet evening walk together or a weekend away. The “boat” may change its format to suit life’s circumstances—such as COVID—but the existence of a “boat” and the importance of loved ones to help “have a boat ready” are vital aspects of a healthy life. We will need it to be able to fulfill our vocations.
At times when I go on my morning beach walk, I meet another member of the Medicare generation and ask how he or she is doing. One man responded, “I woke up!” My reply was “Who knows what possibilities await us!” This practice went on every time we met. We affirmed our gratitude for a new day and looked forward to a future in which we could make a difference rather than being victims of our fear. You can wake up to the new day, looking forward to new possibilities and your opportunity to add to the beauty of the world.
Pray
Loving God, Wake me up to beauty, Wake me up to wonder, What me up to possibility, Wake me up to agency, Wake me up to love. Amen.
Act
Consider beginning this day with the intention to give thanks, look for new possibilities, and choose to make a difference to those around you. Let us awaken to the wonder of each new day.
Today's Pause+Pray was written by Bruce Epperly. Learn more here!
This newsletter is not free to produce! Please consider making a donation to help us in our efforts to share God's love in the spirit of St. Francis.
