Welcome to Our Blog: Reflections on Hope and Gratitude
On this Angel Monday, during the joyful Octave of Easter, we come together with hearts full of trust and gratitude. We believe that our beloved Pope Francis has passed away, transitioning into the loving arms of God the Father. His life of dedicated service as the shepherd of the Church has been a testament to hope in the risen Jesus Christ. While we mourn his loss, we also find solace in the silent joy that accompanies our grief, as we remember that hope never disappoints.
As we enter the third week of Easter, we celebrate the election of Pope Leo XIV as the successor to the Chair of Saint Peter. His message of peace, rooted in love and humility, resonates with all people, offering a sense of comfort and unity in these challenging times.
For those who choose to see each day as a gift, fostering gratitude and simplicity, a profound sense of beauty and wonder permeates our world. Through the lens of faith and love, we can appreciate the interconnectedness of all creation, embracing the Earth as our common home.
Even in the face of historical challenges and tragedies, we are called to maintain a balance between celebration and contemplation. Our vision for a harmonious coexistence must confront the injustices and suffering that persist in our world, from poverty and exploitation to war and genocide. It is through a collective effort to address these issues with compassion and understanding that we can truly progress towards a shared well-being.
As we reflect on the past and present struggles of humanity, we are reminded of the words of Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau. In the midst of unspeakable cruelty, he asked profound questions about the presence of God in times of extreme suffering. While we may not have all the answers, we hold onto the belief that God’s love prevails, guiding us towards a future filled with hope and healing.
Join us on this journey of reflection and gratitude as we navigate the complexities of our world with faith and compassion. Together, we can strive towards a brighter tomorrow, where love and understanding triumph over darkness and despair.
Embracing Humility and Love: A Reflection on the Journey of Francis of Assisi
In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, it is easy to lose sight of our humanity and the essence of love that binds us all. It is crucial not to turn a blind eye to the cries of those in need, to the suffering of our fellow human beings, and to the call of God echoing within our hearts. For if we do, we risk contributing to the destruction of humanity itself.
Instead, we must rise up with humility and perseverance, calling out to God to not forget His creation, to not forsake humanity. This cry to God should not only be a vocal one but should also resonate within our hearts, awakening the hidden presence of God within us. We must not let the power of God within us be overshadowed by selfishness, fear, indifference, or opportunism.
Our personal journey is a call to our conscience in the present moment. It requires humility, a recognition of our fragility, and a willingness to seek truth even in the darkest of times. Through silence and introspection, we can discover the love that is the hidden presence of God within us. This path may lead us through challenges and tribulations, but it ultimately guides us towards a life of sacrifice, of making things sacred through love.
Looking back at the life of Francis of Assisi, we see a man who faced his own trials and tribulations. Despite the challenges he encountered, he remained faithful to his calling, finding joy in the simple act of following God’s will. His humility and dedication to serving others serve as an inspiration to us all.
As we navigate our own paths, let us remember the lessons of Francis of Assisi. Let us embrace humility, seek truth, and strive to make our world a better place. In doing so, we honor the legacy of those who came before us and pave the way for a future filled with love, justice, and peace.
In the depths of poverty and deprivation, where suffering becomes a testament to complete surrender, Francis of Assisi found the radiant light of God’s love that fueled his hope. The words of the papal bull for the 2025 Jubilee, quoting Saint Paul and Saint Augustine, beautifully articulate this unwavering faith shared by the two Francises – the troubadour of Assisi and Pope Bergoglio.
“Christian hope, in fact, does not deceive or disappoint, because it is founded on the certainty that nothing and no one will ever be able to separate us from divine love.”
This profound hope, rooted in faith and nourished by charity, sustains us through life’s challenges. As Saint Augustine aptly puts it, “No one lives without believing, hoping, loving.” This hope, as articulated in the papal bull, stands unyielding against all odds, drawing strength from the unwavering love of God.
On a morning in 1225, near the Convent of San Damiano, Francis of Assisi, despite his physical ailments and trachomatous blindness, was enveloped in divine light. Overcome with joy, he penned the Canticle of Brother Sun, celebrating God’s magnificence and offering solace to all.
Addressing the elements of creation as kin, Francis’s Canticle exudes a sense of unity and reverence for the natural world. Each creature, from the sun to the moon, wind to water, is hailed as a sibling, deserving of respect and admiration. This fraternal language invites us to adopt a humble and reverent attitude towards all beings, echoing the sentiments of Pope Francis’s encyclicals Laudato si’ and Fratelli tutti.
Inspired by the life and teachings of Francis of Assisi, these encyclicals urge us to heal the fractures within humanity and embrace a culture of respect and care for all creation. Through the lens of the Canticle of Brother Sun, we are called to rediscover the beauty of existence and foster a spirit of communion with all living beings.
Éloi Leclerc has penned a mesmerizing and enlightening exploration of Francis of Assisi’s poem, Le Cantique des créatures ou les symboles de l’union (1970; translated into Spanish by José Luis Albizu as El cántico de las creatividades in 1977), offering us a glimpse into a profound way of being:
“The Canticle of Brother Sun, far from being a mere embellishment of existence, celebrates a deep transformation that signifies the complete reconciliation of man with the world, with himself, and with God. It is not merely an expression of reconciliation, but an integral part of the spiritual journey itself, where it plays a pivotal role. Here, the song becomes existence.”
Leclerc aptly references a few lines from Rainer Maria Rilke’s Third Sonnet to Orpheus (1923) to illustrate his interpretation of Francis’s poem. In entrusting his brothers to sing and spread the Canticle of Brother Sun during their preaching missions, Francis referred to them as “minstrels” whose duty is to uplift and inspire others towards spiritual joy. This definition encapsulates the essence, meaning, and mission of the Canticle. Viewing the Canticle through this lens, in conjunction with Rilke’s verses, reveals that it is much more than a mere desire or conquest; it is a manifestation of existence itself, akin to a nature blossoming in its essence and existence through an image that embodies love. Just as elemental breathing signifies life, the Canticle embodies a doctrine of surrender and anticipation, rather than mere instruction.
Further, the joyous essence of the Canticle of Brother Sun is meant to be shared, reflecting the experiential origins that inspired its composition: physical pain, suffering, and the inevitable trials of human existence. The merging of these hardships symbolizes the love of Christ, leading to a celebration of those who strive to build a harmonious community amidst adversity and radiate serenity that soothes not only their own hearts but also those of others. The connection to the Beatitudes, particularly towards the merciful, persecuted, and peacemakers, is evident, embodying the peaceful essence that Christ offers and believers strive to emulate.
The final stanza of the Canticle encapsulates the joyful imperative of this pilgrimage of hope, with Christ at its core:
Praise and bless my Lord,
and give thanks and serve him with great humility!
As “pilgrims of hope,” “song is existence” was first published on Exaudi.
