Pope Francis’ 2014 Letter to New Cardinals

Thanks to our dear friend Bob Campbell for sending us the translation of Pope Francis’ letter to newly appointed Cardinals. One of the great things about having a close friend/family member who is a Deacon is that they constantly share Jesus’ message of love, humility, and compassion. Speaking of love, humility, and compassion, these virtues are prevalent in Pope Francis’ letter to the new Cardinals who were designated yesterday.

Pope Francis practicing humility.

Here below is the translation of the Pope’s letter. The bolded portion of the letter represents the message that resonated with me the most. This message is consistent with Pope Francis’ teachings since his installation as Pope.

It’s also consistent with his actions. Whereas popes of the past have been known to view themselves almost as kings, Pope Francis has done the opposite. Pope Francis rides the subway to the Vatican like the common man and participates in practices of humility like the one captured in the above photograph.

Enjoy this letter and leave a comment below 🙂

* * *

“Dear Brother,

On the day in which your designation is made public to be part of the College of Cardinals, I wish to express to you a cordial greeting together with the assurance of my closeness and my prayer. I hope that, as associate of the Church of Rome, clothed in the virtues and sentiments of the Lord Jesus (cf. Romans 13:14), you will be able to help me, with fraternal effectiveness, in my service to the universal Church.

The Cardinalate does not signify a promotion, or an honour, or a decoration. It is simply a service that calls for enlarging one’s vision and widening one’s heart. And, although it seems a paradox, this ability to look far ahead and to love more universally with greater intensity can only be acquired by following the same way of the Lord: the way of abasement and humility, taking the form of a servant (cf. Philippians 2;5-8). Therefore, I ask you, please, to receive this designation with a simple and humble heart.

And, although you must do so with joy and gladness, do it in such a way that this sentiment is far from any expression of worldliness, from any celebration that is foreign to the evangelical spirit of austerity, sobriety and poverty.

Farewell, then, until next February 20, in which we will begin two days of reflection on the family. I remain at your disposition and, please, I ask you to pray and to have others pray for me.”

May Jesus bless you and the Holy Virgin protect you.
Fraternally,
FRANCIS.”

* * *

What are your thoughts on Pope Francis’ letter?

We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly sitting and talking.

Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, ‘Hi.’ He pounded his fat baby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with merriment.

I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map.

We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled.. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists. ‘Hi there, baby; hi there, big boy.. I see ya, buster,’ the man said to Erik.

My husband and I exchanged looks, ‘What do we do?’

Erik continued to laugh and answer, ‘Hi.’

Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man.

The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, ‘Do ya patty cake?

Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek- a-boo.’

Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk.

My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid-row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments.

We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door. ‘Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik,’ I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby’s ‘pick-me-up’ position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man.

Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love and kinship. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man’s ragged shoulder. The man’s eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labor, cradled my baby’s bottom and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time.

I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, ‘You take care of this baby.’

Somehow I managed, ‘I will,’ from a throat that contained a stone. He pried Erik from his chest, lovingly and longingly, as though he were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, ‘God bless you, ma’am, you’ve given me my Christmas gift.’ I said nothing more than a muttered thanks. With Erik in my arms,
I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, ‘My God, my God, forgive me.’

I had just witnessed Christ’s love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I felt it was God asking, ‘Are you willing to share your son for a moment?’ when He shared His for all eternity.
How did God feel when he put his baby in our arms 2000 years ago. 

The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me, ‘To enter the Kingdom of God , we must become as little children.’

If this has blessed you, you may bless others by sending it on.

Sometimes, it takes a child to remind us of what is really important. We must always remember who we are, where we came from and, most importantly, how we feel about others. The clothes on your back or the car that you drive or the house that you live in does not define you at all; it is how you treat your fellow man that identifies who you are.

Final Scene of It’s a Wonderful Life and Why it Matters at Christmas

If you’ve ever seen this film, there’s no doubt that this final scene is moving. If you’ve never seen this film, I encourage you to do so.

Why I Disliked It’s a Wonderful Life in My Youth

Growing up, my family watched It’s a Wonderful Life every year at Christmas time. I remember dreading having to watch the movie mostly because I could not understand it in my youth. For a ten year old kid, the movie was unappealing because it was:

• In black and white
• The characters sounded funny (1930’s American English)
• It was “boring”

What It’s a Wonderful Life Means to Me

Over the years, I’ve grown to love It’s a Wonderful Life. Today, it is my favorite movie and I’ll even go as far as saying that it has literally changed my life.

I enjoy the film more and more each time I watch it. After watching it last night, I felt compelled to share my experience on Lucid Practice.

What is It’s a Wonderful Life About?

As a boy, the protagonist, George Bailey had always wanted to travel the world, build buildings, and shape the direction of the rising USA. However, after high school he ended up staying in the, “crummy old town” he grew up in because of circumstances outside of his control.

Midway through the movie, mistakes and hardships have compounded and George is in a bad place. He contemplates suicide at which point he asks God for a sign.

God grants George the magical gift of seeing the world as if he had never been born. One of the film’s many strengths is in its ability to depict the horror of the condition of George’s hometown, his family, and his friends without his presence in their life.

After the powerful scenes that ensue, George’s guardian angel says, “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives, and when he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole to fill, doesn’t he? … You see, George, you really had a wonderful life. Don’t you see what a mistake it would be to throw it away?”

What We Can Learn from It’s a Wonderful Life

The poignant message of It’s a Wonderful Life is this: Be a good person and make a positive impact (even if your efforts seem to go unnoticed) on the world. This is the way Brian and I intend to live and that’s the reason Lucid Practice was Founded.

The scene above is the climax of the film when George realizes that the adversities in his life are minuscule when compared to the gift of life itself. The struggles and suffering that each of us have and go through can be looked at in the same light.

This is one of the ways I have looked at life and it’s been an incredible instrument, arming me with positive energy in the face of adversity and negativity.

The scene above and this outlook on life can be directly related to this eloquent quote:

“There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.” ~Albert Einstein

What if we all looked at life this way? And not just throughout the Christmas season, but all the time….

Here are six traits that are emphasized throughout It’s a Wonderful Life:

• love
• family
• community
• friendship
• honesty
• faith

It’s a Wonderful Life and Christmas

The above traits are also qualities of Jesus. To me, the definition of Christianity and Catholicism is simply, “being Christlike.”

So this holiday season and beyond, be Christlike (even if you’re not technically Christian). Remember how sacred the gift of life is and do your best to make a positive dent on the universe.

Merry Christmas to all of the Lucid Practice Community!

Love, Paz

On St. Joseph and the Mystery of Faith

Joseph shows us a great role model in terms of the mystery of faith.  That he stood by Mary, reared a son he did not father, risked his life by caring for the Christ Child, left his home and took what was likely a perilous journey to Egypt and then back to Israel all due to what was likely based on tremendous faith is rather courageous.

We don’t know through what medium God spoke to Joseph, but needless to say, it must have been compelling.  The story of Joseph is a story of great faith, of personal sacrifice for greater good and of commitment to purpose.

Jesus’ Crucifixion and The Mystery of Faith

As for Jesus’ crucifixion, we cannot take that part alone to lead us to place of accepting him as the messiah. It is the Passion, Jesus’ life as witnessed by the Evangelists, Mathew, Mark, Luke & John, the prophecies in the Old Testament, the experiences of people who were and are devoutly committed to prayer but most importantly, living out the mystery of faith personally. This is not a rational or logical process which, unfortunately, makes the faith endeavor DOA for many.

The Egocentric Mind and The Mystery of Faith

Another point to ponder, the rational, egocentric mind has a hard time separating itself from any experience that does not affect it directly or from that which it does not directly identify with.  This is why faith is said to be not an act of the mind but rather an act of the heart.  In addition, it is a process that requires us to go places we have never been within ourselves which requires risk and uncertainty and trust.  Most people will shy away from an endeavor that requires this of them.

The Paschal Mystery

It is called the “Paschal Mystery” because that’s what it is, a mystery.  During the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the celebrant always chants “Let us proclaim the mystery of faith” which reminds us that we are engaged in a process of uncertainty.   Uncertainty and ambiguity are very hard for us to accept and to deal with in our daily lives, thus having a partner, friend and mentor with us at all times can we relieve ourselves from the pressure of uncertainty, guide us in our mission and compel us to live with passion & purpose.

Identifying with The Passion of Christ

It does my heart good when I hear people with at least some Christian formation tell me that they don’t identify with the Passion of Christ. This tells they have likely, but by no means certainly, never dealt with seriously trying events in their life.  Christianity is comprised of as many different episodes as there are in any one individual’s journey through life.  Different parts appeal to us at different times, and the same parts we may see differently at different times in our life.

If we tell ourselves that we won’t get on the bus unless we get to drive and until we know for sure what the destination is, we are resigned to live a life without faith.  Martin Luther King said it well when he said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” To that I say “‘Amen.'”

This post is an excerpt from a conversation with our dear friend Patrick Milazzo 

The football coach, Paul “Bear” Bryant read this poem at the beginning of every day:

“This is the beginning of a new day.
God has given me this day to use as I will.
I can waste it or use it for good.
What I do today is important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.
When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever.
Leaving something in it’s place I have traded for it.
I want it to be a gain, not loss; good not evil
Success, not failure, in order that I shall not forget the price I paid for it. “

Via Bob Campbell and Mustard Seeds

In February of 1995 I visited Honduras which is located in the Caribbean Sea. Leaving the group I walked through the streets of poverty and disease wondering what life would be like if I were to live there. After purchasing something in a store I stood holding my change and having a fragmented conversation with one of the locals who only spoke a little English. After 5 minutes or more the woman behind the counter signalled to me to give back the change from my purchase which I was still holding in my hand. I hesitated for a few moments because I already thought she had not given me enough of the foriegn currency. Finally, I handed her the change and after shuffling around in her money box she handed me back some money–more money than she originally handed me. I believe our experience of surrendering to God has some similarities. We are scared to abandon what we have and give everything to God in case we end up with less than what we started with. Fools we are! God always gives more than what He asks from us.

Peace Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord make me an instrument of your peace
Where there is hatred,
Let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is error, truth;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, Joy.

O Divine Master grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled
As to console;
To be understood,as to understand;
To be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Analysis of Peace Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi via Bob Campbell:

For over one hundred years, people have turned to the Peace Prayer, attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi, for inspiration and guidance. Perhaps we are attracted by its utter simplicity. Perhaps we pray it because consciously or subconsciously, we are only too aware that its words carry the entire weight of the teachings of Jesus.

The two sections of the prayer both begin with powerful words, “Lord … Divine Master.” We are instantly made aware that baptism has made each one of us a “little Christ.” Consequently, we too are servants who are called to empty ourselves, surrender and serve God, God’s will, and whomever God sends into our lives.

The first section of the Peace Prayer is dedicated to peace, the Easter gift of the Risen Christ. We pray to be instruments of this peace. However, Easter peace goes far beyond clenched fists, angry words and the absence of war. I its fullness can only blossom when we have confronted the very roots of conflict and dissension: hatred, injury, doubt, despair, darkness and sadness-all experiences which suggest a life centered upon “me.” And so, following in the footprints of the Lord and Divine Master, we pray to sow the six seeds of Easter peace: love, pardon, faith, hope, light and joy

The second half of the Peace Prayer reminds “little Christs” that the ego needs to be overcome. “Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.” Easter peace is a product of priorities and preferences arranged in consideration of “thee,” not “me.” Indeed, it is about giving, not receiving; it is about pardoning, not being pardoned.

The Peace Prayer comes full circle and concludes the way begins, with a reference to the resurrection. “For it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” The resurrection and its Easter peace are the beginning of Christian spirituality as well as the finish line. “Little Christs” live faithful lives and  ultimately cross that finish line when, following in the footprints of the Lord and Divine Master, they dedicate themselves to looking beyond “me” to “thee” – to God and all humanity.

A while back, I mentioned that I didn’t care for “heavy” reading and Paz asked me to explain what I meant by that.   I’ve been contemplating what I meant and haven’t come to any conclusions.

But the Peace Prayer is the opposite of “heavy” for me.

I find in it two words that take me deeper: sow and seek.

Then I reflect on what I am to sow: love, pardon, faith, hope, light, joy

And what I am to seek: to console, to understand, to love, to give, to pardon, to die

It doesn’t go on and on with a  lot of additional words.  I can just sit with this and it  takes me deeper and deeper.

I won’t say this is “light” but it’s certainly not “heavy”.

What’s your take on Peace Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi?