News

Irish Capuchin Franciscans

1 day ago

Loneliness, Hunger of the Heart (Matt 14:13-21)

When Jesus received the news of the death of his cousin, John the Baptist, he withdrew by boat with the apostles to a lonely place where they could be by themselves.

Another name for loneliness is the hunger of the heart.  A popular film years ago was called “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter.” One cause of loneliness is the emptiness experienced after the death of a loved one.  Even Jesus felt the need to cope with this emptiness.  A person who is grieving needs time and space.  Different people deal with grief in different ways.   In the weeks after the funeral, many people will be very tired physically, emotionally and spiritually.  One may not have the emotional energy to pray.  It is important to let them know that you are praying for them. Pray also for the discernment to know when to accompany the person grieving and when to let the person have time alone. 

A lonely place

The quietness that Jesus sought did not last for long.  People soon found out where he was and flocked there.  Out of pity for them he set aside his own need and attended to their needs.   Hours slipped by and the disciples were concerned because the people had not brought food.  It is interesting that the apostles did not say to Jesus that this is a hungry place but that this is a lonely place.  They had touched on the inner hunger of the heart, loneliness. 

Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta was shocked when her Sisters of Charity went to serve in a poor area of New York.  In Calcutta, the Sisters ministered to the dying and fed hundreds of hungry people every day.  But in New York they were confronted by the hunger of loneliness felt by deserted old people.  This is how Mother Teresa described it: “The worst disease is not leprosy; it is being unwanted, being left out, being forgotten.  The greatest scourge is to forget the next person, to be so suffocated with the things we have that we have no time for the lonely Jesus – even a person in our own family who needs us.” 

In today’s Second Reading Saint Paul writes: “Nothing can come between us and the love of Christ, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food.. ... See MoreSee Less

Irish Capuchin Franciscans

1 week ago

Treasure in the Heart (Matt. 13:44-52)

In today’s gospel Jesus continues the seven parables about the kingdom of heaven in our lives.  What is this kingdom?  In the gospels, the kingdom of heaven has several different shades of meaning.  In today’s parables it refers to the hidden treasure in the heart.  “The kingdom of God is within you.”  It is the realization that God is not only up there but is also in here, in my heart and soul.  That is what Pope Francis called the joy of the gospel, the joy of a personal relationship with Jesus. “The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus.  Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness”.  Inner emptiness is no longer a lonely place: rather, it is space for enjoying the nearness of God in a personal relationship.

This inner joy is described in the parable of a hidden treasure that someone unexpectedly discovered in a field.  He goes off, sells everything he owns and buys the field. The discovery represents a totally unanticipated experience that brings about a sudden conversion, a new awareness of God as present in one’s life.  It is like a new birth and some people refer to the experience as being born again. 

For others the experience is like that of a merchant who was searching for a very valuable pearl.  He also sells all he owns to buy this pearl. These are the people who spent time reading and studying, or exploring various philosophies of life until eventually they found Jesus and all that he means.  Whether it comes in a sudden conversion experience, or as the result of much study and searching, they hold on to this treasure at any cost.  The cost of discipleship usually involves repentance in the sense of a conversion of thought, values and behaviour.

A Church of all sorts

The seventh and last of the parables describes the kingdom as a fishing net dragging in a mixture of many kinds of fish. This refers to the catholic dimension of the kingdom since the word catholic means all-embracing.  There is room for all sorts:  for those who focus on conserving the past side-by-side with those who are impatient for change. ... See MoreSee Less

Irish Capuchin Franciscans

1 week ago

Saints come in all shapes and sizes. The Capuchin Order has over 100 saints and blesseds recognised by the Church. Some years ago Irish Capuchin Friar, Br Owen, compiled a compendium of our Saints and Blesseds (some of the more recent ones will not be on this list). He outlines the life and vocation of each.

As Capuchin Friars we draw much encouragement, guidance and inspiration from our saintly brothers. They share the same vocation as us and we can learn much from them and how they responded to God's call in their lives. You can read Br Owen's account of their lives by copying this website address to your preferred broweser:

capuchin_saints_and_blesseds.pdf share.google/nuRRnRIOOF6LLshWi ... See MoreSee Less

Irish Capuchin Franciscans

1 week ago

Our Provincial Minister, Br. Richard, is currently on visitation with the brothers in the Custody of Zambia. Today he met the newly received Novices and tomorrow Br Richard preseides at the celebration of seven first professions and four Solemn in St. Bonaventure’s, Lusaka.
Please keep the brothers in your prayers. ... See MoreSee Less

Irish Capuchin Franciscans

3 weeks ago

Seeds of Wisdom (Matt 13: 1-13)

“The reason that I talk to them in parables is that they look without seeing and listen without hearing or understanding” (Matt 13:13). Jesus knew that people would listen to stories and remember them. A parable is a story that runs parallel to life, like a mirror that travels beside you in which you can see your life.

How do we listen

Jesus compared his teaching to seeds planted in different sorts of soil. A seed is not of much use if it is left in a paper packet. It must be mixed in the earth. Scripture, the word of God, must be taken from the paper and planted in the earth of life. Only then will it be life-giving. But there are different levels of listening. Every speaker must remember that what is communicated is not necessarily what is said but what is heard. Everything that is read or heard is filtered through the mind of the reader or listener. One listener is delighted while another gets nothing out of the same sermon. There were very different reactions to the preaching of Jesus. Some people were filled with awe at his gracious words while others boiled with anger and were hardened in their prejudice. The sermon is the same but it is the listening that makes the difference. The parable of the sower and seed challenges us about how we listen.
Different soils
The first seed fell on the edge of a path, on hard soil. Birds devoured it before it got into the soil. Our minds are miles away, totally distracted and we take nothing in. Nothing has lodged in the memory. The second seed fell on shallow soil which is alright on the surface but rocky underneath. This represents the shallow person who hears in a superficial, distracted way. This listener is more likely to remember who sat in which seat, or how somebody was dressed!

Other seeds started to grow until the shoots were choked by winding weeds. Sometimes good intentions do not last long because the mind is too preoccupied by other concerns and worries. Finally, there is the good soil which produces a crop in various amounts. If one prepares the soil beforehand there is every chance that the seed will flourish. ... See MoreSee Less