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Reflection from our Franciscans
We are called to be Mothers of Christ
Francis of Assisi wrote, “We are mothers of our Lord Jesus Christ when we carry him in our hearts and in our bodies… and give birth to him through the working of his grace in us.” Here, he offers us an image that is at once tender and demanding, as to be a mother is to cherish life with one’s whole being. A true parent does not love halfway, sacrificing sleep, comfort, pride, and personal preference for the sake of the child. Their well-being becomes the lens through which everything else is measured, and there is attentiveness, protectiveness, and a quiet willingness to give without counting the cost.
Francis invites us into that same posture toward Christ, for if we are “mothers” of the Lord, then we carry Him not as an idea, or a learned doctrine, but as a living presence within our hearts and our bodies. We nurture Him through prayer, silence, repentance, and through a sincere conscience. We protect this loving presence by turning away from what hardens us or diminishes our joy to express humility, charity and love.
St Francis continues in describing this spiritual parenthood by writing that we must give birth to our Lord. Whenever His grace works through us, at times when patience replaces irritation, when mercy interrupts judgment, when kindness is extended without calculation, Christ is born into the world again and again. There is such beauty in witnessing how a mother’s love is visible within her actions for her children, so too can we find beauty as the love of Christ shines forth from us. It is not from His name upon our lips alone which should initiate others’ encounter with Christ, but as well from our actions they feel His compassion, His gentleness, His welcome.
We are called to cherish him so deeply that His love cannot help but to come forth from us and flow outward to all whom we encounter. As we do not choose which of God’s children is worthy of this message of love, this outpouring includes those we find difficult, strangers, the overlooked and even those who disagree with or wound us. If we accept the reciprocal love we share with our Savior, then no one is beyond His care. This grace cannot be controlled by us, but rather works through us. Christ takes flesh once more through our actions
May we carry Him with tenderness.
May we protect Him with sincerity.
And may we give birth to Him in the world, again and again.
Peace.
Rich
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