Franciscan prayer, lived to its full, is to set the human heart on fire. It is to transform one’s body into a body of love and one’s actions into actions of love. In this transformation is the fire that can set the earth ablaze—the fire of light, peace, justice, unity and dignity. It is to see the wounds of suffering humanity and bind them with mercy and compassion. It is to see and feel for all creation—to love by way of self-gift. It is to live in the mystery of Christ, the mystery of God enfleshed. The mystery of being human lies in the mystery of desire, which shapes our lives and can change us. Only prayer can transform us into what we desire, that is, if we truly desire God. Prayer is to make real the Word made flesh—in our lives and in our world. Prayer is the Spirit of the Word that transforms our flesh into the body of Christ. It is an awakening to who we are in Christ and to the fact that we are the path to peace. The Franciscan path of prayer leads one to proclaim by example and deed: Jesus Christ lives!
—from the book Franciscan Prayer
by Ilia Delio, OSF
1 thought on “Live in the Mystery”
Lord Jesus Christ, our hearts are restless until it rests in you. Help us to live in your presence and in the knowledge of your great love for us. May we seek to please you in all that we do, say, and think. Amen.