Daily Prayer & Reflection
Our Franciscan Charism focus for this school year is: EXCELLENCE
Already, we find ourselves midway through this Advent season! Where does the time go...just a few weeks until Christmas?
The word 'advent' means a waiting, a time for preparation and that we are doing-shopping, wrapping, party-planning, cooking, card-writing, etc., but what about the inner preparation for Christmas? We all need to consider the 'why are we doing all of these things?' And they are all good things, just not the only things.
Emmanuel is a word we associate with Christmas-it means, 'God with us' and that is likely something we would all want to experience more often. It may be comforting to remind ourselves that God is ALWAYS WITH US. Maybe we can use the rest of this Advent to remind ourselves that we aren't really waiting for Jesus to be born AGAIN but to realize God's presence every moment of every day. Christmas is about our coming to Jesus who is already within us --- Jesus is waiting for US to be present to Him. The journey of Advent is ours to make. Jesus is already within and anxious for us to speak to him in prayer and in how we make our own journey through life.
May we all share a more meaningful rest of Advent this year in how we reflect the love of our God to others as we go through each day. How do I help others realize the presence of God in me and the presence of God in them? Each person bears the dignity and gift of God within. May our celebration of this Christmas renew gratitude for the gifts we receive from God every day. Merry Christmas!
In looking at guidelines to foster EXCELLENCE, we came upon 8 keys to being successful...8 ways we can take on one issue at a time and work at becoming truly our best selves. Even a first step requires patience with ourselves and a willingness to start over if we need to. The question to ask ourselves is this: When I tackle one of these keys, how can I think about it in my life? And how can I change to make this better?
There is no order to these - just take one, focus on it for a time, and see if you can do more. The phrase after is just a starting point, the choices are ours and the timing is ours. There is no ONE WAY, but an individual path for each of us. These are spiritual exercises that give more strength and muscle to our relationship with God and with one another.
Eight Keys of Excellence
Integrity - Do our behaviors and our values match?
Failure - Do I learn from the mistake and move to success?
Speech - Do I speak honestly and kindly?
Presence - Do I make the most of each moment and connect with each person I meet?
Commitment - Do I get out there and make my dreams come true?
Ownership - Do I take responsibility for my choices and actions?
Flexibility - Do I make an effort to see all sides of an issue, to think differently?
Balance - Do I try to be my best self with family, friends, and others at home and work?
Most of all, remember: there is NO PERFECTION/COMPLETION to any of these efforts. We are all on the same journey called life and we all move at our own pace with our own demands and responsibilities - our own strengths and our own weaknesses. The secret to making progress rests in our willingness to admit that we all need help along this journey and God makes the perfect traveling partner. Once we are ready, there is no end to what each of us can accomplish! There is no limit to the joy we can feel in our hearts.
May we each enjoy a beautiful autumn, an easy adjustment to moving into that darker period of the year, a more committed effort to improve myself in some ways, and the willingness to ask for help and be a help to others. Plan to take a hard look at the month of October at its end and honestly evaluate successes and be ready to start again!
Many blessings to all! May this verse from St. Paul's letter to the Romans (the ruling empire of the day) encourage you...
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable, and pure. -Romans 12: 2 ESV
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