The following reflection is from Dave Sebastian (far left), a participant in Franciscan for the Summer—a summer discernment internship which includes living with the Friars while studying in Rome about ”Ecumenical and Interreligious Movements from a Catholic Perspective.” Dave offered the following reflection:
My God moment this past week was a combination of the visit to Assisi and my personal visit to the Basilica of St. Cecilia in Trastevere. To see in Assisi the sites relating to Saints Francis and Clare and St. Cecilia’s tomb was inspiring. It showed to me how dynamic the power of the Resurrection is in the lives of people. These were just simple folks who were going about their lives like we all do. But they encountered something—more like someone—which caused them to abandon everything to witness to him, who has loved us from the beginning, Christ.
Even today, many centuries later their lives continue to inspire many up-and-coming saints. They showed that anyone and everyone are called to be saints and witness to Jesus, all in their unique way. This gives me hope not only in myself but in the whole world. If we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, just as the Spirit brought about life in the first creation and raised Jesus in the new creation, then he can do wondrous things in us with a little faith, hope, and love.