Hello John, Did you know... St. Bonaventure is considered the second founder of the Franciscan Order. He spent much of his life writing and teaching, but found one's pursuit of God to be the highest priority. "If you learn everything except Christ, you learn nothing. If you learn nothing except Christ, you learn everything," he wrote. Education is noble, but developing our faith lives shouldn't be neglected in the process. We hope today's newsletter touches your mind and your heart. |
Christopher Heffron
Editorial Director |
Saint of the Day for February 23: Saint Polycarp (c. 69 – c. 155) Saint Polycarp’s Story Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, disciple of Saint John the Apostle and friend of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, was a revered Christian leader during the first half of the second century. Saint Ignatius, on his way to Rome to be martyred, visited Polycarp at Smyrna, and later at Troas wrote him a personal letter. The Asia Minor Churches recognized Polycarp’s leadership by choosing him as a representative to discuss with Pope Anicetus the date of the Easter celebration in Rome—a major controversy in the early Church. Only one of the many letters written by Polycarp has been preserved, the one he wrote to the Church of Philippi in Macedonia. At 86, Polycarp was led into the crowded Smyrna stadium to be burned alive. The flames did not harm him and he was finally killed by a dagger. The centurion ordered the saint’s body burned. The “Acts” of Polycarp’s martyrdom are the earliest preserved, fully reliable account of a Christian martyr’s death. He died in 155. Reflection Polycarp was recognized as a Christian leader by all Asia Minor Christians—a strong fortress of faith and loyalty to Jesus Christ. His own strength emerged from his trust in God, even when events contradicted this trust. Living among pagans and under a government opposed to the new religion, he led and fed his flock. Like the Good Shepherd, he laid down his life for his sheep and kept them from more persecution in Smyrna. He summarized his trust in God just before he died: “Father… I bless Thee, for having made me worthy of the day and the hour…” (Acts of Martyrdom, Chapter 14). Saint Polycarp is the patron saint of: Relief from Earaches |
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Treasures of the Kingdom In recognizing his vocation to live the Gospel, Francis of Assisi knew that he could no longer identify himself with the wealthy and powerful of his day; rather, he desired to live among the minores, the poor, marginalized, and powerless and those without a voice in society. More than anything, Francis longed to live like Jesus Christ: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich” (2 Cor 8:9). For Francis and his brothers, minority was the one thing necessary for entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. Living this way, Francis conformed himself to Christ who exchanged the richness of heaven for the poverty of the earth, in order that we, becoming like Christ, could be rich with the treasures of the Kingdom. —from the book Franciscan Field Guide: People, Places, Practices, and Prayersby Rosemary Stets, OSF |
We are excited to share this newly released version of From Wild Man to Wise Man, Richard Rohr's classic bestseller exploring the power of male spirituality! |
Two Views on Anger Reflect Did you know that anger is not always a sin? It’s the devil’s furnace when I deliberately use my words, actions, or silence as a weapon to hurt people’s feelings, move them to tears, or destroy their property. It gives birth to feelings of revenge and retaliation. On the other hand, anger can also be the prophet’s fire that boldly stands up for issues of peace, love, and justice—think of Jesus overturning the tables of the money changers in the Temple. Righteous anger blazes in the lives of the saints and leads them to boldly stand up and speak out. Pray Lord Jesus, you never hesitated to show brawn and backbone
for the sake of peace, love, and justice.
With a prophet’s fire, you overthrew the tables of the Temple’s money changers
and challenged the narrow-minded thinking of some religious authorities.
Bless me with courage so that as your disciple
I, too, can set the world ablaze with the prophetic fire of your gospel.
Amen. Act Commit to standing up and speaking out to a sinful or unjust situation. It could be something small that comes up in daily conversation or a justice initiative with which your parish is involved.
Today’s Pause+Pray was written by Albert Haas, OFM. Learn more here! |
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