Dear Sisters and Brothers in St. Francis,

Peace to each of your hearts!

 “Once upon a time,” an ancient story tells, “the master had a visitor who came to inquire about Zen.  But instead of listening, the visitor kept talking about his own concerns and giving his own thoughts.  After a while, the master served tea.  He poured tea into his visitor’s cup until it was full and then he kept on pouring.  Finally the visitor could not bear it any longer.  ‘Don’t you see that my cup is full?’ he said.  ‘It’s not possible to get anymore in.’  “‘Just so,’ the master said, stopping at last.  ‘And like this cup, you are filled with your own ideas.  How can you expect me to give you Zen unless you first empty your cup.?’

The season of Lent gives us the opportunity to engage in the process of emptying our cups and changing our hearts.  St. Francis knew this well.  In Celano’s Life of St. Francis we read, “Changed in mind but not in body, [Francis] ... was anxious to direct his will to God’s.  Thus he retired for a short time from the tumult and business of the world and was anxious to keep Jesus Christ in his inmost self.  Like an experienced merchant, he concealed the pearl he had found from the eyes of mockers and, selling all he had, he tried to buy it secretly....  He acted in such a way that no one would know what was happening within.  Wisely taking the occasion of the good to conceal the better, he consulted God alone about his holy purpose.  He prayed with all his heart that the eternal and true God guide his way and teach him to do [God’s] will.  He endured great suffering in his soul, and was not able to rest until he accomplished in action what he had conceived in his heart.”

Our Regional Chapter of Elections has concluded and a new Council has been elected.  We are humbled by your confidence in us and grateful for your trust.  We beg your prayers as we begin our term, that we may be  faithful servants, open to the promptings of the Spirit as we embrace the tasks at hand.

Please keep those cards and letters going up.

Blessings, all that is good, and much love,

mattie♥