Monthly Spiritual Message, December 2004
By Fr Tony Fox OFM Conv.
“Shine like stars in the world.” (Philippians 2:15)
In this time of Christmas and Advent we see lots of associations with stars. The Christmas tree Star; the Star of Bethlehem.
A Star evokes many meanings from the celestial realm to the world of Hollywood and the Rich and Famous.
From a celestial point of view without the stars, the night sky would be utter darkness. Who among us would not want to be connected or compared with one of these mysterious, attractive points of light?
But as Francis and Clare and the many Franciscans who have gone before, we too can offer the Gospel of Hope to a needy world.
We are the Stars of Hope to a waiting world. How can we really shine with God’s light? Our Baptism was the first light to shine in us and our Franciscan Profession is the second, and the potential of who we can become before all men and women is the third.
The star that shines in each of us is the Holy Spirit given as a gift to each of us through the Sacraments and shared as a gift to all whom we encounter each day.
The Star shines if we co-operate with the Holy Spirit as he applies the power of Jesus’ Birth, Death and Resurrection to every part of our lives.
Christmas is a stressful time for all of us but we have to let our Star shine bright through our Franciscan Calling.
We need especially at this time of the year to listen to the voice of the Spirit and obey it every single day.
For instance when there is gossip flying about the family, neighborhood, the parish or in our fraternity do we hear the Holy Spirit say “keep clear” and choose to hold our tongues.
Our call is to keep turning our hearts to the Lord.
Francis in times of stress tuned to the Lord wholeheartedly.
Let the Star shine!
A story is told of a Secular Franciscan Fraternity that had grown lax in practices of the Rule and Life of the Order. People were no longer hearing from them and the enthusiasm they found from their life as followers of St. Francis. The members quarreled among themselves and treated each other without respect. Deeply concerned the local minister journeyed to see a wise Spiritual Assistant who lived in a friary near by. After hearing the problem the wise Friar-Assistant said: “If I told you the solution, you would not believe me.” “I will” said the Minister. The Friar- Assistant said: “The Messiah is one of you!”
“One of us?” said the Minister in disbelief. “I told you that you would not believe me.”
The Local Minister headed for the Monthly Fraternity Meeting reviewing the Wise Friar-Assistants words. Was it possible? Who could it be? Was it Mary the formator so gentle and good with people but she had a difficulty with some of the professed members. And Michael, so kind to visitors and observers, but he could be extremely selfish. The Minister thought of each professed member in the Fraternity and was stumped.
When he arrived at the meeting, he told all the members what the Wise Spiritual Assistant had told him. They all looked carefully at one another, wondering. They began to treat each other with reverence just in case. In the months that followed, people began to see a difference in this Secular Franciscan Fraternity and began to enquire into this now attractive way of life. Prayer among them became more vibrant; meetings were much more stimulating and exciting. Soon the Fraternity was flourishing again with members.
The Star that needs to shine in all our lives as we welcome with enthusiasm and joy the Incarnate Son of God is respect. If we respect each person daily by encountering each person as you would the Messiah then we can be the true and authentic light of Christ as shown to us by our shining stars of Francis and Clare.
Francis was enamored with the fact that the Incarnation means that Christ took on our flesh, not just in the person of Jesus in the womb of the Virgin Mary, but also in each of us as persons.
We need to recognise as St. Francis did that every one of our efforts at obedience, prayer, repentance and generosity is empowered and encouraged by the Holy Spirit. He is truly our Star who is working in us and through and even despite of us as he did with Francis and Clare. We need to keep giving ourselves to God.
In this whole process our hearts will become lighter and lighter, brighter and brighter.
Let his brothers and sisters acclaim with joy and enthusiasm this Christmas the words of that beautiful carol We Three Kings:
Star of Wonder! Star of Night!
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to the perfect light.
Indeed our Franciscan Vocation is to sow light among the darkness. We need to stay as keepers of the Light. Let our light shine in the darkness. Let us not allow this Christmas of 2004 be just one day in the calendar year but rather let our light shine among others to guide them to the Perfect Light who is Jesus the Christ all year round.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL AND SAFE AND JOY FILLED NEW YEAR!
Fr. Tony Fox O.F.M.Conv.
