The First and Second Markers and the First Turn.

Below is the short video from my smartphone at the Franciscan Labyrinth.  The entire walk is too much to upload with my device so little bites will have to suffice, I suppose.  These reflections are just some of the many we will be presenting from time to time.  In this first one there are actually two "Thoughts" as we placed one at the start of the path at the Westerly entry, cleverly chosen as "In The Beginning" from the Gospels :0)  And then at the first switchback is the second, taken from a Christian radio ministry many years ago.  It states that "It Is Better To Light One Candle Than To Curse The Darkness".  I hope You enjoy the path.  Pax Christi!  RV

One Bread One Body; One Lord Over All!

The above video is by John Michael Talbot.  I ran across this while attempting to upload a clip of the Franciscan Labyrinth.  The subject of the Communion feast is sometimes an area of much disagreement among Christians which I find disturbing.  Some say that this Sacrament is literally the body and blood of Christ.  There are many conditions upon reception of this Sacrament among well meaning Christians.  Others who do not ascribe to the "True Body and Blood" (Transubstaniation) position do view it as a memorial of the Last Supper and have very few conditions placed upon reception.  I have received Communion all over the world, in a variety of methods,  usually within the Catholic position.  I do find the sacred nature of the Sacrament is a beautiful and fulfilling means of reception,  the part which bothers me is the "private club" or exclusionary aspect of this beautiful example of Love given us by Christ.
In my practice of the Sacrament I have taken a "Yes and" position towards its description and practice as well as it's ultimate meaning.  The only admonition I request from recipients is that they respect the elements of the Sacrament.  I do acknowledge the "True Body and Blood" position as I believe it was so stated in the Gospels.  However I also believe that the ultimate message and memorial aspect of the Eucharist is as important to the receiver.  A form of memorial is a means of remembering an important part of our past.  This can take many forms, like a labyrinth for example, and has done so over the centuries and cultures of the human existence.  When these memorials are based on Love and respect I find merit in them and I'm sure God does as well.  When they devolve into disrespect and/or the blood sacrifice (most often of the "Other") then I feel that it falls out of favor with the God which I worship.   Of late I am coming to realize that the Sacrament which our Lord instituted is maybe something more.  I believe that the act of Communion is a "Type" or example of the entire message which Christ preached.  The Love of God and The Love of all Creation.  It seems clear to me that this Love is best practiced in a Community(of whatever size "two or more") .  This premise to me seems pretty clear when we see most social issues involving serial killing or dissociative behavior have their basis in the non loving parts of our familial and sociatial elements.  Here's to Loving Community!  Pax Christi!  RV  PS - The video below was shot at the Franciscan Labyrinth.  In the future I hope to add more shots of the actual turns and some of the meditative points related

 

Franciscanism is as Franciscanism Does!

Well Here I am once more.  My lack of techno skills makes this very difficult at times but I get so happy when some little thing goes right :0)  Above is one short clip of the "Franciscan Labyrinth" several brothers and I have begun to install in the hills above Ashland.  I can't seem to transfer direct video from my phone but if I put it first on You Tube then it may work.  We'll see.  The point here is that I would like to share a bit of the peace and reasoning for this adventure up at "Camp David".  This particular clip is the last turn of the labyrinth journey.  Each of the turns has a thought for reflection attached.  These thoughts are fluid and will be changed up, or ignored all together, as the adventure unfolds.  Release of concerns while entering a labyrinth does not mean that reflection is necessarily needed in the journey.  Release is releasing and not focusing.  However focus is good, as well, depending on the sojourner's need.

In the past few weeks I've spent a little time with my youngest daughter, Alexandria, in Denver.  Never having driven back there before it was a good adventure and the scenery was beautiful.  The sandstone cliffs were very impressive, especially at "Red Rock" just West of Denver.  It was good for myself and my friend Judy to spend time with Alexandria as she was a bit unsettled in her new home.  Tim is very busy with the new job and at that time she had not found a position for herself. 
One of the other sites visited while there was a Catholic shrine to St Francis X. Cabrini also just West of Denver.  This is a site of a retreat center and vacation home for orphans started early last century by a Catholic nun for the Italian immigrants who had settled in Denver as a result of the mining industry.  St Cabrini was the first American to be canonized.  I do not believe she was a Franciscan but she had taken the name of Francis and she as well was an Italian.  The site was very peaceful and pleasurable to visit.  One of the paths was to the top of a mountain with a 30' statue of Jesus at the peak.  On the stairway up there were many mosaics of the "Stations of the Cross".  Artistically very impressive.  I would like to share some of them as the future unfolds.

So the question may arise as to the meaning of the title above.  We were listening to a book on CD during the trip home.  The book is by one of my favorite novelists, Clive Cussler, by the title of The Mayan Secrets.  In a nutshell the book deals with the Mayan literature which was destroyed by the Church during the conquest.  Most of the purging of these "evil" books "of the Devil" were precipitated by the Franciscan Order.  The story deals with some of the Codices saved by the action of another Catholic "Dominican".  The "truth" of any of this is not really important as it is a novel.  However the part which bothered me is important to note.  I have had great friends in both of those orders and if you have read much of this blog you know my opinion of St Francis and the Order which bears his name.  Truth be told, just as much of the actions of "Christians" done in the name of Jesus bear little resemblance to the message of Jesus, there have surely been much wrong done in the name of the order of St Francis.  It is a retelling of the "Tree bearing good fruit" story.  One must be diligent at all times of "Where is the Love" here. 
Trying to be a Good Fruit Bearer in the names of Jesus and Francis!  RV