A Letter from Friar Gary Johnson, OFM Conv.

Dear Companion of St. Anthony,

The Solemnities of the Holy Trinity (6/15), The Body and Blood of Christ (6/22), the Sacred Heart of Jesus (6/27) and Saints Peter and Paul (6/29) all happen in rather rapid succession at the conclusion of the Easter Season.  I suggest to you that they can be seen as a bridge between Easter and of Ordinary Time. We are truly blessed that our Church offers us these opportunities to be more deeply rooted in what the risen life of Jesus means, and the consequences of Jesus’s choice to enter our lives in this way.  Our advocate, the Holy Spirit, will, according to Jesus, help us see what impact these truths can have on us as we live out our Christian lives. God with us, isn’t simply Jesus’ name during the Christmas Season, but the reason we can dare to live boldly the Good News every day.

It’s worth remembering too that “Church’ also names us; disciples of Jesus filled with His Holy Spirit and commissioned to live the Eucharist we share in lives and ministries of self-gift. Our focus is always on lifting those who may have fallen. This can be lived out at Church and in homes and in our workplace. The way we treat others, the way to talk to them and about them must all flow from our need to share the abundance of the gifts that we receive from our Lord.

One Franciscan saint that can guide us in the month of July to deepen our awareness of God’s presence, is St. Bonaventure (7/15). He says in his work, The Soul’s Journey into God:

“Therefore open your eyes, alert your spiritual ears, unlock your lips, and apply your heart so that in all creation you may see, hear, praise, love and adore, magnify and honor your God …”

I believe that St. Anthony encourages us in these efforts like this as well.  With his help may we live and share his good news with everyone we encounter.

St. Anthony and St. Bonaventure, Pray for us.

Peace,

Friar Gary W. Johnson