"Lord, increase our faith"

Scripture: Luke 17:5-10

Jesus tells us that with faith we can do far more than we could accomplish by our own strength; faith can even move mountains and trees (see Matthew17:20; Mark 11:23)! What kind of faith did Jesus have in mind here? By faith Jesus meant more than just belief in God and in his power. Jesus spoke of faith as something dynamic, active, and very alive. Expectant faith is a gift God gives us for overcoming obstacles that stand in the way of doing God's will. It enables us to cooperate with God's grace and power for accomplishing whatever God wants us to do. To illustrate the powerful force of faith, Jesus used the image of an uprooted tree.

The term "mountain remover" was used in Jesus' time for describing someone who could solve great problems and difficulties. Don't we often encounter challenges and difficulties which seem beyond our power to handle? What appears impossible to human power is possible to those who believe in God's power.

We must regard ourselves as God's servants, just as Jesus came "not to be served, but to serve" (Matthew 20:28). Service of God and of neighbor is both a voluntary or free act which springs from a generous and merciful heart and a sacred duty which we owe to an all-merciful and gracious God. One can volunteer for public service or be compelled to do service for one's country. Likewise, God expects us to give him the worship and praise which is his due. And he gladly accepts the free-will offering of our lives to him and his service. What makes our offering pleasing to God is the love we express in the gift of self-giving. True love is sacrificial, generous, and selfless.

"Rejoice that your names are written in heaven"

Scripture: Luke 10:17-24

The scriptures tell us that "the joy of the Lord is our strength" (Nehemiah 8:10). Why does Jesus tell his disciples to not take joy in their own successes, even spiritual ones? Jesus makes clear that the true source of our joy is God himself, and God alone. Regardless of the circumstances, in good times and bad times, in success or loss, God always assures us of victory in Jesus Christ. Jesus assures his disciples that he has all power over evil, including the power of Satan and the evil spirits or fallen angels who conspire against us. In fact, that is why Jesus came into the world to overthrow the evil one (John 12:31). We, too, as disciples of Jesus have been given spiritual authority and power for overcoming the works of darkness and evil (1 John 2:13-14).

Life of Gospel Brotherhood

LIFE OF GOSPEL BROTHERHOOD

St.Francis applied this term first of all to the order as a whole: He would say : "I want the order to be called the order of lesser brothers". Hence, the term expresses the real character of the order.
Creating in the fraternities a family -life, simple and joyful atmosphere in which each brother can freely grow developing mutual trust, understanding and esteem for one another.
Our constitutions clearly state that the first apostolate of the friar minor is to live the Gospel life in this world.
Before all else, we must bear witness to Brotherly life, lived with the people and for the people, with the poor and for the poor.
Coming together is the beginning
sharing together is the progress
working together is success.

Man of Peace, Poor and Humble St.Francis

For Francis, the Eucharist became the deepest source of support for his desire for cosmic peace and reconciliation. Just two years before he died, St. Francis said: "I beseech all of you, by whatever charity I can, that you show reverence and all honor to the most Holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, because (in Him) all things, whether on earth or in heaven have been pacified and reconciled with Almighty God".
Reflection :

If we have God as our source of strength and inspiration ,then we can continue to be effective agents of the Kingdom.

-' Poverty is the way to Heaven ,the nurse-maid of humility ,and the root of perfection'

PRAYER :

Loving God teach me to be humble and lowly of heart,

teach me to empty myself of pride and self-seeking ,

To become like a child to be humble, So that I may place

all my trust in You like Your Humble servant Francis !

I pray with St. Paul When I am tempted, Lord, to despair in

the face of ongoing evil, give me hope. When I am tempted to

judge others harshly for their failings, give me patience and

the ability to see my own failings. When I am tempted to give

up trying to live your laws, give me courage !

A VERY HOLY HAPPY FEAST OF ST.FRANCIS

May the Good Lord bless you and give you His peace in and through St. Francis. Have a nice day!

"No one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God"

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

With the call the Lord gives the grace to respond and the strength to follow all the way to the end. Why does Jesus issue a challenge with the call? Jesus was utterly honest in telling people what it would cost to follow him. When a would-be disciple approached Jesus and said he was ready to follow, Jesus told him it would require sacrifice.We are free to decide whether we will take the path which Jesus offers. But if we choose to go, then the Lord wants us to count the cost and choose for it freely.
What does the story of a plowman have to do with the journey? A plowman who looked back while plowing caused his furrow to be crooked. He had to look straight ahead in order to keep the plow from going off course. Likewise, if we look back on what we have freely left behind to follow the Lord, our path will likely diverge and we'll miss what God has for us.

"Their angels always behold the face of my Father"

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-5, 10 (alternate reading: Luke 9:51-56)

God dwells with the lowly and regards them with compassion. His angels watch over them as guardians. "For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways" (Psalm 91:11). God has not left us alone in our struggle "to refuse evil and to choose good" (Isaiah 7:15). The angels are his "ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation" (Heb. 1:14). Scripture is full of examples of how the angels serve as messengers and protectors. When Peter was chained in prison and kept under guard, an angel woke him in middle of the night, released his chains, and brought him safely out of prison, past several guards and through locked gates. When Peter realized he wasn't dreaming, he exclaimed: "Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me" (Acts 12:11). When Daniel was thrown into a den of hungry lions, an angel protected him from harm.

Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we, too, join with angelic choirs in singing the praises of God.

"Jesus perceived the thought of their hearts"

Scripture: Luke 9:46-50

The appetite for glory and greatness seems to be inbred in us. Who doesn't cherish the ambition to be "somebody" whom others admire rather than a "nobody"? Even the psalms speak about the glory God has destined for us. "You have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor" (Psalm 8:5). Jesus made a dramatic gesture by placing a child next to himself to show his disciples who really is the greatest in the kingdom of God.
What is the significance of Jesus' gesture? Jesus elevated a little child in the presence of his disciples by placing the child in a privileged position of honor at his right side. It is customary, even today, to seat the guest of honor at the right side of the host. Who is the greatest in God's kingdom? The one who is humble and lowly of heart — who instead of asserting their rights willingly empty themselves of pride and self-seeking glory by taking the lowly position of a servant or child.
Jesus, himself, is our model. He came not to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:28). Paul the Apostles states that Jesus "emptied himself and took the form of a servant" (Phil. 2:7).