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This past week 2 people have asked me to suggest a penance for lent. Lent? I had to look at my calendar and saw that lent is just around the corner. I had to ask these two people to give me some time to think about lent ~ to be honest, I had not given any thought to lent and was caught off guard at just how close Ash Wednesday is. I racked my brain to think of a penance. Give up chocolate? Give up beer? Say an extra rosary? I had no clue and was getting frustrated.
While preparing for a talk on Franciscan fraternity I came across those words of Francis:
"Blessed is he who loves his neighbor as much when they are sick and can be of no use as when they are well and can be of use. Blessed is he who loves and respects his neighbor as much when they are absent as when they are present and who would not say anything behind their back that he could not say charitably to his neighbor's face." Admonition XXV
This inspired me to think of how I treat others. Is my neighbor someone I go to just to borrow a cup of sugar or a screwdriver? Did God bless me with a neighbor to be there just when I am lonely or need something? I am thinking about the above words of Francis and what relevance they have for lent. I still do not know what penitential practice(s) I will do or suggest ~ there still is a little time to commit to something. I am struggling with the above Admonition and see how I can apply it to lent.... Any suggestions?
CommitmentThe Franciscan hand-
Leads
Feeds
Prays
Gives
Loves
All who need
The love of Christ
Who he himself found pierced
to set us Free
to be
to love
Frances Acosta
HE NEED FOR THE APOSTOLATE
From the beginning of history there have always been people in need. Jesus said "The poor you will always have with you." (Mt. 26: 11) When He walked on earth, one of His major ways of evangelization was in healing people from various types of afflictions. Some of those were insanity, mental retardation, muteness, deafness, blindness,leprosy, even death!
As we follow Jesus, we want to model our lives after Him. He said that He came to heal the sinner. The well person does not need a doctor, a sick person does. There exist almost as many types of apostolates as there are people in the world.
The fraternity, in observing the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order, is required to have an apostolate in which every member can participate. The fraternity is called upon to use the gifts and capabilities of its' various members in determining a suitable apostolate. A fraternity that has many elderly and
disabled would not choose teaching square dancing to the mentally disabled. Rather, they
might visit the sick or set up a foster grandparents program. Homebound Seculars might be able to make telephone calls or write to the patients confined to bed as their part in the apostolate. All members can pray! As a new member of the fraternity, you are highly encouraged to find in what capacity you can serve the apostolate of the local fraternity.
The apostolate of the fraternity is a critical component of our secular order for two reasons.
One reason is that in working on the apostolate of the fraternity, members get to know one another and thereby help each other to mature spiritually. The second reason is that Jesus used the apostolate as a means of evangelization and thereby to prepare us for His Father's kingdom. When Jesus evangelized the Samaritan woman at the well, "many Samaritans from that town believed in Him on the strength of the woman's word of testimony: 'He told me everything I ever did.'" (John 4:39) When a great healer comes to town regardless of the person's religious denomination, people flock by the thousands to be healed. When the miraculous healings occur, people are convinced of God's power and many conversions from sin happen.
The power of God is evident in the same way when we perform our apostolate. Whether we feed the hungry, work with abused people, shelter the homeless, visit the outcast in prison, counsel
and help pregnant women on the verge of an abortion, accept the mentally and emotionally disabled, help the handicapped, we are being Jesus to that person. Evangelization and apostolate must go hand in hand. This is why it is critical that each fraternity only have one apostolate and then allow it to grow and develop according to the numbers that God sends to the fraternity. One example of doing this is when the fraternity adopts the running of a soup kitchen for the poor as an apostolate. Since the soup kitchen is run by them and not some other group, they will incorporate prayer and teaching into it.
Thanksgiving should be publicly said before the meal. A teaching about God is recommended as part of the program. By necessity, the speaker must be very dynamic.
God will open the poor person's heart to hear the evangelist, but we must supply someone to teach or preach that can break through the barrier of their personal problems.There are many existing ministries, or new ones that could be developed to respond to a need.
One of the newer ministries is domestic violence shelters. Others are programs where a person is asked by an abusive to live in their home to teach them correct family living. This would be a great
opportunity to teach Christian family living. There are programs to teach young mothers to properly care for their children. Volunteers are needed in all of these programs. There is an extensive ministry to the homeless in our society. The needs are growing day by day. Your fraternity could consider some small component of providing for the needs of the homeless. Some people have vans that they use to drive around at night to look for and help these people. Clothing, food, shelter, medical and dental care are needs. In conjunction with caring for all of the other needs, these people need to be nourished spiritually.
PROFESSION COMMITMENT
THE CALL TO PROFESSION
You have reached the end of your time of careful and prayerful study of the life of a Secular Franciscan. You are now invited to make your profession, that is, a public declaration officially received by the Church, whereby you promise to strive for holiness by observing the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order. How can this life be described and summarized?
Father Benet Fonck, O.F.M. describes it this way: The Secular Franciscan is called by God through the Holy Spirit to observe the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the spirit of St. Francis and the heritage of the Franciscan Family within the world and in a community of one mind and heart through a life of prayer (especially the liturgy), through an ongoing change of heart, and through Gospel poverty; and hence is called to build the spirit of brotherly love among people by inflaming the world with Gospel values, by bearing peace and charity, by instilling justice and dignity, by being sensitive and loyal to the Church, and by witnessing to the Gospel of Jesus in a public profession. All of this is done through the example and help of Mary, Francis, and the saints and in imitation of and in intimacy with Jesus Christ the Lord. Profession should take place during the Eucharist, because this special fullness of baptismal life which is sealed and confirmed emphasizes more clearly the task of witnessing to Jesus more effectively in the fraternity, in the Church and throughout the whole world. It is a ceremony showing forth the fact that now in a new way you give yourself to the Lord Jesus, and you are in a new way now sent forth by the Spirit for the work of the Lord. By profession you enter into a new relationship with the other members of your fraternity.
THE CALL TO PROFESSION
You have reached the end of your time of careful and prayerful study of the life of a Secular Franciscan. You are now invited to make your profession, that is, a public declaration officially received by the Church, whereby you promise to strive for holiness by observing the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order. How can this life be described and summarized?
Father Benet Fonck, O.F.M. describes it this way: The Secular Franciscan is called by God through the Holy Spirit to observe the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the spirit of St. Francis and the heritage of the Franciscan Family within the world and in a community of one mind and heart through a life of prayer (especially the liturgy), through an ongoing change of heart, and through Gospel poverty; and hence is called to build the spirit of brotherly love among people by inflaming the world with Gospel values, by bearing peace and charity, by instilling justice and dignity, by being sensitive and loyal to the Church, and by witnessing to the Gospel of Jesus in a public profession. All of this is done through the example and help of Mary, Francis, and the saints and in imitation of and in intimacy with Jesus Christ the Lord. Profession should take place during the Eucharist, because this special fullness of baptismal life which is sealed and confirmed emphasizes more clearly the task of witnessing to Jesus more effectively in the fraternity, in the Church and throughout the whole world. It is a ceremony showing forth the fact that now in a new way you give yourself to the Lord Jesus, and you are in a new way now sent forth by the Spirit for the work of the Lord. By profession you enter into a new relationship with the other members of your fraternity.
THE FRATERNITY
In committing yourself to walking in the way of Jesus, you also commit yourself to your brothers and sisters. God does not call you to Himself except as a brother and sister. We belong to the brotherhood, a community, a fraternity. We learn about Jesus from the community of faith; so also we see Francis' Way by the aid of his followers. Committing oneself to the Lord to
observe the Gospel cannot be done alone; we need the help and support and prayers of our brothers and sisters. While the fraternity may only meet monthly, the members should care for each other, pray with each other, share with each other, as Jesus lives among us.
In committing yourself to walking in the way of Jesus, you also commit yourself to your brothers and sisters. God does not call you to Himself except as a brother and sister. We belong to the brotherhood, a community, a fraternity. We learn about Jesus from the community of faith; so also we see Francis' Way by the aid of his followers. Committing oneself to the Lord to
observe the Gospel cannot be done alone; we need the help and support and prayers of our brothers and sisters. While the fraternity may only meet monthly, the members should care for each other, pray with each other, share with each other, as Jesus lives among us.
BEGINNING AGAIN
Having made your profession in the Secular Franciscan Order, you have completed a task and entered a new world, only to begin again. It is a door through which you go to enter a new
life, a life of the Gospel, a life of the Beatitudes. You will begin to walk with the Lord in His life
and in His way and in His truth. You may become discouraged or frustrated or as the Bible says, "in the desert," but believe more and more strongly that Jesus is walking with you. He tells you, "Do
not be afraid." As you respond to His call and as you walk with Him, you will find yourself serving your brothers and sisters. You will reach out to them.
life, a life of the Gospel, a life of the Beatitudes. You will begin to walk with the Lord in His life
and in His way and in His truth. You may become discouraged or frustrated or as the Bible says, "in the desert," but believe more and more strongly that Jesus is walking with you. He tells you, "Do
not be afraid." As you respond to His call and as you walk with Him, you will find yourself serving your brothers and sisters. You will reach out to them.
KNOWING THE LORD
Perhaps we should call attention to something you have read in Father Murray Bodo's book, '7he Journey and the Dream". He describes well how Francis carne to know Jesus, and knew
himself for the first time. Francis knew himself as the "Poverello," the Little Poor Man, whose strength was in the Lord. He experienced the Lord working in his life. And we need to do the same.
Knowing that the Lord is working in your life and in your fraternity, Jesus says: "I will be with you." Difficulties, resentments, striving for power, jealousies will crop up in your life and in
your brothers and sisters. But Jesus does not run away; He stays with us, patiently comforting, guiding, teaching, but also convicting us of sin and weakness. Jesus has a sense of urgency in the Gospel: "There is no time to lose. The life we live and the work we do is important for each of us and for His kingdom. Strive to develop a deep life of prayer.
Continue to set aside a period of time each day for prayer, both in praise of God and in intercession for your brothers and sisters. All of us are in need of the mercy of God. Strive also to minister to your brothers and sisters, both in the fraternity, in your families and among your friends. The Lord calls us to be peacemakers, and calls us to prayer to repair all the destruction which violence is causing in the world, as Francis did, and as Jesus did. Reach out beyond yourself! And finally, read the Word of the Lord every day, reflect on it, let it "make a home in you." Make your daily decisions on the basis of what Jesus said and did. Believe that the Spirit continually calls us together to form the Body of Jesus today.Good things we do not keep for ourselves; share with others about what the Lord is doing for you. It should only be natural to tell others about this new way of life you have accepted and invite them to join you. What the Lord is doing for you, He can do for them.
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himself for the first time. Francis knew himself as the "Poverello," the Little Poor Man, whose strength was in the Lord. He experienced the Lord working in his life. And we need to do the same.
Knowing that the Lord is working in your life and in your fraternity, Jesus says: "I will be with you." Difficulties, resentments, striving for power, jealousies will crop up in your life and in
your brothers and sisters. But Jesus does not run away; He stays with us, patiently comforting, guiding, teaching, but also convicting us of sin and weakness. Jesus has a sense of urgency in the Gospel: "There is no time to lose. The life we live and the work we do is important for each of us and for His kingdom. Strive to develop a deep life of prayer.
Continue to set aside a period of time each day for prayer, both in praise of God and in intercession for your brothers and sisters. All of us are in need of the mercy of God. Strive also to minister to your brothers and sisters, both in the fraternity, in your families and among your friends. The Lord calls us to be peacemakers, and calls us to prayer to repair all the destruction which violence is causing in the world, as Francis did, and as Jesus did. Reach out beyond yourself! And finally, read the Word of the Lord every day, reflect on it, let it "make a home in you." Make your daily decisions on the basis of what Jesus said and did. Believe that the Spirit continually calls us together to form the Body of Jesus today.Good things we do not keep for ourselves; share with others about what the Lord is doing for you. It should only be natural to tell others about this new way of life you have accepted and invite them to join you. What the Lord is doing for you, He can do for them.
