Franciscan Inspirations: How Big Is God?
Jim Van Vurst, OFM
May 15, 2020
It sounds like a strange question to ask because, by definition, God is infinite.
Posts from:
Jim Van Vurst, OFM
Jim Van Vurst, OFM, was a Franciscan friar for over 65 years. After ordination, he received his graduate degree in psychology. He contributed widely to St. Anthony Messenger magazine and FranciscanMedia.org before passing away in 2021.
Franciscan Inspirations: Mary at the Cross
Jim Van Vurst, OFM
May 13, 2020
Both the devotion of Mary and the women witnessing Jesus’ death—and the gift of Mary as mother to us—are truths we cannot be without.
Franciscan Inspirations: Power Failures
Jim Van Vurst, OFM
May 13, 2020
One of the sure signs of maturity occurs when a young person begins to be accountable for his or her acts and decisions. It’s one of the nicest presents a young person can give his or her parents.
The Face of Jesus
Jim Van Vurst, OFM
May 13, 2020
When we receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, imagine the face of Jesus looking into your eyes and heart and welcoming you with open arms.
Franciscan Inspirations: Jesus Chooses His 12 Apostles
Jim Van Vurst, OFM
May 13, 2020
Many people find Jesus’ choice of his apostles curious. Why did he choose them in the first place? A cynic might think he could have done better blindfolded. The account of Jesus’ selection of his apostles as related in the Gospel of Luke (6:12-19) contains a lot of details about this important event. In fact, it tells us a lot of about Jesus himself at that moment.
Franciscan Inspirations: God Doesn’t Punish
Jim Van Vurst, OFM
May 13, 2020
It is common for religious people to attribute natural disasters as a punishment by God for sins. If that’s true, then God’s aim is off target because it’s usually the innocent who suffer rather than the guilty.
Franciscan Inspirations: Size Doesn’t Matter, Really
Jim Van Vurst, OFM
May 13, 2020
In our society, it seems that everything has to be bigger or the greatest. “More is more,” as they say. But the truth is this: size is not really that important.