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My Soul is Thirsting
 Our readings for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time share a theme about seeking God but not knowing the time that God will come to us. In Wisdom we first learn that wisdom "is readily perceived by those who love her and found by those who seek her" (6:12). Later the passage says, "Because she makes her own rounds seeking those worthy of her, and graciously appears to them in the ways" (6:16). How are we "seeking" God? The Gospel from Matthew warns us to always be ready: "Therefore always be awake for you know neither the day nor the hour" (25:13). Are we like the five virgins who are not prepared for when God comes to us, or are we like the five who have prepared? How does our soul thirst for God? If Jesus stood before us would we even recognize him? In other Gospels we find that because they were consumed by their own needs, even Jesus's own followers did not recognize him. In Luke, two of Jesus's followers did not recognize him on the road to Emmaus even though they traveled with him for a period of time. It was not until the breaking of the bread that they realized who he was. In his Testament, Francis stated, "When I was in sin, it seemed bitter for me to see lepers. And the Lord himself led me among them and I showed mercy to them. And when I had left them what seemed bitter to me was turned into sweetness of body and soul." When Francis embraced that which he most feared and scapegoated, when he reached out to the poor and marginalized, that's when he was transformed. That's when Francis began seeing the beauty God in every creature and person, especially those on the edge of society. That is when he had enough oil for his lamp so he would always be prepared. Every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. (repeated across U.S. time zones), there is a prayer service across the street from the Capitol by the Interfaith Coalition for a Moral Budget. We pray that our leaders open their hearts and eyes as Francis did, and not balance the budget at the expense of the poor and marginalized. As you are able, please devote a few minutes where ever you are to join us in prayer. The FAN homepage includes a prayer service and sample letter. |
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Save the Date for a FAN Webinar!
Spirituality + Science = Care for Creation
Retrieving a Franciscan Cosmology for Climate Conservation
Keith Douglass Warner OFM
Santa Clara University
Thursday, November, 17, 8 p.m. EDT
Franciscan care for creation emerges from the spirituality of St. Francis but also draws on the Franciscan intellectual tradition, which includes the natural sciences. Fostering ecological literacy should be an important goal for Franciscans in the 21st century.
Registration information coming soon!
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FAN Staff Advocates for Conscience Protection
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a rule to require private health plans to cover for all FDA-approved prescription contraceptive drugs and devices, as well as surgical sterilization for women and men. These are listed among "preventive services for women" that all health plans will have to cover without co-pays or other cost-sharing - regardless of whether the insurer, the employer or other plan sponsor, or even the woman herself objects to such coverage.
Before the Sept. 30 close of the public comment period, FAN staff member Christy Elliott submitted comments to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
Although the HHS public comment period has closed, please email your Senators and Representative to urge support for the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179, S. 1467).
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Celebrating Instruments of Peace
On October 27, 2011, FAN Executive Director Patrick Carolan and staff member Christy Elliott joined the National Fraternity of the SFO and other guests and observers to observe the World Day of Prayer for Peace: Spirit of Assisi.
The Secular Franciscans presented their JPIC Award to Fr. Louie Vitale, OFM. Ed Shirley, SFO posted a reflection on the FAN blog.
FAN Action Commissioner and SFO National JPIC Commission Chair Kent Ferris presented on JPIC and the SFO relation to FAN.
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Block the Expansion of E-Verify
H.R. 2885, Expansion of the Employer Electronic Verification System (E -Verify), was approved by the House Judiciary Committee in September. Efforts are underway by faith communities and others to urge Speaker Boehner not to bring it the House floor. Members of the USCCB's Justice for Immigrants legislative committee (including FAN staff member Sr. Marie Lucey, OSF) are visiting the offices of Catholic Republican Representatives to convey this message. Calls to these Representatives from constituents would be positive action. For more on E-Verify and how to respond, see the Justice for Immigrants website.
OTHER NEWS: The recent Alabama law is even more abhorrent than Arizona because it particularly impacts children. Follow what is unfolding in Alabama and find out if there is similar legislation brewing in your own state as it is, for example, in Pennsylvania.
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Father of all that is good,
keep us faithful in serving you,
for to serve you is our lasting joy.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever. Amen.
(Prayer for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time)
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Mission Statement
Inspired by the Gospel of Jesus, and the example of saints Francis and Clare, the Franciscan Action Network (FAN) is a collective Franciscan voice seeking to transform U.S. public policy related to peacemaking, care for creation, poverty, and human rights. |
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On Oct. 6, Fr. Jacek Orzechowski, OFM (Holy Name Province) represented FAN in a meeting with Assistant Secretary of State Dr. Kerri-Ann Jones (pictured at right) on the Keystone XL, a proposed pipeline from tar sands oil extraction in Alberta, Canada to refineries in Texas. On Oct. 7, Fr. Jacek testified in a public hearing on the subject.