Francican Family get together

It was a joyful occasion for us ,the General Spiritual Assitants to be with Secular Franciscan Family . Yesterday on 5th January accepting the invitation of Benedetto Lino and his wife Gilda, we 4 General Spiritual Assitants Ivan ,Martin, Amando and Irudaya Samy have visited his family. It was a joyful and frateranl get together ofcourse with delicious lunch prepared by Benedetto's Wife Gilda. Anna Maria, Francesco and Irene from CIOFS secretariat added the flavour to our gathering. Thank you dear Brother Benedetto and Gilda for your frateranl invitation, amicable atmosphere and sumptuous lunch. God reward you.

Feast of Epiphany

"They fell down and worshiped Jesus"

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Jesus was born in obscurity. Only the lowly shepherds recognized him at his birth. Some wise men also found their way to Bethlehem to pay homage to the newborn King of Israel. These 3 kings were not Israelites, but foreigners. They likely had read and discussed the Messianic prophecies and were anxious to see when this Messianic King would appear. God led them by means of an extraordinary star across the desert to the little town where Jesus was born. In their thirst for the knowledge of God, they willingly left everything, their home and country, in pursuit of that quest.

To know and to encounter Jesus Christ is to know God personally. In the encounter of the wise men with Jesus we see the plan of God to give his only Son as King and Savior, not just for the Jewish people but for all the nations as well. The Lord Jesus came that both Jew and Gentile might find true and lasting peace with God. Let us pray today that Jew and Gentile alike will find the Lord and Savior on their journey of life. Do you bring the light of Jesus Christ to those you meet through the witness of your life and testimony?

"Come and see"

Scripture: John 1:43-51

Nathaniel was amazed that Jesus already knew him and called him "an Israelite in whom is no guile" (Psalm 32:2). How could Jesus know his heart and his deepest thoughts and desires? Jesus spoke a word to Nathaniel and it set his heart ablaze with wonder! Nathaniel was hungry for knowledge of God. He really wanted to know God personally. God places in every heart a longing and desire to know the One who created us in love for love. That is why Saint Augustine of Hippo, who found God only after many years of wandering in disbelief and darkness, exclaimed in his autobiographical Confessions: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”

"Behold the Lamb of God!"

Scripture: John 1:35-42

John in his characteristic humility was eager to point beyond himself to the Christ – the anointed one sent from God to redeem his people. He did not hesitate to direct his disciples to the Lord Jesus. When two of John’s disciples began to seek Jesus out, Jesus took the initiative to invite them into his company. He did not wait for them to get his attention. Instead he met them halfway. He asked them one of the most fundamental questions of life: “What are you looking for?” What were they looking for in Jesus and what were they aiming to get out of life? Jesus asks each of us the same question: “What’s the goal of your life? What are you aiming for and trying to get out of life?”

"Behold the Lamb of God!"

Scripture: John 1:29-34

John calls Jesus the Lamb of God and thus signifies Jesus' mission as the One who redeems us from our sins. The blood of the Passover Lamb (Exodus 12) delivered the Israelites in Egypt from death. The blood of Jesus, the true Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7), delivers us from everlasting death and destruction. It is significant that John was the son of a priest, Zachariah, who participated in the daily sacrifice of a lamb in the temple for the sins of the people (Exodus 29). In Jesus he saw the true and only sacrifice which can deliver us from sin. When John says he did not know Jesus he was referring to the hidden reality of Jesus divinity. But the Holy Spirit in that hour revealed to John Jesus' true nature, such that John bore witness that this is the Son of God. We can only know who Jesus truly is through the Holy Spirit who reveals him to us.

"The Christ ...the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie"

Scripture: John 1:19-28


John the Baptist was the greatest of the prophets, yet he lived as a humble and faithful servant of God. He pointed others to Jesus, Messiah and Savior of the world. The Christian church from the earliest of times has given John many titles which signify his mission: Witness of the Lord, Trumpet of Heaven, Herald of Christ, Voice of the Word, Precursor of Truth, Friend of the Bridegroom, Crown of the Prophets, Forerunner of the Redeemer, Preparer of Salvation, Light of the Martyrs, and Servant of the Word.

MARY THE MOTHER OF GOD AND WORLD PEACE DAY

On this first day of the year, we are celebrating the feast of the divine motherhood of Mary. The motherhood of Mary point to the mystery of our faith, the Incarnation.

"THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU: MAY THE LORD LET HIS FACE SHINE UPON YOU AND BE GRACIOUS TO YOU: THE LORD LOOK UPON YOU KINDLY AND GIVE YOU PEACE."

This is the word of God and blessing on year day to us . It is a word of blessing, graciusness and peace. The sSon of God was born of a woman to convence us men that God really cares for us.
It is in the name of Jesus we begin this NEW YEAR. We trust in Mary's maternal intercession.


I Wish you all

God's wonderful blessings and

A very prosperous, healthy, happy New Year

Since 1968, every January 1 has been celebrated as the World Day of Peace. May all of us become an instrument of peace where we live.