Franciscan Sisters of Allegany and Associates

Watch now: LIVE presentation by the Franciscan Action Network (FAN) Pope Francis' Fratelli Tutti.

Can the church change? With new learning, new perspectives and greater awareness can we become more open, flexible and inclusive of others? These are the questions that come to mind in reflecting on the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles. The question of circumcision because of the ancient Mosaic practice became such a deep issue within the early Christian communities. One can almost hear the cry, ‘but we’ve always done it this way!’ Yet in raising the question, in ...listening and in the process of dialogue, things began to change and the community of believers became more accepting and inclusive. What about today? The recent church statements with regard to LGBTQ persons have been exclusive, hurtful and discouraging for them, their families and friends. Are not all persons created in the image and likeness of God? Are not all of us children of God and heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven? In March 2021, some Catholic organizations, leaders and bishops released a letter with the Human Rights Campaign which stated, "The defense of human dignity is one of the highest callings of our baptismwe are empowered by the Holy Spirit to do all that is necessary to end discrimination and violence. This is a call to not only condemn the violence and discrimination against transgender people, it is a much deeper call to recognize and affirm their dignity. The letter goes on to state, "To our transgender siblings, may you always know that the Image of God resides in you, and that God loves you." Can the church change?

Jesus said to his disciples: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. We see in the reading from the Acts of the Apostles that life was not exactly peaceful for those in the growing and developing communities of Christians. It is unfortunate that even today there is unrest and persecution of not only Christians but of people of other faith traditions. True, deep and systemic pe...ace which Jesus offers is not simply the absence of conflict. Peace is also not simply tolerance. Peace built on the suffering of others or a peace at all costs is not realist. Sooner or later what appears to be a tranquil and peaceful existence will begin to dissolve and disappear because of the long buried, suppressed and painful memories of injustice, hatred and violence. Let us take to heart the words of the late Dr. Martin Luther King. As you press on for justice, be sure to move with dignity and discipline, using only the weapon of love. Let no man pull you so low as to hate him. Always avoid violence. If you succumb to the temptation of using violence in your struggle, unborn generations will be the recipients of a long and desolate night of bitterness, and your chief legacy to the future will be an endless reign of meaningless chaos. Let us work and proclaim the peace of Christ for love and restorative justice for all.

Today we celebrate the feast of the apostles Philip and James. The post resurrection experiences and the appearances of the resurrected Christ must have had a profound effect on the disciples and on those who came to believe. It’s important to grasp that Jesus’ appearances were not simply to his chosen apostles or limited to a few select people. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he wrote of these events and made it known that Jesus appeared to more than five hundred brothe...rs and sisters at once. Let us celebrate and give thanks for the faith and witness of Philip, James and all who keep the gospel alive and vibrant in its message and in its witness for today. We are all called to be apostles, bearers of the Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ, in and for our world. Jesus promised, Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these. May our lives, our works and our faith give witness and glory to God.

On this Fifth Sunday of Easter let us embrace the words of Jesus proclaimed in the gospel. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Christ is the true vine. We are called to be focused and vigilant in our following the ways of Christ as we live our faith today. We as faith-filled people, we as church and as the People of God are the branches. Each one of us is called to live and enga...ge with one another in living, serving and ministering so that we bear much fruit. Our faith and our participation must be alive and dynamic. We are not simply believers or followers, we are the presence, the servants and workers making the Kingdom vibrant in and for our world today. May our faith and our lives bring refreshment, nourishment and new life to our world.

Franciscan Center, Tampa is live now feeling blessed! Tampa, FL You’re watching our live stream of the 1pm Labyrinth Walk for World Peace. Join us at 1pm as we say the Peace Prayer with Fr. Stephen from Sacred Heart Parish.

What do we need to believe? Is the Gospel too much or too little? Are we like the children in the marketplace in today’s gospel nothing is enough? Jesus very c...learly tells us what we need to do to live in God’s love. We can get bound up in rules and even in opposing interpretations of Church laws. All that is necessary is to follow the law of love that Jesus not only taught but lived love God and love one’s neighbor. It is challenging in its simplicity. It is enough! See more

Today we hear again one of the beautiful Advent readings from Isaiah the prophet. We are told that God grasps us by the hand and tells us to not be afraid tha...t God will help us. The afflicted will be freed and their needs satisfied. The earth will be rejuvenated and full of life. God will not forsake us! In the troubled times in which we live, we need to be reminded again and again of God’s promises. We have no reason to fear - the glory of the Lord will be over all the earth! Believe it rejoice in it - live it!

St. Juan Diego, whom the Church honors today, was a humble peasant to whom the Virgin Mary appeared on Tepeyac Hill in Mexico. She asked him to go to the Bishop... and request that a shrine be built there to show her love for the poor, indigenous people so that they could have a place to worship. A humble man, Juan was reluctant to approach the bishop who in turn did not pay any heed to his request. It was only after Mary had him pick roses in December and take them to the bishop that he was taken seriously. Opening his cloak to present the roses, his tilma carried the image of the Virgin which is still venerated in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. The reading from Isaiah tells us that those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength and soar as with eagle’s wings. They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint. Juan Diego was a man of faith whose humble strength enabled him to be a messenger of God’s love through the Virgin Mary. He was not a person one would expect to be called upon for such an important mission. We too, whoever we are, are invited to be messengers of God’s surprising love.