Interior Attraction to a Matchless Beauty

 “I led them with cords of compassion,

    with the bands of love.”

Hosea 4:11

“Contemplation of the glory of the Lord Jesus in the icon of the Transfiguration reveals to consecrated persons first of all the Father, the Creator and Giver of every good thing, who draws his creatures to himself (cf. Jn 6:44) with a special love and for a special mission. "This is my beloved Son: listen to him!" (cf. Mt 17:5). In response to this call and the interior attraction which accompanies it, those who are called entrust themselves to the love of God who wishes them to be exclusively at his service, and they consecrate themselves totally to him and to his plan of salvation (cf. 1 Cor 7:32-34).”

-          Saint John Paul II Vita Consecrata (§17)

It is not uncommon to find in our hearts suspicion towards things we find attractive, especially when we are trying so sincerely to seek the will of the Lord. This misgiving is understandable and we ought to have a healthy suspicion towards what might be simply a base attraction rooted in the flesh. We need to have a discerning heart in these matters and yet resist being rigid by giving ourselves permission to be drawn by the Lord.

I was impressed by the words of St. John Paul II saying that our response is not only to a call but a call that is accompanied by an interior attraction. Do I find in myself, in the interior man, an attraction to belong exclusively to the Lord? This is an essential question to ask. I think that the dynamic of attraction is quite amazing, especially when we recognize that it is the Lord who is drawing us to himself. Several times in the document Vita Consecrate JPII makes reference to the tremendous beauty of the Lord, in one such instance he calls those who are consecrated to the spiritual path of philokalia (love of divine beauty).The beauty of the Lord is without match, in fact all created beauty is only a reflection of His eternal beauty .

How is this related to a vocation to consecrated life though? This is my own reflection on the matter, but I am speaking from experience. Whenever I find something beautiful I feel attracted to that thing, be it music, art, a building, a landscape, a person…there is a draw, a desire to know more. I think this draw comes from finding consolation in beautiful things, and what this feeling of consolation says to me is that I belong here, I am home here. As the scale of beautiful things goes up the Lord is at the top, and so in finding the Lord beautiful (and in him revealing his beauty) I feel most at home, I can say I belong here.

 I think this is why interior attraction accompanies the call, we recognize the beauty of the Lord (which is attractive) and allow ourselves to be drawn by Him to Himself. After some time spent pursuing the Lord, hopefully, if it is your vocation, what will emerge is the conviction to belong entirely to Him.

“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.” Psalm 27:4

God Bless each of you!

Brother Lazarus

Prophets of Hope

            While winter apocalypses were being predicted the other week I was basking in the sunshine of northern California in the San Francisco bay area. Several friars and sisters went out to support the Walk for Life West Coast rally that happened on January 24^th. Surrounding the “Walk” we were blessed to be able to do a number of other evangelistic events in the area as well, one of which was a visit to UC Berkeley’s campus. We descended on the campus with friars and sisters on the first day of their classes and quickly realized that unlike most other places we’ve been, we were not the weirdest looking people around!

            In the course of the day we had a few strange conversations prefaced with, “Wow, where can I get a gray dress like that?”  One of our encounters, however, was truly anointed. We met a young man, Colin, searching in the true sense for meaning, for the truth, for hope. The conversation went deep quick and we found ourselves sharing about the struggles of life, suffering, despair, depression, faith and the longing of the human heart for something more.

            At a certain point I shared with him how St. Francis had been searching in a similar way and that his prayer he raised to God for years was, “Who are you God? And who am I?” Immediately Colin blurted out with eagerness, “So what did he find?!” His heart thirsted for an answer; it thirsted for an authentic hope in the midst of life’s struggles. This opened the opportunity for me and the brother I was with to share not only how St. Francis had encountered Jesus Christ and the joy and hope that he gives to life, but we also shared how today in our own life we both have experienced the reality of his love. This is the love of a God who does not simply hit the delete button on evil’s presence, but takes it on himself and makes it a source of new life.

            In the end every human heart that finds itself walking in the “valley of tears” wants to know they are not alone…and as religious we are blessed to be that prophetic witness in the world speaking with our lives and words the message of Christ, “Do not be afraid!”… “I am with you always.” It is His presence in the world, in our lives, that gives us an enduring hope no matter where we may find ourselves on the journey of life.  

For the salvation of others

In response to one of our posts on Facebook, one of the poor who has been coming to us for years expressed his gratitude for the presence of the brothers in downtown Bradford.  Here follows an excerpt:

""The brothers", two words, two words alone, those two words, for over two year, represented, hot food, on a Tuesday, "the brothers" was synonymous with a Tuesday. My feet, set off there , every Tuesday, without fail, Tuesday, wasn't Tuesday, without, seeing the brothers, a warm welcome, a hot drink, and lo and behold, being immersed with the love there.  The brothers, bro Felice, father Thomas, father Conrad, father Leo, there are many more, they never fail, consistent and true. Never stop the awesome work you do, You may not always realise just what you mean to so many, it's like you don't twig, until it's not there anymore. You have given me the strength to reach into new pastures, so a flipping big well done is in order. Flipping big well done. out of all the projects, you and Emmanuel, reach deeper for people, well done."

Our life in service to the poor is regular fare for us, like bread and butter.  Hard to imagine one without the other or a week without it.  There are times when it is a struggle to let go of your plans and make your way down to the kitchen to be with those that come.  But when you hear what kind of an impact it can have on others' lives it makes your objections so petty.

Brothers, as you continue to discern, never underestimate the significance your lives have on others.  Many times our discernment is focussed on our relationship with the Lord alone, listening in prayer for indications of his plan for us, and seeking the grace to say "yes".  Know, however, that your vocation is not for your salvation alone...it also includes the salvation of others.  Jesus not only has you in mind when he calls you, but also the many people he is sending you to be his hands, his feet, his heart, his voice.

One of our founders, Fr. Glenn, was preaching recently in Scotland.  He told the story of driving in a snow storm once.  He strained to follow the lights of the car in front of him.  As the snow continued he pulled over to rest a moment when he noticed something behind him.  Stopped behind him now was a row of cars waiting for him to continue.  Unbeknownst to him, many were relying on him to continue ahead.  He thought he was  looking for his own way down the road.  Take the chance brothers.  Set out to follow the Lord's light down the road, and know that your willingness to follow the Lord, will enable many others to follow along the same path to Him.

May this light that has come make you more aware of the drama of salvation that a vocation invites you into...a drama that is no solo show.

Happy Christmas brothers...you are in my prayers daily.
Fr. Gabriel Joseph,CFR

Vocation Director, Europe.

All we have to decide is...

I am re-reading with delight The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.  In the early part of the first book, The Fellowship of the Ring, Frodo, a humble and happy hobbit, is lamenting the darkness of the time that he lives in, wishing that it were not so.  Gandalf, the wise wizard, offers a gentle correction stating that it is not for us to decide which time we live in, adding, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”  With these simple, strong words Gandalf encourages Frodo as he faces the lonely possibility of embracing the mission before him.  He encourages Frodo to accept reality as it is, not as he wished it could be and so choose freely how to respond to the circumstances in which he finds himself.

There is so much depth in this short sentence for anyone and yet especially for one discerning God’s call in his/her life.   This 2^nd Sunday of Advent the Church proposes the person of John the Baptist as one who clearly knew how to live the time that was given to him.  John’s whole identity was in pointing to the coming of Jesus.  His singular witness remains an icon of religious life.  For us in the 21^st century it is a rather bizarre image of one who wore camel hair and ate locusts and wild honey!  (Maybe he was from California or an archetypal founder of the CFR’s ?!)  And yet mysteriously the Gospel tells us, “All the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him.”  His prophetic witness was attractive because it was clear and authentic in a world that was afraid and confused.  He knew what he was about.  Jesus. He was a friend of the Bridegroom, listening for the Bridegroom’s voice so that he could announce joyfully to the world the coming of Christ-the desire of all nations (Jn 3:29).

Pope Francis put it simply. The role of religious is to “wake up the world.” And how our world desperately needs waking up from its spiritual lethargy.  God is calling each of us to respond for our time.  We cannot change the times we live in. Each of us can only respond as we feel led by Him. Even if like Frodo, we feel inadequate and small, each of us has a mission.  “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”  Advent is a time of grace given that we may do this.  Let us not waste time but act manfully.  May the intercession and example of St John the Baptist stir our hearts to respond wholeheartedly to the call of Christ and the needs of our time.   

    

Fr Emmanuel Mary CFR

Vocation Director

The ‘Ripple Effect’ of Fr. Benedict Groeschel’s ‘Yes’ to God

“If it hadn’t been for Fr. Benedict, I don’t know where I’d be.”  These words, spoken by a young man who had lived at the St Francis House for boys founded by Fr. Benedict in the 60’s, have been echoed by the sentiments of countless others during these days of prayer and rememberance.  As Fr. Andrew preached at yesterday’s funeral, “No Fr. Benedict, no CFR’s!” and so without Fr. Benedict, I don’t know where I would be! 

We CFR’s have been powerfully reminded (and perhaps educated) this week that Fr. Benedict’s untiring and faithful “yes” to God for over 60 years has been a source of tremendous grace for thousands, if not millions of people; bishop’s; priests; families in poverty; religious sisters; boys from Children’s Village; viewers of EWTN; readers of his 43 books; homeless men; women in crisis pregnancy and who knows how many more…?  And who knows what the ripple effect of God’s grace has been through the lives of those touched by Fr. Benedict?  Only God.  And that’s how Fr. Benedict would like it. 

So often the news is disturbing and frightening.  War, terrorism, disease, moral confusion.  There is a great deal of fear in our culture.  People feel helpless and hopeless in the face of everything and so do nothing.  But that wasn’t Fr. Benedict’s style!  He was a man of faith and hope, impelled by the love of Christ and so he had to do something.  And he did a lot!

But what is our response?  What is my response?  It must be the same response uttered by Fr. Benedict when he was 17 years old, as he left home to follow Jesus and join the Capuchins.  It must be the same response that then led him (some 30 years later) as he left the Capuchins (his home) to follow Jesus and begin the CFR’s.  The same response he uttered, not without struggle and suffering, for over 60 years. We can almost hear him say it in his unmistakable quiet voice, “Yes Lord.” 

Just the other day I read this quote from St. John Paul II and thought of Fr. Benedict:

“The first duty of the consecrated life is to make visible the marvels wrought by God in the frail humanity of those who are called.  They bear witness to these marvels not so much in works as by the eloquent language of a transfigured life, capable of amazing the world”  (Vita Consecrata). 

Fr. Benedict wasn’t perfect and nor are any of us.  I’m not called to be Fr. Benedict and nor are you but his powerful “yes” challenges each of us, in our frail humanity, to offer our lives to God wherever we are, with the same passion and generosity.  Fr. Benedict’s life made visible the marvels of God and you know what?  So can we!!  And that’s what amazes the world - the ripple effect of grace!

+ Fr. Emmanuel Mary Mansford, CFR
Harlem, NY
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From Fr. Gabriel Joseph Kyte in England

Brothers,

                Hope this e-letter finds you all well.  This year in the European region we’re introducing Come and See weekends.  If you’re from North America and have visited St. Joseph’s Friary in New York, this style of visit will be familiar to you.  In the European region however, we’ve had a number of visitors over the years to our friary in London, but many of the guys don’t get a chance to meet the others who are discerning with us.  Brothers in Europe, you are not discerning alone!  There are many other young men who are asking the same questions as you, and wrestling with the same fears and aspirations in discovering God’s will with joy and trust!  The Wednesday to Sunday stay will hopefully allow for a more focused stay as you take another good step in the process of discernment.

                A Come and See “weekend” will be offered in each of our friaries in England and Ireland. 

The first one will be in Bradford at St. Pio Friary November 12^th-16^th, 2014.

The second will be in Limerick at St. Patrick’s Friary, February 4^th-8^th, 2015.

The others are planned for May and July in Derry, N. Ireland and in Limerick respectively.

                Please call me at St. Pio Friary in Bradford, England if you’d like to come on any of our Come and See Weekends (0044-1274-721-989).  I pray that they will be a helpful part of the journey for you in following in Jesus’ footsteps.

You are in our prayers,

Fr. Gabriel Joseph

Vocation Director, Europe.

                With Fr. Benedict’s passing, I wanted to recommend to all of you a great book that Fr. Benedict wrote while accompanying a young man discerning and pursuing God’s call.

                Father Benedict Groeschel had a great love for vocations.  He helped many to discover and/or persevere in the will of God for them.  One of them was a priest named Fr. Eugene Hamilton who became a priest in the final moments of his life.  Fr. Benedict’s book, A Priest Forever (Our Sunday Visitor Press), tells Fr. Eugene’s story.  If you can track it down, it is well worth the read…even if the diocesan priesthood is not your call. 

(find it here)

With special permission from St. John Paul II, Eugene was ordained to the priesthood in the final hours of a long battle with terminal cancer.  Fr. Eugene was young.  Fr. Eugene wanted to do God’s will.   With all of his heart (toto corde) St. John Paul II gave his permission that Eugene be ordained a priest, even if only lived out in this life for a very short period.  St. John Paul II knew that to do God’s will, even if only lived out briefly in this life was worth more than a thousand lives lived doing one’s own thing.  At 4 o’clock in the afternoon, Eugene Hamilton was ordained a priest 3 hours before he passed from this life into the next, a priest forever. 

                Be assured of our prayers brothers and of our support as you discern God’s will.

St. Francis, pray for us.  St. John Paul II, pray for us.         

Human Formation #4

In our last reflection (Human Formation #3 posted on Nov. 20, 2013), we spoke of affirmation, the response to our fundamental human need to have our goodness revealed to us by another.  Receiving authentic affirmation leads to emotional maturity and even opens us up to the love of God, leading to an experiential, felt faith.  Yet, the hard truth is that none of us have been loved or affirmed adequately.  This is obviously true for those from unhealthy families where, instead of affirmation, love deprivation and emotional denial characterize the family culture.  But it is true even for those from the healthiest of families since imperfect people are incapable of perfect love.  I mention this because sometimes love deprivation and emotional denial are subtle in their expressions.  A surprising example of affirmation-in-action will help to illustrate this point.  Dr. Baars writes:

Long ago a friend told me of a childhood incident that had left a lasting impression on him.  He was five or six years old when on a weekday morning the pastor came to visit his mother. His father was outside working on the farm. The older children were in school.  Being shy, my friend John hid under the table, but not entirely out of sight, while the pastor and his mother visited.  Neither one paid attention to him.  When the pastor had left and John had come out from under the table his mother stroked his hair and with a friendly smile said, "Were you shy, Johnny"?  Johnny had never forgotten this incident and the wonderful feeling that it was all right for him to be shy, that he did not have to force himself to be a big boy and to hide his shyness from the visitor. Johnny had been affirmed both by his mother and her understanding visitor. They had affirmed Johnny by allowing him to grow and become who and what he was supposed to be in his own time, in his own way, and at his own pace.  I remember asking John whether he recalled the effect of this particular visit. "Indeed," he replied, "I remember that it gave me a sense of confidence in myself, a feeling that I was O.K. And I'm almost positive that the visit cured, or at least greatly diminished my shyness."  This may sound like a rather unexpected outcome to those of us who find it easier to imagine another version of this visit by the pastor, like: "Johnny, come out from under the table and shake hands with the pastor. Show him what a big boy you are. Come on, Johnny, don't be a baby." But it is precisely the Johnny in this second version who is not being affirmed and whose emotional development will become adversely affected (Dr. Conrad Baars, M.D., Born Only Once).

While love deprivation and emotional denial may be subtle in their expressions, especially in healthier families, their long-term effects are obvious and painful.  These effects include (to greater and lesser degrees):  1) An inability to relate to others, to form intimate friendships; 2) Feelings of uncertainty and insecurity which often manifest themselves in hypersensitivity and an unhealthy need for acceptance and approval; 3) Feelings of inferiority, inadequacy and unworthiness; and 4) Increasing feelings of depression resulting from a fearful and lonely lifestyle.  Do any of these symptoms look or feel familiar?  This may be a tough reality to face, but it needs to be faced for the sake our own happiness (see John 10:10) as well as for the sake of our discernment.  Discernment requires both the freedom and the self-confidence needed to say Yes!.  Still, we do not need to be afraid of our weaknesses, God has sent His son Jesus to heal us and set us free so that we can say Yes to Him and His plan with confidence and freedom—this is the message of Advent!  With this advent hope in mind and heart, we will discuss in coming reflections how we dispose ourselves to receive the affirmation of God and others and how to become authentic affirmers ourselves.



May God bless you this Christmas!


Fr. Isaac Spinharney, CFR
St. Joseph Friary
Harlem, NY