Vocational Lenten Reflections with Gregory Gebbia, OFM
Taking the First Steps of Lent – February 22, 2023 Gregory Gebbia, OFM
Christians the world over are standing in lines today and participating in an ancient Lenten ritual, the reception of ashes. Though Ash Wednesday is not a holy day, churches see an uptick in the attendance numbers. People desire to take their first steps of renewal and reconciliation, of transformation and transfiguration, and begin a journey requiring courage. They are seeking grace of conversion.
Forty days is not an arbitrary number in both our scriptures and secular endeavors. It is the necessary timeframe for lasting change to occur. The point here is that we hope to be different on the Wednesday before Holy Thursday than the person we were on Ash Wednesday.
The shape and texture that our journey takes, however, cannot be without thoughtful discernment. For Lent to have an impact on us means we approach the season with intentionality. As Franciscans, we begin our discernment through the lens of God’s abundant love and grace. We put our confidence in God’s love. Our footsteps become one with the footprints of Christ. Intensely drawn to the cross we have chosen to embrace, we proceed in hope because the rising sun of Easter is always on our horizon.
This is the first of a bi-weekly essay by Fr. Gregory Gebbia, OFM, who will share his thoughts and reflections on Lent and Vocation Discernment throughout the Lenten season. His essays will appear every Wednesday and Sunday through Holy Week. Fr. Greg is Director of Enrollment Management Strategic Partnerships at Siena College, a Franciscan institution of higher education in upstate Loudonville, New York.
Journey Towards Transfiguration – February 26, 2023 Gregory Gebbia, OFM
Not all have the same Lenten journey ahead of them, but conversion does mean Christ joins the road trip. Most of us choose an incremental, glacial pathway up our sacred mountains. Others will use Lent as the guidepost that directs them towards deep change, transfiguration. Both are good and both require planning early in Lent. Incremental change is about taking a highway where distances, destinations and off-ramps are clearly marked. Deep conversion, however, requires taking the road less traveled. It is often a slower paced, longer thoroughfare filled with unexpected surprises unseen on our interstates. Choosing one or the other will make your Lent!
A vocation is a call to journey with Christ up Mount Tabor’s height. A walk that leads to deep change. This dazzling, transfiguring moment enlightens us to see beyond the immediate, to hear a call we may not feel ready to answer, to be touched and moved by a passionate love that is all-consuming, yet never destroys. This first Sunday of Lent, decide the path you need to take. One that you are sure will open your eyes, ears and heart to respond to the beautiful call, “come and follow me.”
This is the second in a series of bi-weekly essays by Friar Gregory Gebbia, OFM, who is sharing his thoughts and reflections on Lent and Vocation Discernment throughout the Lenten season. His essays appear every Wednesday and Sunday. Friar Gregory is Director of Enrollment Management Strategic Partnerships at Siena College, a Franciscan institution of higher education in upstate Loudonville, New York.
Approaching the Crossroads – March 1, 2023 Gregory Gebbia, OFM
The soul-work has begun. The scriptures map our journey by keeping us focused, confident that God is our travel guide and companion. Take heart! You will find yourself stopping at several graced crossroads. At each of these crossroads, you will have a critical decision to make. You must stop and ponder which direction will serve you best. The recurrent question: Is my next step life-giving, or is it death-dealing?
In life, we always have options. We have before us decisions that will enlarge our souls so that we become more fully ourselves, or that diminish and shortchange ourselves. God is always pointing us in the direction of life. It is ours to choose life. Experiencing the inevitable storms that make our way unclear need not mean we should take the next off-ramp. A vocation search has numerous twists and turns. Carry on! Pass through the storms. Fear not the detours. Trust that God is closer to you than you are to your very self. Recall the words of the prophet Jeremiah: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, ancient paths, the good way. Travel it, and you will find rest for your souls.”
This is the third in a series of bi-weekly essays by Friar Gregory Gebbia, OFM, who is sharing his thoughts and reflections on Lent and Vocation Discernment throughout the Lenten season. His essays appear every Wednesday and Sunday. Friar Gregory is Director of Enrollment Management Strategic Partnerships at Siena College, a Franciscan institution of higher education in upstate Loudonville, New York.
Side Trip Up Mount Tabor – March 5, 2023 Gregory Gebbia, OFM
Some say, the transfiguration is the “greatest miracle.” In this gospel event, the light of heaven breaks into our lives and we encounter the risen Christ. This is a side trip on our Lenten journey. We are dazzled and amazed that Jesus offers us this moment. It illuminates our journey of discernment.
It may come as a surprise to us that our journey will not end with a decision or conclusion. The goal is not a resolution. We are not searching for the answer. The Franciscan vocation includes many surprises and unexpected challenges along the way. Called to live in fraternity as companions on a journey, we discover God’s presence embedded in creation and within the lived experience of others. In a word, we are love in action. We accompany people. Our great desire is to live in a manner where love is transforming, not confining.
Coming down the heights of Tabor, our focus this week includes three questions. Understand that the glue holding these questions together is love. As Franciscans, if we are not about love, then we are not about God. Consider… What gives you joy? Is it something you are good at doing? Do people need you to do this?
This is the fourth in a series of bi-weekly essays by Friar Gregory Gebbia, OFM, who is sharing his thoughts and reflections on Lent and Vocation Discernment throughout the Lenten season. His essays appear every Wednesday and Sunday – this latest on the Second Sunday of Lent. Friar Gregory is Director of Enrollment Management Strategic Partnerships at Siena College, a Franciscan institution of higher education in upstate Loudonville, New York.
This is the fifth in a series of bi-weekly essays by Friar Gregory Gebbia, OFM, who is sharing his thoughts and reflections on Lent and Vocation Discernment throughout the Lenten season. His essays appear every Wednesday and Sunday – this latest on the Third Sunday of Lent. Friar Gregory is Director of Enrollment Management Strategic Partnerships at Siena College, a Franciscan institution of higher education in upstate Loudonville, New York.
A Cup of Happiness – March 12, 2023
Friar Gregory Gebbia, OFM
“Happy Lent!” I often wish people this sentiment at this time of the year. The look is one of cognitive dissonance. They seem to think that Lent and happiness are polar opposites. Some tell me that it sounds like I am trying to dismiss, trivialize or even ridicule the exhortation often given on Ash Wednesday, “turn away from sin and believe in the good news.” Rather than explain myself, I just move on, aware that I cannot help people be happier than they want.
Nonetheless, have a “joyful and happy Lent!” Happiness is at the well this Sunday. It is the longest story in the Gospel and a deeply personal encounter. It is not just about our thirsts. It tells of God’s thirst for us!
Genuine love is “willing the good of another.” Discerning a vocation is recognizing that God is thirsting for you. The happiness God wants for you is not something, but someone, a relationship with Christ. We can satisfy all our thirsts by accepting living water, the happiness that only God can give. Discernment is like standing at the well thirsty. God is waiting there. Will you drink the cup of happiness, the living water?
This is the sixth in a series of bi-weekly essays by Friar Gregory Gebbia, OFM, who is sharing his thoughts and reflections on Lent and Vocation Discernment throughout the Lenten season. His essays appear every Wednesday and Sunday – this latest on the Third Wednesday of Lent. Friar Gregory is Director of Enrollment Management Strategic Partnerships at Siena College, a Franciscan institution of higher education in upstate Loudonville, New York.
This Word Shall Not Be Spoken – March 15, 2023
Friar Gregory Gebbia, OFM
News flash! All saints have a past; all sinners have a future. Lent would not be lent without a word about sin. We find that many people today prefer to wish this topic away. Do not speak it! Yet, sin is that little word that often packs the meanest punch. Ironically, we smother sin’s guilt even when it pushes us into a new consciousness that sparks conversion. Perhaps it is because we confuse guilt with shame. The difference? Guilt means we made a mistake. Shame means we are a mistake. They are vastly important to appreciate.
Sin needs definition and description. In the discernment journey, it is common that one becomes cognizant of one’s own sin. Properly understood, it sheds light on what truly causes estrangement from God and others.
Called to love God and neighbor, sin is anything that breaks relationship. This is a game-changer! What we do for love matters. What we consider genuine love is vital. How we give birth to love demands great fidelity and courage.
Let’s just consider one example. Gossip. Is there any activity that does more damage, and causes more division and deep heartache? Too often, gossip becomes the nails used to hang someone on the cross of criticism. Nothing fractures relationships as effectively as having too much mouth, as my students would often say. This week, consider this understanding of sin. Put gossip in check. Give it a past and take the leap into a brighter future.
This is the seventh in a series of bi-weekly essays by Friar Gregory Gebbia, OFM, who is sharing his thoughts and reflections on Lent and Vocation Discernment throughout the Lenten season. His essays appear every Wednesday and Sunday – this latest on the Fourth Wednesday of Lent. Friar Gregory is Director of Enrollment Management Strategic Partnerships at Siena College, a Franciscan institution of higher education in upstate Loudonville, New York.
Open Our Eyes – March 19, 2023
Friar Gregory Gebbia, OFM
The end is in sight! Glimmers of Easter are beginning to brighten our way. The powerful symbol presented in our Gospel is light. Of the many ways we can approach discernment, enlightenment is one way to consider our quest. We are seeking to have our eyes opened, as was the blind man presented today. Blindness is not just physical. It is also true that many who are blind see more keenly than those with sight. An enduring, discerning prayer is, open my eyes Lord, help me to see like you.
It is strange and unfortunate that we, too often, see only what we want to see. We wear blindfolds that prevent us from seeing beyond the limits of our imaginations. We turn our sights away from new ideas that could penetrate the darkness of our unknowing. Our impulsive judgements and criticisms block us from appreciating the other, whoever they may be. Those who make us uncomfortable are often not recognized as Christ among us in his most distressful disguise.
Today, give yourself an eye exam. Find the corrective lens that will brighten your ability to become less shortsighted and gain clearer perspectives. Lastly, welcome Jesus’ advice: go wash in the pool of Siloam and come back able to see!
This is the eighth in a series of bi-weekly essays by Friar Gregory Gebbia, OFM, who is sharing his thoughts and reflections on Lent and Vocation Discernment throughout the Lenten season. His essays appear every Wednesday and Sunday – this latest on the Fourth Wednesday of Lent. Friar Gregory is Director of Enrollment Management Strategic Partnerships at Siena College, a Franciscan institution of higher education in upstate Loudonville, New York.
God’s Will Discovered – March 22, 2023
Friar Gregory Gebbia, OFM
Considering God’s Will is fitting whenever we are discerning choices before us, especially when we are seeking to make a decision that has consequences for the rest of our lives. It is important to keep regret at bay. Some decisions do not make a do over possible. While we can take heart with the poster saying, today is the first day of the rest of your life, this thought may be too facile when it comes to commitments that affect all our tomorrows and set our destinies. Parenting is just one example. A life of self-gift is another.
Know that God’s will is not the will of someone else. Believe that God is not another person out there with whom I align my will, as spiritual master, Michael Himes, points out. There is such freedom in this understanding. Discover what it is that you most really and deeply want, when you are most really and truly you. When you are at your best, what is it that you truly desire? There the will of God is discovered.
Such an appreciation brings peace and paves a sure road to making our lives a gift of self.
This is the ninth in a series of bi-weekly essays by Friar Gregory Gebbia, OFM, who is sharing his thoughts and reflections on Lent and Vocation Discernment throughout the Lenten season. His essays appear every Wednesday and Sunday – this latest on the fifth Sunday of Lent. Friar Gregory is Director of Enrollment Management Strategic Partnerships at Siena College, a Franciscan institution of higher education in upstate Loudonville, New York.
Called Forth From Darkness – March 26, 2023
Friar Gregory Gebbia, OFM
In John’s Gospel, the last of eight “signs”, miracles, is the Raising of Lazarus from the Dead. All the signs proclaim Jesus’ divinity. There is so much to unpack in this story. For all the players in this gospel, the summoning of Lazarus from his tomb means that Lazarus and his sisters need never live the same way again.
A deep conversion and discerning experience work similarly. Both point to the future. Both roll away the stones and barriers that put us in darkness. Both call forth life and grace-filled possibilities we may not have thought possible. Good stuff, indeed!
Franciscan vocational discernment includes God summoning us from our tombs of darkness to begin a future today. What is your heart telling you? Can you name your four hopes and dreams? Are you ready to respond to the gnawing ache that has been occupying your thoughts and keeping you restless?
Having taken concrete steps during this Lenten journey, you may be ready to follow your heart’s desire. Are you confident to take the next steps? This may be the moment to come alive and share with our broken world the peace and goodness only Christ can call forth.
This is the tenth in a series of bi-weekly essays by Friar Gregory Gebbia, OFM, who is sharing his thoughts and reflections on Lent and Vocation Discernment throughout the Lenten season. His essays appear every Wednesday and Sunday – this latest on the fifth Wednesday of Lent. Friar Gregory is Director of Enrollment Management Strategic Partnerships at Siena College, a Franciscan institution of higher education in upstate Loudonville, New York.
Grace: The Fire Within – March 29, 2023
Friar Gregory Gebbia, OFM
While we have reflected on several touch points on this journey of discernment, one connection grounds everything. Grace is its name. Without grace, nothing is possible.
Grace has to do with God’s absolute friendship with us. It is not something we merit, or go out to get; or something we deserve for good behavior. Richard Rohr makes clear that grace is one of the many names we have for God, the love we call God – God’s official job description as Franciscan Friar.
The beautiful thing about grace is that it is lovingly inclusive. Creation, Scripture, profound human experiences, the sacraments, life and death sing grace’s story. It is simply how God communicates with us during every nanosecond of our lives. God has given God’s ALL to us. Think of grace as the womb in which God has mothered us and loved us into birth. Grace is everywhere! In its zeal, we live, move, and have our very being. Truly, grace is the only gift that keeps giving.
This week, consider God as the fire within us, an intense burning heart, seeking to consume, but never destroy. In this dynamic friendship, in and through God’s passionate grace, God just may be calling you to be another loving heart to set the world on fire!