For more than forty years, February 24th has been a special day of grace for me, one that challenged me called me to respond.  This year was no different.  
                      

On Tuesday morning I was awakened earlier than usual, and sensed I was being given a gift.  I got out of bed with a sense of expectancy and started doing some research, hoping to get a head start on a reflection paper that was near due.  I had hardly begun when I realized that this new day was February 24th.  Today was an extraordinary day in the life of St. Francis of Assisi, and for that matter, it is a gift handed on to us and to generations yet to come.

On this day in 1208, Francis heard the Gospel of Matthew: 10: 5-16 proclaimed.  After Mass, Francis humbly asked the priest to explain the Gospel to him.  The priest explained it thoroughly, line by line.

  When Francis heard that:   

“Christ’s disciples should not possess gold or silver or money, or carry on their  journey a wallet or a sack, nor bread nor a staff, not to have shoes or two tunics, but that they should preach the kingdom of God and penance, the holy man, Francis immediately exulted in the spirit of God. “This is what I wish, this is what I seek, this is what I long to do with all my heart.” Overflowing with joy, Francis immediately set out to do what he had heard.  Francis was no deaf hearer of the Gospel, but he committed all he had heard to memory and diligently carried it out.  Francis began to preach penance, but always would begin with the greeting: “the Lord give you peace”.

Not unlike the Gospel, Francis’ life and words continue to touch hearts today. Every time I read and reflect on Francis’ conversion story and his wholehearted response, I experience anew within me the initial stirrings of my own call to follow Jesus in the spirit of St. Francis, living the Gospel life in community.   

A line from a song comes to mind:    
“I long for you, O Lord, with all my soul I thirst for you.”  

    Let me, let us begin again.  

Set aside some time to be still and quiet in God’s presence.   

 Ask for the grace to be open and receptive to God’s word.

Is there a scripture passage that reflects God’s relationship with me and one that reflects my relationship with God?  Return there often.

Express your gratitude in: word, music, movement, art …

Eleanor Berret

                                                                             

Lent is moving along at an unstoppable pace; it will be Easter before we know it. This is a good time to stop and see if Lent is preparing us to celebrate the Triduum in a deeper and more meaningful way. Are we spending more time with our God? Are we reaching out to those who are living in poverty, on the margins, or simply alone? Are we working for the healing of our earth? Are we helping our bodies and minds to be whole and healthy?

Lent began as a forty day retreat in preparation for those about to be baptized. Have we made an effort to remember what it means to be baptized Christians, committed followers of Jesus, people who are conscious of their roles in the world as lovers and beloved of God. Are we going to be able to celebrate the washing of the feet on Holy Thursday, knowing what it means to “do this in remembrance of me”? Are we going to be able to celebrate the Passion of Jesus knowing what it means to offer ourselves for the benefit of others? Are we going to be able to sit in vigil knowing that we have helped to bring light into the darkness of our world?

Lent is a gift, an opportunity to grow and to deepen our relationship with God and with each other. Now is the time to unwrap that gift if we have simply let it sit on the shelf. Open it and relish the new life it offers us. Our God who is gracious and merciful offers us joy and peace as we prepare to celebrate our defining feast of Easter.

May the remaining days of Lent be blessing for each of us.

Sister Pat Klemm, OSF