You Can’t Take It With You
Jane DeRose-Bamman National Minister
The idiom, “You can’t take it with you” encourages all to enjoy life now because we can’t take money or possessions with us when we die. It appears that Jesus in Luke 12:13-21 may be advocating for us to spend our money and use up our possessions. As we see at the end of the parable, stored up possessions and money are meaningless in the grand scheme of things. However, Jesus concludes with the bottom line – we should be focusing on storing up “what matters to God.”
So what do we want to take with us – or what can we take with us? This month of November, there are numerous feast days highlighting those who have figured out what to take with them on their journeys. We remember All Saints (Nov 1), All Souls (Nov 2), Commemoration of All the Deceased of the Seraphic Order (Nov 5), Blessed John Duns Scotus (Nov 8), St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Patroness of the OFS (Nov 17) and all Saints of the Seraphic Order (Nov 29).
Each is a billboard for not hoarding the God-given gifts we have. After all, the songwriter, Marty Haugen reminds us: “the gifts we have, we are given to share.” (We are Many Parts by Marty Haugen). The gifts also should not be obstacles to seeing the needs of others or how we are impacting people or the environment.
Instead of focusing on the accumulation of material goods, we shift our focus to taking with us: a collection of good deeds, opportunities we took to share our possessions, the times when we cared for creation (including moving earthworms from the sidewalk) and the knowledge of God through spending time in prayer. What will you take when you encounter Sister Death?
This is a perfect month to reflect on OFS Rule Article 19. “Since they are immersed in the resurrection of Christ, which gives true meaning to Sister Death, let them serenely tend toward the ultimate encounter with the Father.”
May our eyes, minds and hearts be open to share our many gifts and to grow in our understanding of the ways of God.
Note: We have a “treasure” on our website – a calendar of Franciscan Saints by day compiled by Mary Lou Coffman OFS: https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/wp-content/uploads/Franciscan-Saints-01-2023.pdf. This information could be used in fraternity newsletters or formation sessions. But give credit to the original sources of information in any publication!
Season of Caring for Creation Observed Sept. 1-Oct. 4
By Joe Makely, OFS
National JPIC Animator
This article is written by Joe Makely, who succeeds Carolyn Townes after her 10 years of service on the National Executive Council.
Greetings in the Season of Caring for Creation 2023!
The Season of Creation is a period that unites the Christian community worldwide to pray and care for the environment. It begins on September 1 with the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and ends on October 4 on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
It was established by Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios I, in 1989, when he proclaimed September 1st as the Orthodox Day of Prayer for Creation. Years later, the World Council of Churches extended the celebration to October 4th, the day St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of the environment, is celebrated.
For his part, in 2015, Pope Francis made the Season of Creation official for the Roman Catholic Church. His holiness’s message for the World Day of Prayer 2023 is here.
The first attachment below is Carolyn Townes’ annual prayers for the Season of Care for Creation based on St. Francis’ own Canticle of Creation and the prayer from Laudato Si’.
The next attachments are resource guides to help OFS members seeking ways to initiate concrete actions to implement Laudato Si.
Franciscan Season of Caring for Creation
LaudatoSi actionplatformhandout
https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2023/09/01/season-of-caring-for-creation-observed-sept-1-oct-4/