Dear Friends,
Greetings from the Assisi Heights Spirituality Center!
Reapers of the Flame! Dominating the nightly news for weeks on end are the stories of the wildfires that have repainted the green palette black! Fire, a mythological gift of the gods, has scorched the grasslands, forests and homes. Paradise burned! Smoke has drifted like a dismal souvenir downwind zigzagging, crossing mountains and state lines, observing no stop signs. People downhill participate unwillingly in a highly combustible future.
The world is at a pivotal point between survival and destruction. A million deaths have been tallied as COVID-19 wormed its way around the country. Mutations still hang around. Global warming is threatening, economic insecurity is looming, and the supply chain disrupted. A Russian invasion has ignited inflation. Racism still exists; women are still being demeaned, battered, and raped. Political divisions deepen daily. Politicians exploiting religion. Polarization of wealth, dysfunctional government structures, obsessive competition, and inert and regressive churches seem to be trending.
The earth is speaking out with tornadoes, floods, hurricanes and fires. Resources are being depleted at an alarming rate. Do we see the clues? Can we hear/see the deeper questions?
The Desert Mothers said it this way: Ammas Theodosia asked Ammas Sarah, “Ammas, as much as I can I pray, and I fast and I meditate. What else can I do?” The old woman stood up, stretched out her hands to the heavens. Her fingers became like a lamp of fire. She said, “If you will, you can become the feminine flame of God, and kindle the divine fire through tears and hard work!”
God has left the world in our hands! Our work is to ‘stay in the fire’ to save this planet from destruction by turning around the God of fire, inviting our youth and appealing to our wisdom, people to live alternatively with less, build bridges, unfold reconciliation by bringing both sides together, lifting up the marginalized, and ushering in peace to all peoples.
Our task is to wrestle with the issues, kindle fire with humility, and ‘not let the fire go out!’
During this time of uncertainty, we want to say how much we value your relationship. Many of our events are now offered via Zoom, which has allowed us to welcome participants near and far. With no travel limitations, and no dress code concerns, we hope to increase our circle of invited guests. And, although we are not yet fully open to the public, we are hosting a few outdoor events with limited attendance.
So please continue to share our offerings with friends and family beyond southeastern Minnesota. Similarly, we invite you to give us suggestions for programs you might like to see at Assisi Heights. Any themes, issues, and ideas that can broaden and enhance our offerings are welcome!
Check out the ‘fires’ at Assisi Heights Spirituality Center! To view our current offerings, click here: 2022 AHSC Fall Programs. Please check our event calendar often at: www.rochesterfranciscan.org/events for updates and registration. Note: All event times are listed as Central Time Zone.
Sister Marlys Jax
Assisi Heights Spirituality Center
ahsc@rochesterfranciscan.org | 507-529-3524
CLICK HERE FOR THE EVENT CALENDAR