Today the World is spiritually hungry and
thirsty. Men and women from all walks of life are turning to all sorts of
spiritual Gurus. The need is felt strongly because of economic situation. Many
are turning to Church and Charismatic prayer groups to seek God and spiritual
solace. We Capuchins are known all over the world for our life of Prayer
especially contemplative prayer. Many of our friars are giving good example all
over the world. Many lay people are attracted to our form of life and prayer.
We have to keep this going and contribute our might and share in satisfying the
hunger and thirst of millions of people all over the world. There are
challenges before us, which we need to face and some even needed to be tackled
too. One challenge is the need to stress enough the importance of the daily
community prayer that brings together all the Brothers. This community prayer
is now compromised and pushed to a corner. We know that a praying community is
most vibrant one. Praying community leads by example. Today in the name of
apostolate and ministry friars are found absent in the chapels. Our senior
friars wait for the young to come to the Lord and they are disappointed. If a
Brother is absent on a regular basis from community prayer, the Guardians
should do everything in their power to invite him back. The community cannot be
idle on that score. It must always bear in mind that things can change and that
such an attitude is not inevitable.
After admonishing the brothers we need to
surrender these brothers to the Lord and pray for the conversion of these
Brothers. We need to find best ways and means to reach out to these brothers
who could be spiritually lost in oblivion. We need to help brothers their moral
responsibility as a Capuchin who has to be a man of prayer and spirituality. We
have to be grateful to the Brothers, especially the older ones, who spend free
time in the oratory before the Lord, whether during daytime or when others are
asleep. They are the heart and soul of our communities. They are the rock other
Brothers rely on for support. Their brotherly presence and their silent prayer
are a grace, which obtains countless benefits for us all.
In the west and Europe many of our
Capuchin friars together listen to the Word and put it into practice is a
community that shines forth. The morning meditation is an ideal time for Jesus,
Word of the Father, to mysteriously transform hearts even better than a potter
fashions his work. Let us safeguard that half hour, giving it all our care.
Each one helps the other by the quality of his silence and of his attention.
The Chapel then becomes the Upper Chamber where the apostles, together with the
Virgin Mary, allow themselves to be schooled by the Spirit. Let not our words
distract us from the Lord’s. Let us allow him to speak to each one, in his own
language, for he knows us through and through.
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