Franciscan Media

In the Gospel, the Lord invites us to accept our mission without placing conditions. It is an important message which we must never forget. Mary is an example of discipleship for us who, like her, have received a vocation. Her trusting response, “Be it done unto me according to your word,” reminds us of her words at the wedding feast of Cana: “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). Her example is an invitation to serve as she served.

O God, who gives your missionaries the zeal to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to the nations, give us the desire to advance your kingdom wherever we may be. May we share a deep desire to show you more clearly to others, to love you more dearly in others, and to follow you more closely in all that we do each day of our lives. Amen.

There has always been a diverse group of personalities at table with the Lord. At this time in history, you and I now are present. We, like the apostles, are unreliable and weak and afraid. We are inconstant in our devotion to our Lord. We deny him, we betray him. But Jesus is I Am. He is constant.

– from Meeting God in the Upper Room: Three Moments to Change Your Life

I want to be a woman whose faith in God’s promises holds no matter how long there is no visible evidence of it—a woman who uses her voice to bring hope to the weary and to rejoice with those who rejoice. I want to proclaim God’s goodness and faithfulness steadily, with great joy, regardless of what the world around me looks like—because when it is darkest, that is when my voice is most needed. 

In every sick person, there is Christ who is suffering! In every poor person, there is Christ who is languishing! In every sick person who is poor, Christ is doubly there! 

– from: Padre Pio: A Personal Portrait 

Think about it. If we’re spending a lot of time taking, editing, and posting selfies, isn’t it pretty obvious who is the center of our universe? It’s not God. It’s not even family. It’s me, myself, and I. Given the size of the actual universe, the view from your cell phone or latest post might make you feel popular, attractive, and sexy, but it also leads nowhere, unless you consider Facebook or Instagram a worthwhile destination.