Reflection for Aug. 3, 2025

Renae:

Very Short reflection, Very Meaningful , very inspiring and most of all very meaningful.

Thanks for your reflection, Renae. Good reminder and connection to Francis' prayer. "It is in giving that we receive."

Thanks, Renae, for asking the questions. Personal conversion, such as in the example of St. Francis, who gave up the material riches he was to inherit from his wealthy father once he experienced the Beauty and Wisdom of God in a most profound way, is a necessity in every age, time, and place.

I have come to realize how much the conversion (reform) of institutions and the mindset that breeds oppression, injustice, violence, and disregard for others is needed today, as well.

Francis most likely did not realize in his initial conversion that he was called to reform the Church of his times. But, indeed, that is what happened as he came to understood his one-and-only purpose was to remain faithful to God. Indeed, he stripped himself of his clothing in the town square before the people, his father, and the bishop, saying from that time on he had but One Father, his Father in heaven.

How hungry and in need we are for this kind of conversion today!

For that reason I offer a few excellent resources that will surely inspire and challenge you, as they have me.

1) "Here We Stand" is a document developed "by the People" of the Episcopal Diocese of WI, with the Benedictine spirituality of Holy Wisdom Monastery, Madison, WI.

https://www.diowis.org/news/here-we-stand

https://letmylifeteachnow.wordpress.com/2025/03/15/on-this-we-stand/

2) The National Council of Catholic Bishops issued their statement on Catholic Social Teaching in regards to immigrants and the sufferings of many peoples that will result from the 2025 budget bill.

https://justiceforimmigrants.org/

3) U.S. Senator, Baptist Pastor Raphael G. Warnock from Georgia, speaks and lives the Gospel of JESUS, who showed us how to "proclaim good news to the poor, liberty to captives and the oppressed, recovery of sight to the blind." Pastor Warnock lives and speaks JESUS' message of hope and freedom to the suffering, marginalized and most vulnerable.

https://www.warnock.senate.gov/about/

I hope you gain as much hope as I have in learning about and from these living examples of JESUS' message for Our Times.

I make a daily choice to live in either the little world of “Reed” or the vast and beautiful world of God. I would rather be a channel than a chump.