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Servant Council Advent Reflections week Two
Scripture: Mark 1:4 — “John the Baptist proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Exhortation: Baptism initiates us into a life – a way or path – of repentance. When we are baptized, we become lifelong penitents. When John baptized Jesus, the Spirit kissed him with approval and anointed…
Servant Council Advent Reflections Week One
Scripture: Mark 13:33-37 — Jesus said, “Be on your guard, stay awake … Stay awake … What I am saying to you I say to all, Stay awake!” Exhortation: In times of hopelessness or high emotions, we might give in to thinking like others. We might reach for wrong solutions; we might…
PENTECOST 2023
John 20: 21-22 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:1-6 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. (They were…
2022 Lent Reflection 5
The Gospel lesson today is a very familiar one, from John 12:1-8: Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table…
2022 Lenten Reflection 4
The Gospel reading from this past Sunday came from Luke chapter 15. This chapter has stories of lost and found. These stories are very familiar to us. The pastor at the church I attend, who preached on the gospel lesson, reminded us of these three stories. He said recently that…
2022 Lenten Reflection 2
Totally unqualified to write on the subject and requesting your indulgence, I continue your servant council’s Lenten reflections on this year’s topic though I am pretty certain that I am the least knowledgeable in our little order and perhaps even the most unsure-footed among all of God’s followers when it…
2022 Lenten Reflection 3
Hi all, here’s my little reflection on discernment, one of the themes we your OEF Council discerned for this year’s Chapter. In our Chapter, we will discern who will be our next Council, among other things. We owe it to ourselves to do our discernment well, not only as our…
2022 Lent Reflection 1
I come to the wilderness today wondering: Why am I here? What’s this about? Where do I go from here? What am I to do as I go from here? Or, I come wondering: Should I do this thing (right now)? Or that thing? Should I even venture into the…
OEF Council statement on the Russian invasion of the Ukraine
As Franciscans, deeply committed to peace, we are appalled by the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine, grieve for the victims of the ongoing attacks, stand with those in Ukraine, Russia, and beyond who oppose this war, and pray for all concerned. Ми, служителі Ордену францисканців, завжди щиро прихільного ідеям миру,…
Advent Reflection #4
Today’s reading (O.T and Gospel) had a common message, there is good news. In our world at this time there is a need to hear that there is some good news. When I was 6 years old I was in the annual Christmas play, like so many of you all.…