With Franciscan Eyes

An Invitation To Be A Tender Heart

“Heart of Jesus burning with love for us, enflame our Hearts with love for you.”

We pray this every night at Evening Praise, and it struck me the other day how we have been using the words “burning,” “love,” and “enflame” at least 365 times a year for many years in our community. Valentine’s Day will be here soon—a day that speaks so much about LOVE. As FSSH, we could be nicknamed “Franciscan Sisters of LOVE” or “Loving Hearts.” The love of our lives is the Sacred Heart whose heart is truly tender. The quote about having a tender heart speaks of this as the key to feeling the beat of all the other hearts. When you reflect on that, it is awe-inspiring. Love should emit from every fiber of our being to the community, the world, and the cosmos as our Mandatum states. When you think about Jesus’ tender heart on fire with love for us, picture Jesus tenderly holding a lamb in his arms, but replace the lamb with yourself. This is not just love but burning with love. Anything that burns is consumed by the flames. Jesus consumes us with love, and we consume Jesus lovingly in the Eucharist. We are truly blessed as we receive the Eucharist. Our hearts become enflamed with love for God and all of God’s creatures and creation. We invite you all to journey with us, whether as Sister, Associate, volunteer, friend, or neighbor. Together we can be Loving Hearts to a weary world in need of hope.

When Valentine’s Day comes, it is a good time to reflect on God hugging and blessing you with graces to go out tenderly to the community, world, and cosmos. Feel the beat of all other hearts and all that is within them. Hug them with your prayers!

Franciscan Ways of Kindness

In this month centered on love, not only do we have Valentine’s Day but National Random Acts of Kindness Week is just around the corner, too, February 14-20. As followers of St. Francis, we have many examples of random acts of kindness to inspire us to do more works of neighborly love that will transform an ordinary day into one lived in the spirit of Saints Francis and Clare. For instance, you may have heard the story of Francis and the leper. Before his conversion, Francis would have turned and run in the opposite direction as the disease was much feared. Lepers were ostracized and "untouchable." Francis wrote in his Testament, “When I was in sin, the sight of lepers nauseated me beyond measure; but then God himself led me into their company, and I had pity on them. When I became acquainted with them, what had previously nauseated me became the source of spiritual and physical consolation for me.”

God’s love for Francis and, in turn, his love for God transformed him. Francis got off his horse and, in that moment, with God's love pouring into his heart and soul, he kissed the leper in a beautiful act of brotherly love and acceptance and then gave him money. When he got back on his horse to leave, he looked around and saw no one and came to believe it was Jesus whom he had just embraced. It was the beginning of his ministry to a nearby leper colony.

Another time Francis asked those who were able if they would give him their coat. This allowed the donors of the coats to respond in the moment with their own random act of kindness, for we all are called to give of ourselves in various and no less important ways. Francis then gave each coat to the next poor person he met. Francis loved God so much, his kindness overflowed, blessing all he encountered. As Franciscans, doing random acts of kindness should be in our blood streams. Jesus tells us, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8) Like Francis, we can grow into this kind of love as we more eagerly seek God.

Who in your path is kept on the margins of your community--either ignored, excluded, neglected, scorned, feared, or treated rudely and unjustly? In what ways, big or small can you acknowledge their humanity and their identity as children of God? How might your kindness begin a transformation in them and in you? It does not always take a grand gesture. Eye contact and a smile can be an act of kindness in a world where most people's attention is glued to their cell phone. If these children of God are not in your path, is it time that you take a road less traveled and encounter them there? Is this how you might become Jesus' hands and feet? 

Image by Allegany Art

Your Turn!

It is time we share our stories and encourage one another! Have you ever done a random act of kindness, received one, or paid it forward? Have you ever listened to someone who needed to talk on a plane or train or sitting in a doctor’s waiting room (when you would rather sleep or listen to a podcast)--and then were surprised it was you who was blessed by the conversation? Share your story of an unusual random act of kindness that you did or were blessed with or witnessed. We may then share your story to bless others with it. 

To Share your Story

Whose Birthday Is It?

I have to remind myself that Christmas is not my birthday. "Jesus Is the Reason for the Season." Jesus is loving, true, genuine, real, gentle, almighty, infinite, deep, holy, selfless … God. What does He want? You. Your love. Your belief in Him. Spend time with Him. Listen to Him. He will speak. Repent. Weep. Be patient. Be joyful. Ask and believe and you will receive. Decorate with a Christmas tree and a Christmas crib. Dwell on surprises, inspirations from out of the blue.

Gifts for Jesus

1. Give the gift of your thoughts by writing about a recent happening in your life that strengthened, enlivened or brightened your life and share it.
2. Thank the recipients of your Christmas cards for the joy they bring you.
3. Cook/bake/make something as gifts.
4. Have a tree planted in a national park in their name.
5. Donate to a charity that means something in their lives.
6. Give to soup kitchens, homeless shelters, etc. in their name.   
7. Join a grass roots movement to help save our planet.

Remember that it is Jesus’ birthday. The happiness of Christmas is giving!