| | | | | | The gospel reading for Sunday, April 27 is from John 20:19-31, which is packed with truths of the faith—such as St. Thomas’s proclamation in verse 28 (“…My Lord and my God!”) after seeing the risen Jesus—and includes the famous passage where Jesus breathes on the Apostles and tells them to go and forgive sins. This became the basis for the Sacrament of Penance for Catholics, which the Council of Trent’s 14th Session established in approximately the year 1551. While verses 22-23 are important, I would like to focus on verse 21: “[Jesus] said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’” | | | | The practical reality of Jesus’ words in John 20:21 concerns sending out the Apostles on mission to perform good works. It wasn’t anything new; Jesus had done this before when he sent them out in Luke 9:1-6 to proclaim the good news and heal the sick. However, in John 20:21, he includes a reminder that the Father had sent Jesus on mission as well: to demonstrate the Father’s love and mercy for his creation (Isaiah 61:1-3) by caring for spiritual and physical needs. Given the unity of Jesus and the Father (John 10:30-38), it was God himself sending the Apostles to fulfill that original mission. We too, like the Apostles, are called to perform works in the name of Jesus. The Commissioning of the Disciples (Matthew 28:16-20) applies to all believers, as does Matthew 25:31-46, the basis for the Corporal Works of Mercy: feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked, give shelter to the homeless, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead. The good works of Jesus are also reflected in FAN’s mission and activities. Performing good works of mercy through Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation initiatives—for example, anti-human trafficking, care for creation, respect life, peacemaking and nonviolence, and ecumenical outreach— is an extension of what Jesus commanded his Apostles and disciples like you and me to do. Whether through advocacy, awareness, legislative action, or direct service to the needy and victims, or ideation through Justice Circles, FAN is encouraging us to respond to Jesus’ call: “Whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these…” (John 14:12). In verse 22 of John 20, Jesus breathes (pneuma) on the Apostles and imparts the Holy Spirit. This recalls Genesis 2:7 and Ezekiel 37. With this pneuma, we are transformed by faith and become a new creation (2 Cor 5:17). With his breath, God gives us strength to overcome obstacles and perform the good works we are called to do. Jesus’ mission was to reconcile mankind to God and care for creation through good works. We too are sent by Jesus to do the same. Through prayer, faith, and the Spirit received at Baptism, we are animated to fulfill the mission God has given us. Gary Burton, OFS Minister of the St. Margaret of Cortona Region Secular Franciscan Order USA Suggested Action: Consider urging Congress to oppose the repeal of clean energy tax credits. These credits create jobs and protect our planet—honor Laudate Deum and act now: Click here to take action. Suggested Petitions: Lord, empower us with Your Spirit to carry out the works of mercy, spreading peace and justice in Your name. God, strengthen us to live out Jesus' mission by serving others and honoring creation. Prayer Lord, You sent the Apostles with Your Spirit to carry out Your mission of love and mercy. Breathe Your Spirit into us, that we may boldly follow Your example, serve those in need, and work for justice in our world. May we always be mindful of the call to care for creation and share Your peace. Amen. | | | | | | | | Offering Thanks to God for Pope Francis | | The board and staff of Franciscan Action Network thank God for the life of Pope Francis and for the great love, humility, and simplicity with which he shepherded the universal Catholic Church. We mourn the loss of his voice for peace, compassion for the vulnerable, and kinship with creation in a world that sorely needs it. “Welcome, my sister Death!” With these words, our Seraphic Father St. Francis indicated his disposition toward that which causes fear and sorrow among much of the human family. The reality and pain of loss cannot be ignored on the human level; and yet as Christians we believe that death has lost its sting through the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. As Franciscans, we believe that it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. “All praise be Yours, my Lord, through Sister Death, from whose embrace no mortal can escape.” Amen. (Sources: St. Francis, Canticle of the Creatures; prayers for wake services, Secular Franciscan Order) | | | | | | | | | | Today On Earth Day, Act to Protect Clean Energy! | | This Earth Day (April 22), the Franciscan Action Network joins 32 faith-based organizations in urging Congress to oppose the repeal of clean energy tax credits in the upcoming budget reconciliation bill. These credits have created over 400,000 jobs and are essential to addressing the climate crisis. In Laudate Deum, or “praise God,” Pope Francis calls for a hastened transition to renewable energy and the “abandonment of fossil fuels.” FAN honors the Pope’s appeal and advocates with our members of Congress this Mother Earth Day! | | | | | | | | Peace & Justice Pilgrimage to Assisi - April 22–29, 2026 | | We are excited to announce that FAN will once again join with Pace e Bene to host a Peace & Justice Pilgrimage to Assisi! Join Franciscan Friar Michael Lasky, Dr. Ken Butigan, and FAN Executive Director Michele Dunne for a powerful, one-week pilgrimage to Assisi—walking in the footsteps of St. Francis and St. Clare and learning from their powerful example. Past participants can tell you that this will be an amazing journey of prayer, community, and renewed commitment to our shared call to justice, peace, and nonviolence. Stay tuned—more details and application information coming very soon! | | | | | | | | | | | | Sat-Mon October 18-20, FJLC - Register now for the 2025 Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference, taking place October 18-20 in Washington, DC. Join people of all ages from across the country for a weekend of community, action, and deepening the call to justice. Spots are going quickly! Click here for more details. | | | | | | | | Thank you to everyone who attended our advocacy workshop last week! The recording is here: | | | | Please feel free to reach out to Eileen DeGuire with any questions or if you need any support with legislative advocacy! | | | | | | Franciscan Justice Circle Updates | | The Twin Cities Metro FJC continues bringing new people to join the circle in their shared desire to be an active group that takes action according to the gospel and Franciscan values and priorities. As their first joint action together, they agreed to sign on to the FAN letter to Congress promoting the priorities of vulnerable communities and creation when approving the national budget. The Chicagoland FJC members plan to partake in various upcoming events and actions relating to solidarity with immigrant sisters and brothers, climate action and intercultural sharing. Several will also participate in Bread for the World’s Offering of Letters on Nourish Our Future campaign to protect programs for hungry people in the US and abroad. Upcoming Franciscan Justice Circle (FJC) gatherings: CT-RI FJC: Tues. April 22 at 7:00 pm ET over Zoom Texas FJC: Tues. April 22 at 7:15 pm CT over Zoom SE Wisconsin FJC: Thurs. April 24 at 4:00 pm CT over Zoom Phoenix Area FJC: Thurs. April 24 at 5:00 pm MST over Zoom Denver Area FJC: Mon. April 28 at 7:00 pm MT over Zoom Twin Cities Metro FJC (Minneapolis-St. Paul): Thur. May 1 at 7:00 pm CT over Zoom SoCal FJC: Thur. May 1 at 6:00 pm PT over Zoom Chicagoland FJC: Sat. May 3 at 10:00 am CT over Zoom Reading, PA FJC: Sun. May 4 at 3:00 pm ET in person NYC-Area FJC: Tues. May 6 at 7:30 pm ET over Zoom Kansas FJC: Tues. May 6 at 7:00 pm CT over Zoom To find out more about any of the FJC gatherings coming up or for information about joining or forming a Circle, please contact Nora Pfeiffer at FJCinfo@franciscanaction.org. | | | | The Franciscan Action Network sends out a weekly reflection and newsletter to our members. We hope you find the content educational and inspirational. | | Contact Us Franciscan Action Network
1400 Quincy Street NE
Washington, District of Columbia 20017
202-527-7575
info@franciscanaction.org | | | | Follow Us on Social Media | | | | | | | | |
