Growing up, one of my favorite sayings of my Dad as we gathered around the supper table, or at a family gathering was, “it’s nice being together and being able to break a little bread.”  You may or may not be aware that this reflects what the word “companion” actual means: “one with whom I share bread.” One of my favorite descriptions of our Franciscan ministry relates to this. It comes from Friar Michael Blastic, OMF Conv., who once described Franciscan ministry as conversation.

These two ideas – breaking bread and being in conversation – come to mind for me when I think about the ministry of the Companions. Any time we gather as companions around the table, one thing we hope for as we break bread together is conversation. Conversation about our lives, our cares and our concerns. Conversation about God.

I hope we can see ourselves as companions with all saints and all souls we miss. Just consider the countless conversations that this represents! We can be reminded of the communion that we and others share by nature of our baptism in Jesus Christ.  What ultimately unites us is a person, Jesus Christ, who calls us into relationship with Him and into these relationships of breaking of the bread and praying for one another both the living and the dead. In Christ these relationships and conversations are truly eternal. 

Reflection and prayer upon these themes will help us to keep the big picture in mind when we may be tempted to “sweat the small stuff.” I trust that keeping this in mind and heart will be nourishing to us and strengthening for our relationships. Let’s move through this month with these central truths of our faith in mind. By doing so, I trust this will find us gathering and breaking bread with loved ones and entering with them into lifegiving conversations. 

St. Anthony, pray for us.

Peace,