Franciscan quotation

Our labor here is brief, but the reward is eternal. Do not be disturbed by the clamor of the world, which passes like a shadow. Do not let false delights of a deceptive world deceive you. - St. Clare of Assisi

Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation (Archbishop Chaput)

We've all had friends tell us "I'm spiritual, but not religious." By that they usually mean they find purpose and communion with some higher power without the baggage of a religious tradition or other people telling them what to believe. This may sound appealing. But it isn't Christianity. - Archbishop Charles Chaput O.F.M. Cap.

Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation

All past persecutors of the Church are now no more, but the Church still lives on. The same fate awaits modern persecutors; they, too, will pass on, but the Church of Jesus Christ will always remain, for God has pledged His Word to protect Her and be with Her forever, until the end of time. - St. John Bosco

Pax et bonum

Pope Francis Derangement Syndrome

Various commentators have claimed that there is a "Trump Derangement Syndrome." Those suffering from this "syndrome" hate President Trump. They focus on what they regard as bad things he's done, and indeed seemingly give a negative spin to everything he does.

And the media, which he has repeatedly attacked, has stoked the fires with misreporting, bias, and outright lies.

Now I do admit I disagree with a number of things that Trump has said or done, but I'm also willing to admit when he is right. Of course, the minute I defend him in any way, or seek to refute misinformation about him, those suffering from TDS go after me.

I see a similar tendency toward negativity among some people toward Pope Francis. He is attacked, called a heretic, a bad Pope, and so on. There seems to be a Pope Francis Derangement Syndrome.

Part of the problem is misreporting in the media. He also has a tendency to speak off the cuff, which lends itself to misunderstanding. He does lack the poetic eloquence of Pope St. John Paul II, and the academic verbal precision of Pope Benedict XVI. And his focus is more pastoral than theological.

Sometimes he merits questions, even criticism, but the attacks, the snide comments, cross the line.

Here's a couple of examples:

This is what is so disturbing about Francis. His willingness to take something that is sacred and turn it into something that profaned God. A Jesuit should never have been made pope. The S in SJ, stands for Satan. SJ is Satan's Jesuits.
 
                 
I think Pope Francis as a Jesuit should clarify whetehr (sic) he supports the views of these leading Jesuit schools. Will he make a statement? I don't believe he will, because he doesn't seem to want to provide leadership for the Catholic flock.


It is now clear to all objective observers that the two “synods on the family”, held in 2014 and 2015, were intended from the beginning to try to force changes in Catholic teaching on marriage and the family. The process culminated in the Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, promulgated by Pope Francis in April 2016, which contains numerous heretical proposition.


Faithful Catholics must prepare themselves for the inevitable escalation of this new assault on the Church, in which her own ill-catechised and malformed youth will be used against her. Those who control the mechanisms of power in the Vatican have given ample of proof of the extent to which they will go to spread their own perverted and distorted “gospel”, in the place of the true gospel revealed once and for all by Our Lord Jesus Christ.

I try to be more Franciscan in my approach. As Pope, he deserves respect.

St. Francis in his Admonitions talked about respect for clergy, even those guilty of sin.

"26. That the Servants of God should honor Clerics.

Blessed is the servant of God who exhibits confidence in clerics who live uprightly according to the form of the holy Roman Church. And woe to those who despise them: for even though they [the clerics] may be sinners, nevertheless no one ought to judge them, because the Lord Himself reserves to Himself alone the right of judging them. For as the administration with which they are charged, to wit, of the most holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which they receive and which they alone administer to others—is greater than all others, even so the sin of those who offend against them is greater than any against all the other men in this world."

I think that Admonition is something more of us needs to heed when it comes to Pope Francis.

Pax et bonum

Setting up (school year begins)

I've now spent a couple of days in my new classroom, arranging desks, putting up pictures and posters, organizing the files and the desk. I still have a couple of days left - including copying stories and materials for the opening day.

It's strange after years at one school and in one classroom having to start over.

At this school, it's more than just setting up my room. I'm teaching new courses, new grade levels, under a very different educational system - Catholic Classical Liberal Educations (Liberal as in broad, not political). A very different approach, requiring some creative thinking. I'll be able to use some of my old stories and materials, but in different ways. Most of the stroes and materilas, though, will be new.

I'm both excited, and nervous.

Classes start next week.

St. John Bosco, pray for me.

Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation

If young people are educated properly, we have moral order; if not, vice and disorder prevail. Religion alone can initiate and achieve a true education. - St. John Bosco

Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation

“Act today in such a way that you need not blush tomorrow.” - Saint John Bosco

Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation (King St. Louis)

The first thing I advise is that you fix your whole heart upon God, and love Him with all your strength, for without this no one can be saved or be of any worth. - King St. Louis, Advice to his son


Pax et bonum

St. Louis IX - Advice to his son

King St. Louis IX - a Secular Franciscan - penned the following letter of advice to his son:

1. To his dear first-born son, Philip, greeting, and his father's love.

2. Dear son, since I desire with all my heart that you be well "instructed in all things, it is in my thought to give you some advice this writing. For I have heard you say, several times, that you remember my words better than those of any one else.  3. Therefore, dear son, the first thing I advise is that you fix your whole heart upon God, and love Him with all your strength, for without this no one can be saved or be of any worth.  4- You should, with all your strength, shun everything which you believe to be displeasing to Him. And you ought especially to be resolved not to commit mortal sin, no matter what may happen and should permit all your limbs to be hewn off, and suffer every manner of torment , rather than fall knowingly into mortal sin.  5. If our Lord send you any adversity, whether illness or other in good patience, and thank Him for it, thing, you should receive it in good patience and be thankful for it, for you ought to believe that He will cause everthing to turn out for your good; and likewise you should think that you have well merited it, and more also, should He will it, because you have loved Him but little, and served Him but little, and have done many things contrary to His will.  6. If our Lord send you any prosperity, either health of body or other thing you ought to thank Him humbly for it, and you ought to be careful that you are not the worse for it, either through pride or anything else, for it is a very great sin to fight against our Lord with His gifts.  7. Dear son, I advise you that you accustom yourself to frequent confession, and that you choose always, as your confessors, men who are upright and sufficiently learned, and who can teach you what you should do and what you should avoid. You should so carry yourself that your confessors and other friends may dare confidently to reprove you and show you your faults.  8. Dear son, I advise you that you listen willingly and devoutly the services of Holy Church, and, when you are in church, avoid to frivolity and trifling, and do not look here and there; but pray to God with lips and heart alike, while entertaining sweet thoughts about Him, and especially at the mass, when the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ are consecrated, and for a little time before.  9. Dear son, have a tender pitiful heart for the poor, and for all those whom you believe to be in misery of heart or body, and, according to your ability, comfort and aid them with some alms.  10. Maintain the good customs of your realm, and put down the bad ones. Do not oppress your people and do not burden them with tolls or tailles, except under very great necessity.  11. If you have any unrest of heart, of such a nature that it may be told, tell it to your confessor, or to some upright man who can keep your secret; you will be able to carry more easily the thought of your heart.  12. See to it that those of your household are upright and loyal, and remember the Scripture, which says: "Elige viros timentes Deum in quibus sit justicia et qui oderint avariciam"; that is to say, "Love those who serve God and who render strict justice and hate covetousness"; and you will profit, and will govern your kingdom well.  13. Dear son, see to it that all your associates are upright, whether clerics or laymen, and have frequent good converse with them; and flee the society of the bad. And listen willingly to the word of God, both in open and in secret; and purchase freely prayers and pardons. 14. Love all good, and hate all evil, in whomsoever it may be.  15. Let no one be so bold as to say, in your presence, words which attract and lead to sin, and do not permit words of detraction to be spoken of another behind his back.  16. Suffer it not that any ill be spoken of God or His saints in your presence, without taking prompt vengeance. But if the offender be a clerk or so great a person that you ought not to try him, report the matter to him who is entitled to judge it.  17. Dear son, give thanks to God often for all the good things He has done for you, so that you may be worthy to receive more, in such a manner that if it please the Lord that you come to the burden and honor of governing the kingdom, you may be worthy to receive the sacred unction wherewith the kings of France are consecrated.  18. Dear son, if you come to the throne, strive to have that which befits a king, that is to say, that in justice and rectitude you hold yourself steadfast and loyal toward your subjects and your vassals, without turning either to the right or to the left, but always straight, whatever may happen. And if a poor man have a quarrel with a rich man, sustain the poor rather than the rich, until the truth is made clear, and when you know the truth, do justice to them.  19. If any one have entered into a suit against you (for any injury or wrong which he may believe that you have done to him), be always for him and against yourself in the presence of your council, without showing that you think much of your case (until the truth be made known concerning it); for those of your council might be backward in speaking against you, and this you should not wish; and command your judges that you be not in any way upheld more than any others, for thus will your councillors judge more boldly according to right and truth.  20. If you have anything belonging to another, either of yourself or through your predecessors, if the matter is certain, give it up without delay, however great it may be, either in land or money or otherwise. If the matter is doubtful, have it inquired into by wise men, promptly and diligently. And if the affair is so obscure that you cannot know the truth, make such a settlement, by the counsel of s of upright men, that your soul, and the soul your predecessors, may be wholly freed from the affair. And even if you hear some one say that your predecessors made restitution, make diligent inquiry to learn if anything remains to be restored; and if you find that such is the case, cause it to be delivered over at once, for the liberation of your soul and the souls of your predecessors.  21. You should seek earnestly how your vassals and your subjects may live in peace and rectitude beneath your sway; likewise, the good towns and the good cities of your kingdom. And preserve them in the estate and the liberty in which your predecessors kept them, redress it, and if there be anything to amend, amend and preserve their favor and their love. For it is by the strength and the riches of your good cities and your good towns that the native and the foreigner, especially your peers and your barons, are deterred from doing ill to you. I will remember that Paris and the good towns of my kingdom aided me against the barons, when I was newly crowned.  22. Honor and love all the people of Holy Church, and be careful that no violence be done to them, and that their gifts and alms, which your predecessors have bestowed upon them, be not taken away or diminished. And I wish here to tell you what is related concerning King Philip, my ancestor, as one of his council, who said he heard it, told it to me. The king, one day, was with his privy council, and he was there who told me these words. And one of the king's councillors said to him how much wrong and loss he suffered from those of Holy Church, in that they took away his rights and lessened the jurisdiction of his court; and they marveled greatly how he endured it. And the good king answered: "I am quite certain that they do me much wrong, but when I consider the goodnesses and kindnesses which God has done me, I had rather that my rights should go, than have a contention or awaken a quarrel with Holy Church." And this I tell to you that you may not lightly believe anything against the people of Holy Church; so love them and honor them and watch over them that they may in peace do the service of our Lord.  23. Moreover, I advise you to love dearly the clergy, and, so far as you are able, do good to them in their necessities, and likewise love those by whom God is most honored and served, and by whom the Faith is preached and exalted.  24. Dear son, I advise that you love and reverence your father and your mother, willingly remember and keep their commandments, and be inclined to believe their good counsels.  25. Love your brothers, and always wish their well-being and their good advancement, and also be to them in the place of a father, to instruct them in all good. But be watchful lest, for the love which you bear to one, you turn aside from right doing, and do to the others that which is not meet.  26. Dear son, I advise you to bestow the benefices of Holy Church which you have to give, upon good persons, of good and clean life, and that you bestow them with the high counsel of upright men. And I am of the opinion that it is preferable to give them to those who hold nothing of Holy Church, rather than to others. For, if you inquire diligently, you will find enough of those who have nothing who will use wisely that entrusted to them.  27. Dear son, I advise you that you try with all your strength to avoid warring against any Christian man, unless he have done you too much ill. And if wrong be done you, try several ways to see if you can find how you can secure your rights, before you make war; and act thus in order to avoid the sins which are committed in warfare.  28. And if it fall out that it is needful that you should make war (either because some one of your vassals has failed to plead his case in your court, or because he has done wrong to some church or to some poor person, or to any other person whatsoever, and is unwilling to make amends out of regard for you, or for any other reasonable cause), whatever the reason for which it is necessary for you to make war, give diligent command that the poor folk who have done no wrong or crime be protected from damage to their vines, either through fire or otherwise, for it were more fitting that you should constrain the wrongdoer by taking his own property (either towns or castles, by force of siege), than that you should devastate the property of poor people. And be careful not to start the war before you have good counsel that the cause is most reasonable, and before you have summoned the offender to make amends, and have waited as long as you should. And if he ask mercy, you ought to pardon him, and accept his amende, so that God may be pleased with you.  29. Dear son, I advise you to appease wars and contentions, whether they be yours or those of your subjects, just as quickly as may be, for it is a thing most pleasing to our Lord. And Monsignore Martin gave us a very great example of this. For, one time, when our Lord made it known to him that he was about to die, he set out to make peace between certain clerks of his archbishopric, and he was of the opinion that in so doing he was giving a good end to life.  30. Seek diligently, most sweet son, to have good baillis and good prevots in your land, and inquire frequently concerning their doings, and how they conduct themselves, and if they administer justice well, and do no wrong to any one, nor anything which they ought not do. Inquire more often concerning those of your household if they be too covetous or too arrogant; for it is natural that the members should seek to imitate their chief; that is, when the master is wise and well-behaved, all those of his household follow his example and prefer it. For however much you ought to hate evil in others, you shoud have more hatred for the evil which comes from those who derive their power from you, than you bear to the evil of others; and the more ought you to be on your guard and prevent this from happening.  31. Dear son, I advise you always to be devoted to the Church of Rome, and to the sovereign pontiff, our father, and to bear him the the reverence and honor which you owe to your spiritual father.  32. Dear son, freely give power to persons of good character, who know how to use it well, and strive to have wickednesses expelled from your land, that is to say, nasty oaths, and everything said or done against God or our Lady or the saints. In a wise and proper manner put a stop, in your land, to bodily sins, dicing, taverns, and other sins. Put down heresy so far as you can, and hold in especial abhorrence Jews, and all sorts of people who are hostile to the Faith, so that your land may be well purged of them, in such manner as, by the sage counsel of good people, may appear to you advisable.  33. Further the right with all your strength. Moreover I admonish you you that you strive most earnestly to show your gratitude for the benefits which our Lord has bestowed upon you, and that you may know how to give Him thanks therefore  34. Dear son, take care that the expenses of your household are reasonable and moderate, and that its moneys are justly obtained. And there is one opinion that I deeply wish you to entertain, that is to say, that you keep yourself free from foolish expenses and evil exactions, and that your money should be well expended and well acquired. And this opinion, together with other opinions which are suitable and profitable, I pray that our Lord may teach you.  35. Finally, most sweet son, I conjure and require you that, if it please our Lord that I should die before you, you have my soul succored with masses and orisons, and that you send through the congregations of the kingdom of France, and demand their prayers for my soul, and that you grant me a special and full part in all the good deeds which you perform.
36. In conclusion, dear son, I give you all the blessings which a good and tender father can give to a son, and I pray our Lord Jesus Christ, by His mercy, by the prayers and merits of His blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary, and of angels and archangels and of all the saints, to guard and protect you from doing anything contrary to His will, and to give you grace to do it always, so that He may be honored and served by you. And this may He do to me as to you, by His great bounty, so that after this mortal life we may be able to be together with Him in the eternal life, and see Him, love Him, and praise Him without end. Amen. And glory, honor, and praise be to Him who is one God with the Father and the Holy Spirit; without beginning and without end. Amen.

--- Some good advice for all of us!

Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation

Christ's kingdom doesn't come because of an inexorable, impersonal force. It comes because God builds it with our hands. Christian hope compels us to be faithful to our spouses and care for our children, to feed the hungry and welcome immigrants, to visit prisoners and sit by the dying right now. - Archbishop Charles J. Chaput.

Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation

The true friends of the people are neither revolutionaries, not innovators, but traditionalists. - Pope Saint Pius X

Pax et bonum

No, Jesus Did Not Learn to Overcome Prejudice from the Canaanite Woman | ChurchPOP

Good response to some troubling - and wrong - tweets.



No, Jesus Did Not Learn to Overcome Prejudice from the Canaanite Woman | ChurchPOP





Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation

Holy Communion is the shortest and surest way to Heaven. There are others, innocence, for instance, but that is for little children; penance, but we are afraid of it; generous endurance of the trials of life, but when they come we weep and ask to be spared. Once for all, beloved children, the surest, easiest, shortest way is by the Eucharist. It is so easy to approach the holy table, and there we taste the joys of Paradise. - Pope Saint Pius X

Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation

“A belief in the immortality of the human soul, of the survival of the person beyond death, is one of the most important expressions of human hope.” - Father Benedict Groeschel

Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation

“If you do not know your own dignity and condition, you cannot value anything at its proper worth.” – Saint Bonaventure

Pax et bonum

We don't need no stinkin' trial (Charlottesville)

Some facts are clear.

James Fields, a troubled 20 year, was in Charlottesville to be part of the White nationalist protest when he drove down a street at a high rate of speed striking vehicles and people and killing Heather Heyer. He then backed up, fled, and was later arrested. Among the charges he is facing is second-degree murder.

Many on social media have already convicted him of murder.

Guilty. Guilty. Guilty.

It's as if some folks would like to save time and money and not bother with a trial.

I think it likely he will be convicted of crimes - such as fleeing the scene of an accident - and face jail time.

But ...

The investigation has not been completed. He has not been tried.

Now after the investigation it may be found that he did indeed maliciously, deliberately drive into that crowd. If so, the murder charge will likely hold up.

On the other hand, the investigation may reveal that he did not do it deliberately and intentionally.

There are reports - including allegedly some video footage and pictures - that seem to show he was driving slowly down that street and only sped up after his care was attacked. There is the possibility that he panicked, hit the gas, and that led to the tragedy. And when he did hit the vehicles and people, his car was also under attack, so he fled, perhaps fearing for his life. Indeed, initial police reports describe him as scared. Scared because he got caught? Scared because of what happened? Or scared because he felt threatened?

And remember that he is a troubled 20-year-old. Twenty-year-olds notoriously show poor judgment and self-control.

In other words, the investigation might reveal mitigating circumstances that, if true, could potentially lead to conviction on lesser charges.

There's no excuse for racism. Showing up to take part in a White Nationalism protest was inexcusable.

But I used to be 20, and I know I did and said stupid things. Nothing on the scale of evil that Fields has reportedly done - I never voiced hatred for any race. ethnicity, or religious group, for example. I did, however, show poor judgment at times. I did take part in marches and protests, and they could have turned violent.

I'm not justifying anything he did. I do think he needs to be tried. And I think the movement he's part of needs to be denounced and opposed (nonviolently).

Still, I think we need to wait for the investigation to be competed and the evidence to be revealed before we try and convict him. I refuse to hate him, call him names, or slap a label on him.

Otherwise, aren't we acting with the kind of prejudice - pre-judging - and hatred we condemn him and the White Nationalists, KKK, and neo-Nazis for doing?

Instead, we need to pray for Heather Heyer, for the other victims, and, yes, for James Fields.

Pax et bonum

How to Turn the Tables on Four Pro-Choice Arguments

Good read - great responses.



How to Turn the Tables on Four Pro-Choice Arguments: Imagine you and a good friend decide to play a game of chess. As you sit down, your friend takes your queen off the board and puts it back in the box with no ex

Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation

The simplification of our lives is not so much in what we rid ourselves of as in what we concentrate on, what focuses the soul. - Father Murray Bodo, O.F.M.


Pax et bonum

Advice from Bishop Barron: Read C.S. Lewis' "The Great Divorce"

... Just recently, I followed, with rapt attention, a book that I had read many years ago but which I had, I confess, largely forgotten: C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce. The inspiration for this theological fantasy is the medieval idea of the refrigerium, the refreshment or vacation from Hell granted to some of the souls abiding there. ...





A Bishop Explains Why You Should Read C.S. Lewis' Masterpiece "The Great Divorce" | ChurchPOP

Franciscan quotation

"It's 'Heaven Begun', for the grateful on earth." - Father Solanus Casey

Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation

O Lord, our God, you have proclaimed yourself to be the first and last. Teach your servant to show by reason what he holds with faith most certain, that you are the most eminent, the first efficient cause and the last end. - John Duns Scotus

Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation (More Archbishop Chaput)

In a world of hyperbole, duplicity, factual disfigurement, and spin, speaking plainly and living honestly in obedience to Jesus Christ is an abnormal behavior. - Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.

Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation

“No one in the world can change Truth. What we can do and and should do is to seek truth and to serve it when we have found it. The real conflict is the inner conflict. Beyond armies of occupation and the hetacombs of extermination camps, there are two irreconcilable enemies in the depth of every soul: good and evil, sin and love. And what use are the victories on the battlefield if we are ourselves are defeated in our innermost personal selves?” - St. Maximilian Kolbe

Pax et bonum

Martin Luther King Jr’s Niece Alveda King: Abortion is Racism and Takes Away the Civil Rights of Unborn Babies

Racism is on our minds these days. Here's another way it is manifested.



Martin Luther King Jr’s Niece Alveda King: Abortion is Racism and Takes Away the Civil Rights of Unborn Babies: Alveda King the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King jr is responding today to the white supremacy protests in Charlottesville, Virginia. King says the white supr

Pax et bonum

Charlottesville thoughts

Under the Constitution, people have the right to voice their views - no matter how repugnant they are - as long as they do not commit acts of violence against others, encourage acts of violence against others directly or indirectly, or threaten or unjustly infringe upon the rights of others.

So the white supremacists who marched in Charlottesville had a right to express their racist, repugnant views. But they did so in violent ways, prepared for violence with their weapons and shields, in defiance of the law. That was beyond what their "right" allowed.

And as a result, a woman is dead and many others injured.

Catholic leaders are right to denounce what happened.

The man directly involved in the killing is under arrest and face charges. I think others should face charges - criminal or civil - for what happened.

The sad thing is that there have been an increasing number of violent incidents from both the right and left. We saw the direct violence of the shooting at the softball field earlier this summer, and now this. I fear more is to come.

May God forgive us for allowing this to happen.

Let us pray that we can head off more such violence.

Let us look to our own words and actions that help to increase the violence in any way.

Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation

Pornography, cohabiting, adultery - all these things push us away from God. They also inflict on us a kind of self-mutilation, as we sever what we do with our bodies from our true selves. - Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.

Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation

No ignorance of truth is a personal sin before God, except that ignorance which springs from personal sin.  - Edward Cardinal Manning

Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation (St. Clare)

 

Place your mind before the mirror of eternity! Place your soul in the brilliance of glory! And transform your entire being into the image of the Godhead Itself through contemplation. - Saint Clare of Assisi         

Pax et bonum

Tensions Escalate As North Korea Threatens To Deploy LCWR Nuns On West

Tensions Escalate As North Korea Threatens To Deploy LCWR Nuns On West

Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation

Beauty awakens the soul to act. - Dante

Pax et bonum

Evangelizing for most of us

We are all called to evangelize, but the thought of doing so intimidates many. They think you need a degree in theology, or be a Bible scholar, or be a canon lawyer in order to do so.

But in reality, we can evangelize simply by living and through small actions and symbols. Here's a few ideas.

Wear your faith on your sleeve - or on your lapel, or around your neck.

All of us can wear some item that identifies our faith without standing on a soapbox. I am a Secular Franciscan, so I wear a Tau Cross - ether as a cross around my neck, or as a lapel pin. That's our habit, but it also is a witness that sometimes spurs conversation as people ask about my cross,

Other people could wear a pin, a necklace, some item that identifies one as a Christian.

Along the same line, we can choose clothing that identifies us - a tie, a tee-shirt, a mantilla, whatever.

Not only can what we wear be a way to witness, it can be a reminder to us to watch what we say and do.

And conversely, it can make us more conscious of what we should not wear. Is wearing a "Co-ed Naked Volleyball" tee-shirt really a way to say "I am a Christian" - or something we'd like to face God wearing?

Try praying publicly.

I remember years ago when I was hitchhiking (yes, you could get away with it in those days), and a man picked me up. We started chatting, and I noticed something on his finger. I asked what it was, and he explained that it was a finger rosary, and that he prays the rosary when he's driving.

I never forgot that. I now do the same thing. That man had evangelized by simply praying.

There are other ways to do that. Make a sign of the cross - notice how when athletes do that people comment? Bow or tip you hat when you pass a church.

And what about saying Grace in a restaurant?

Watch what you say.

It's so easy to get caught up in negative conversations at family gatherings, at work, when out with friends. We fall into criticizing, gossiping, and tearing down others. What if we did not take part? What if we changed the subject? What is we responded with something positive? What if we said it made us uncomfortable? What a witness.

Along that line, our conversations have gotten coarser, full of foul words and sexual innuendo. Just as with the talking about others, what if we refused to use the crude language? If we feel braver, maybe even say something.

I had a co-worker who came up with a way to stop it. She taught a night school course, and a number of the men in the class tended to use foul language, with f-bombs flying. She realized they were not doing so maliciously, it was just a habit. So one night she walked into class and substituted f-bobs for every adjective and adverb. The guys were shocked, then they got it and cleaned up their own language. I wouldn't do that myself, but it worked.

Anyway, by avoiding the talk, being aware of our own words, maybe helping others to look at what they are saying, we can witness to others, and so evangelize.

Use common courtesy.

Each day we have so many moments when we can treat others with respect and courtesy. Let someone else go first. Hold a door. Make room for another driver to switch lanes. Smile. Say please and thank you and sorry. Say "God bless you."

Yes, I know these all might be just courteous, but in a world where courtesy is increasingly rare, such gestures stand out. And if others then see our religious pins or bumper stickers, they might then link how we are behaving to what we believe.

I'm sure people can come up with more examples. But the point is we can all evangelize every day in so many ways.

Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation

A peaceful man does more good than a learned one. - Pope St. John XXIII
Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation (more Archbishop Chaput)

“When Catholics oppose abortion, they do so not because of some special Catholic religious doctrine or simply because the church says so. Rather, the church teaches abortion is wrong because it already is. Abortion violates the universal natural law by abusing the inherent human rights of the unborn child. The injustice of genocide, oppressing the poor, the killing unborn children is not a matter of religious doctrine. It’s a matter of natural law.” – Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.

Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation (Archbishop Chaput)

Consumer culture - the world we live in every day - is deeply anti-Christian not just in its gluttony and its exclusion of the needs of others, but also in its damage to the mature, clear-thinking self. - Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.

Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation (Pope St. John XXIII on peace)

Nuclear weapons must be banned. A general agreement must be reached on a suitable disarmament program, with an effective system of mutual control. Everyone, however, must realize that, unless this process of disarmament be thoroughgoing and complete, and reach men's very souls, it is impossible to stop the arms race, or to reduce armaments, or, and this is the main thing, ultimately to abolish them entirely. Everyone must sincerely co-operate in the effort to banish fear and the anxious expectation of war from men's minds. But this requires that the fundamental principles upon which peace is based in today's world be replaced by an altogether different one, namely, the realization that true and lasting peace among nations cannot consist in the possession of an equal supply of armaments but only in mutual trust. - Pope St. John XXIII (Pacem in Terris)

Pax et bonum

Remembering Hiroshima

walking in the woods
noticing all the mushrooms -
August 6

Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation

“The man of impure speech is a person whose lips are but an opening and a supply pipe which hell uses to vomit its impurities upon the earth.” — Saint John Vianney

Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation

It is always springtime in the heart that loves God. - Saint Jean (John) Vianney 

Pax et bonum

Methuselah clerihew

 

Methuselah
was one long-lived fella.
It wasn't because longevity was bred in his bones,
he was just determined to pay off all his college loans.

Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation

Death has no terrors for a sincere servant of Christ who is laboring to bring souls to a knowledge of the truth.  - Blessed Ramon Llull

Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation

“Be sure that you first preach by the way you live. If you do not, people will notice that you say one thing, but live otherwise, and your words will bring only cynical laughter and a derisive shake of the head.” - Saint Charles Borromeo 

Pax et bonum

Brother (Cover) || Franciscan Friars of the Renewal

Pax et bonum

Rising || Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (ft. Fr. Tansi, CFR)

Pax et bonum

Franciscan quotation

“The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the Creator.” - Louis Pasteur

Pax et bonum