This Sunday we return to Ordinary Time in the church year. We are back to wearing green vestments; green the color of hope. In today’s second reading from the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians, we read: “…although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” These are both discouraging and encouraging words. Unfortunately, as we get older our “outer self” isn’t what it used to be and while it might not be “wasting away”, it needs more attention. The good news is that our “inner self” is being “renewed.” Hopefully, we grow in wisdom and knowledge and our desire to understand God and our desire to be attentive to and faithful to God increases. We look at life differently and come to understand more clearly what is important and what isn’t.
It took St. Paul years to understand this relationship that we have been given by God and how we are renewed. As Jesus says, “…whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” The six Franciscan (OFM) Provinces (geographic areas in the USA) voted to become one Province in the USA at our Extraordinary Chapter a few weeks ago. Nothing will change at this point in time, but the six administrations now have the job of setting up one administration for the USA and this will take time. Thank you for your prayers.
Come, celebrate the Feast of St. Anthony with us this Wednesday!
Check the schedule! St. Anthony Bread, St. Anthony oil, and St. Anthony candles will be available throughout the day. We thank
God for this great Friar friend!
-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.