tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91745665894152695802024-03-05T11:05:20.198-06:00A Franciscan ViewA discussion of contemporary society from the view of today's Franciscans, religious and secular. Participants are requested to remain civil, courteous, and open-minded. Harsh comments are in- appropriate.Dennis R. Dowell, ofshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354607959021329829noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174566589415269580.post-3645132035915024382019-12-16T09:31:00.000-06:002019-12-16T09:31:57.227-06:00Reflections on the Rule--Chapter 2---Article 13<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><i>Chapter Two: <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><i>The Way of Life</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">13.</span></i><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> As
the Father sees in every person the features of his Son, the firstborn of many
brothers and sisters, so the Secular Franciscans with a gentle and courteous
spirit accept all people as a gift of the Lord and an image of Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk27378102"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">A
sense of community will make them joyful and ready to place themselves on an
equal basis with all people, especially with the lowly for whom they shall
strive to create conditions of life worthy of people redeemed by Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></i></a></div>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27378102;"></span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Whoa! You mean that we must treat <b>ALL</b>
people the same—as equal to me—with love, respect, and grace—no matter who they
are?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In our modern day, our culture is
centered around boundaries, fences, and exclusion--but that is not the way of
Gospel living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As our prime example, St.
Francis shows us how to live a fully Gospel life by including everyone and
everything in his circle of grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oftentimes, we hear or see the word <i>solidarity</i> in the speeches
and writings of our Pope and Bishops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What they mean with this word is a <i>unity or agreement of feeling or
action</i> with all people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Merriam-Webster.com definition limits this trait to those </span><i><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">individuals with a common interest; mutual
support within a group</span></i><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">,
but the gospel does not limit us in this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Article 18 of our General Constitutions explains our Franciscan take on
this idea:</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">2. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Rule 13</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> They should deepen the true foundations of universal kinship
and create a spirit of welcome and an atmosphere of fraternity everywhere. They
should firmly commit themselves to oppose every form of exploitation, discrimination,
and exclusion and against every attitude of indifference in relation to others.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Rule 13</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> They should work
together with movements which promote the building of fraternity among peoples:
they should be committed to "create worthy conditions of life" for
all and to work for the freedom of all people.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">As you can readily see, our action under <i>Gospel
to Life—Life to Gospel</i> is inclusive of all people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are challenged to exclude no one from our
circle of influence. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, we oppose
all discrimination & exclusion and work to incorporate all peoples into the
fraternity and freedom of our human family. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">So, we must lay aside our narrow thinking
promoted by our politics that encourages us to exclude those who are not like
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we must remember is that the
hierarchy of belief is Gospel first, followed by political activity that is for
the <i>common good</i>, not limited to any particular group or faction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The self-centered ways of modern society have
no room in Gospel living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In one of Richard Rohr, OFM’s daily meditations,
he quotes </span><em><span style="background: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Peter Block, John McKnight, and
Walter Brueggemann in their book</span></em> “<i><span style="background: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">An Other Kingdom: Departing the Consumer Culture</span></i><i><span style="background: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;">” (</span></i><span style="background: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;">John
Wiley and Sons, Inc.: 2016), xiv, xviii-xix).<i>:<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">We invite you to a
journey of departure from this consumer culture. We ask you to imagine an
alternative set of economic beliefs that have the capacity to evoke a culture
where poverty, violence, and shrinking well-being are not inevitable—a culture
in which the social order produces enough for all. . . . </span></i><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">This departure into
another kingdom might be closer to the reality of our nature and what works
best for our humanity. . . .</span></i><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Neighborliness means
that our well-being and what really matters is close at hand and can be locally
constructed or produced. </span></i><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Their contention is that our consumer culture is
one of limiting and exclusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are
proposing a different approach that will lead to a <i>post-consumer culture</i>
of neighborliness and inclusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
Father Rohr says, “I</span><em><span style="background: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">t sounds a lot like the Gospel to
me.”</span></em><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">As we delve deeper into the implications of
living in solidarity with all people, we will find that the church has a lot to
say in guiding us into a different, more inclusive lifestyle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In so doing, we follow in the footsteps of
St. Francis and, as faithful followers, become a counter-cultural force in
modern society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is how we rebuild
the Church and modern society.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">And so, we return to a
deeper consideration of Article 13 of our Rule.</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="01001001"><i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">1</span></sup></i></a><span style="mso-bookmark: 01001001;"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In the beginning, when God created
the heavens and the earth</span></i></span><i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/genesis/1#01001001-a"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">a</span></a></span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">—</span></i><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="01001024"><i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">24</span></sup></i></a><i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/genesis/1#01001024-k"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">k</span></a></span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Then God said: Let the earth bring forth every kind of
living creature: tame animals, crawling things, and every kind of wild animal.
And so it happened:<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="01001025"><sup>25</sup>God made every kind of wild
animal, every kind of tame animal, and every kind of thing that crawls on the
ground. God saw that it was good.</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="01001026"></a></span></i><span style="mso-bookmark: 01001026;"><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: 01001026;"><i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">26</span></sup></i></span><i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/genesis/1#01001026-l"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">l</span></a></span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Then God said: Let us make<a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/genesis/1#01001026-1"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">*</span></a> human
beings in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish
of the sea, the birds of the air, the tame animals, all the wild animals, and
all the creatures that crawl on the earth.</span></i><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">27</span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">God created mankind in his image;</span></i><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">in the image of God he created them;</span></i><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">male and female<a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/genesis/1#01001027-1"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">*</span></a> he
created them.</span></i><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">We are all familiar with
the story of creation, summarized in the preceding quotation from Genesis
1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often, we emphasize the words which
follow this text, <i>“…fill the earth and subdue it…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>We believe that this gives us license to
do what ever we want to “be in control” of the earth, its resources, and other
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of our cultural bias, we
believe that the first man and woman were white and, consequently, it follows
that we are just better that everyone and everything else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is not what it says!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The creation of man was the last thing in this
creation story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the implication of
Chapter 2 of Genesis is that everything else is created and THEN, AND ONLY THEN,
is a human placed in the Garden of Eden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, we are special because we have been created in the “image and
likeness of God;” but that doesn’t give us an special status.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, if we truly believe that we are
following St. Francis, it requires us to become and remain “<i>minore</i>” (smaller,
lesser, shorter, lower).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are not the
Big Man On Campus that we would like to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, Gospel living requires us to be the servant of all—equal in every
way to all others on the earth, no matter their status.</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Church reminds us,</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">225</span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"> It </span></i><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">means</span></i><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"> knowing the unity and true dignity of all men: everyone is
made in the image and likeness of God.</span></i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"> 50</span></sup></i></a><span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">358</span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"> God created everything for man,</span></i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"> 222</span></sup></i></a><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"> but man in turn was created to serve and love God and
to offer all creation back to him:</span></i><i><span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .7in; margin-right: .7in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">What
is it that is about to be created, that enjoys such honour? It is man that
great and wonderful living creature, more precious in the eyes of God than all
other creatures! For him the heavens and the earth, the sea and all the rest of
creation exist. God attached so much importance to his salvation that he did
not spare his own Son for the sake of man. Nor does he ever cease to work,
trying every possible means, until he has raised man up to himself and made him
sit at his right hand.</span></i><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><i><sup><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"> 223</span></sup></i></a></span><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">360</span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Because of its common origin the human race forms a
unity, for "from one ancestor [God] made all nations to inhabit the whole earth":</span></i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"> 226</span></sup></i></a><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .7in; margin-right: .7in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">O
wondrous vision, which makes us contemplate the human race in the unity of its
origin in God. . . in the unity of its nature, composed equally in all men of a
material body and a spiritual soul; in the unity of its immediate end and its
mission in the world; in the unity of its dwelling, the earth, whose benefits
all men, by right of nature, may use to sustain and develop life; in the unity
of its supernatural end: God himself, to whom all ought to tend; in the unity
of the means for attaining this end;. . . in the unity of the redemption
wrought by Christ for all.</span></i><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; text-decoration: none;"> </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">227</span></sup></i></a></span><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">361 </span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"This law of human solidarity and charity",</span></i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> 228</span></sup></i></a><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> without excluding the rich
variety of persons, cultures and peoples, assures us that all men are truly
brethren.</span></i><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk27377938"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Catechism of the Catholic Church</span></i></b></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27377938;"><b><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27377938;"></span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Unity, true dignity,
everyone, serve, love, offer back, raised man up, common origin, unity, composed
equally, human solidarity, and “…<i>assures us that all men are truly brethren</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What these words tell us is that each of is
not individually special or raised up, but we are all made from the same stock
and are equal in the sight of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Understanding this concept carries with it the obligation to treat “…others
as we ourselves would like to be treated.” <sup>(Matt. 22:39)</sup></span><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">As Franciscans, our “…</span><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">gentle and courteous spirit accept all people as
a gift of the Lord and an image of Christ.”</span></i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As much as one tries
you cannot find any words in any of this that create an exceptionalism for any individual
or group of people—not even apart from the entire created universe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what St. Francis shows us with his
example: <i>Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Brothers wind & air, Sister Water, Brother
Fire, Sister Mother Earth, those who grant pardon, those who endure sickness
& trial, and those who endure in peace.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His whole life was centered upon loving God and all of God’s creation with
his whole spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Consequently, the Church instructs us
in our obligation and duty to live the Gospel with that solidarity in mind:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">2212</span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> The fourth commandment illuminates other relationships
in society. In our brothers and sisters we see the children of our
parents; in our cousins, the descendants of our ancestors; in our fellow
citizens, the children of our country; in the baptized, the children of our
mother the Church; in every human person, a son or daughter of the One who
wants to be called "our Father." In this way our relationships with
our neighbors are recognized as personal in character. The neighbor is not a
"unit" in the human collective; he is "someone" who by his
known origins deserves particular attention and respect.</span></i><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">1702</span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> The divine image is present in every man. It shines forth in
the communion of persons, in the likeness of the unity of the divine persons
among themselves (cf. chapter two).</span></i><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">1935</span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"> The equality of men rests essentially on their dignity as
persons and the rights that flow from it:</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">Every form of social or cultural
discrimination in fundamental personal rights on the grounds of sex, race,
color, social conditions, language, or religion must be curbed and eradicated
as incompatible with God's design.</span></i><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; text-decoration: none;"> <sup>40</sup></span></i></a></span><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk27379059"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Catechism of the Catholic Church</span></i></b></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27379059;"><b><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk27379059;"></span>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">Our Rule
says, </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">A sense of community will make them
joyful and ready to place themselves on an equal basis with all people,
especially with the lowly for whom they shall strive to create conditions of
life worthy of people redeemed by Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">These words are the crux of the
matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter who the person is we
willingly treat all people the same way—with love, grace, and mercy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We even have an obligation to care more especially
for “…the lowly.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, we bend
over backwards to ensure that those without the gifts of others receive our special
care and devotion to help them understand that they too are worthy people
included in this great enterprise that we call life.</span><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Church has a lot to say about this
aspect of this aspect of our Gospel living:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">1934</span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Created in the image of
the one God and equally endowed with rational souls, all men have the same
nature and the same origin. Redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ, all are called
to participate in the same divine beatitude: all therefore enjoy an equal
dignity.</span></i><i><span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">1931</span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Respect for the human
person proceeds by way of respect for the principle that "everyone should
look upon his neighbor (without any exception) as 'another self,' above all
bearing in mind his life and the means necessary for living it with
dignity."</span></i><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"> 37</span></sup></i></a></span><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"> No legislation
could by itself do away with the fears, prejudices, and attitudes of pride and
selfishness which obstruct the establishment of truly fraternal societies. Such
behavior will cease only through the charity that finds in every man a
"neighbor," a brother.</span></i><i><span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">1936</span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"> On coming into the
world, man is not equipped with everything he needs for developing his bodily
and spiritual life. He needs others. Differences appear tied to age, physical
abilities, intellectual or moral aptitudes, the benefits derived from social
commerce, and the distribution of wealth.</span></i><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"> 41</span></sup></i></a></span><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"> The
"talents" are not distributed equally.</span></i><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"> 42</span></sup></i></a></span><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">1937</span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"> These differences belong to God's plan, who wills that each
receive what he needs from others, and that those endowed with particular
"talents" share the benefits with those who need them. These
differences encourage and often oblige persons to practice generosity, kindness,
and sharing of goods; they foster the mutual enrichment of cultures:</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
distribute the virtues quite diversely; I do not give all of them to each
person, but some to one, some to others.... I shall give principally charity to
one; justice to another; humility to this one, a living faith to that one....
And so I have given many gifts and graces, both spiritual and temporal, with
such diversity that I have not given everything to one single person, so that
you may be constrained to practice charity towards one another.... I have
willed that one should need another and that all should be my ministers in
distributing the graces and gifts they have received from me.</span></i><i><u><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"> 43</span></a></span></sup></u></i><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">1938</span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"> There exist also sinful inequalities that affect
millions of men and women. These are in open contradiction of the Gospel:</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">Their
equal dignity as persons demands that we strive for fairer and more humane
conditions. Excessive economic and social disparity between individuals and
peoples of the one human race is a source of scandal and militates against
social justice, equity, human dignity, as well as social and international
peace.</span></i><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; text-decoration: none;"> </span></i><i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">44</span></sup></i></a></span><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">1939</span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"> The principle of solidarity, also articulated in terms of
"friendship" or "social charity," is a direct demand of
human and Christian brotherhood.</span></i><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"> 45</span></sup></i></a></span><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">An
error, "today abundantly widespread, is disregard for the law of human
solidarity and charity, dictated and imposed both by our common origin and by
the equality in rational nature of all men, whatever nation they belong to.
This law is sealed by the sacrifice of redemption offered by Jesus Christ on the
altar of the Cross to his heavenly Father, on behalf of sinful humanity."</span></i><i><u><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"> 46</span></a></span></sup></u></i><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">1940</span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Solidarity is
manifested in the first place by the distribution of goods and remuneration for
work. It also presupposes the effort for a more just social order where
tensions are better able to be reduced and conflicts more readily settled by
negotiation.</span></i><i><span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">1941</span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Socio-economic problems can be
resolved only with the help of all the forms of solidarity: solidarity of the
poor among themselves, between rich and poor, of workers among themselves,
between employers and employees in a business, solidarity among nations and
peoples. International solidarity is a requirement of the moral order; world
peace depends in part upon this.</span></i><i><span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Catechism of the Catholic Church</span></i></b><b><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Recognizing that this citation is voluminous, it
must be recognized that the lack of equality and solidarity is, perhaps, the
greatest issue of our modern time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our cultural bias is in favor of the long-held
view of “the survival of the fittest.” I don’t believe that our Gospel values
allow us to think that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
capitalist shouts, “Mine, mine, mine.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Franciscan quietly says, “We are all in this together. How may I
help you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps, this is the
singularly most important distinction between modern life and Gospel living—a
counter-cultural way of living that places others needs before our own; being
lower, lesser, and smaller than everyone else; placing our lives in service to
others----following in the footsteps of St. Francis who mirrored Christ Jesus
in every way possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our challenge is
to do the same.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "brush script mt"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pace e bene<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />Dennis R. Dowell, ofshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354607959021329829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174566589415269580.post-43290918784758068252019-10-28T12:27:00.001-05:002019-10-29T10:35:48.548-05:00Reflections on the Rule - Chapter 2 - Article 12<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">12. Witnessing to the
good yet to come and obligated to acquire purity of heart because of the
vocation they have embraced, they should set themselves free to love God and
their brothers and sisters.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The third evangelical counsel to which we are devoted
is that of purity of heart. Throughout
our journey of reflecting upon our Rule of Life, we have already encountered
both obedience </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">(¶ 10</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">) and poverty </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">(¶ 11)</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">. We recognize
that these three ideals form us into the faithful followers of St. Francis that
we truly wish to become. As we continue
our journey, perhaps this counsel is the least understood of the three. So often, we believe that it is related
solely to our chastity in sexual matters alone.
But as we reflect more deeply, we find that it has much broader
meaning. Let’s begin this step of our
journey with a phrase from our Constitutions:<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">4. They should love
and practice purity of heart, the source of true fraternity. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">[General Constitutions; article 15]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The first thing we notice is that this paragraph
speaks of purity of heart, not just conjugal purity. As we come to understand what this means, we
are directed back to the two great commandments that are Jesus’ response to the
question of a Pharisee [scholar of the law]:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/22#48022034-1"></a> <sup>34</sup> When the Pharisees heard
that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together,<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="48022035"> <sup>35</sup>and
one of them [a scholar of the law]</a> tested him by asking,<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="48022036"> <sup>36</sup>“Teacher,</a> which commandment in the law is
the greatest?”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="48022037"> <sup>37</sup></a> He said to him, “You
shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and
with all your mind.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="48022038"> <sup>38</sup>This is the greatest and the
first commandment.</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="48022039"> <sup>39</sup></a> The second is
like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="48022040"> <sup>40</sup></a> The
whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">[ Matthew 22; New
American Bible]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">How does this relate to the concept of purity you may
ask? As we look at the definition of
purity, we see<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">1--the condition or
quality of being <a href="https://www.dictionary.com/browse/pure"><span style="color: black; text-decoration-line: none;">pure</span></a>;
freedom from anything that debases, contaminates, pollutes, etc.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> [Dictionary.com]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“…freedom from anything that debases, contaminates,
pollutes…” In other words, any thing
that diverts our attention from the utmost principles of our faith are counter
to the idea of purity. We must give our
full attention to the love of God and the love of others. We can’t be distracted by social standing,
material desires, positions of power, temptations of the flesh or spirit—a full
and complete voluntarily giving over our lives to the sole purpose of loving
God through our love of others in order to bring the Kingdom of God to this present
world. Benet Fonck, OFM puts it another
way:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It is placing limits
on our attitudes and actions so that we can work toward true liberty: that
moral stance that give our inner and outer self complete reign to achieve a
Christ-centered life and to give witness to the person and message of Jesus in
our everyday dealings. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">[Called to Follow Christ; Franciscan Press; 1997]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We put everything that detracts from this purpose
aside and intransigently focus our lives on this concept of love—love of God
with everything that we have and love of our neighbors (without exception).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Catechism sheds a little more light upon this
ideal:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.0pt;">2055 </span></i><i><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt;">…The
Decalogue must be interpreted in light of this twofold [love of God & love
of others] yet single commandment of love, the fullness of the Law:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt;">The commandments:
"You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal,
You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this
sentence: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no
wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.</span></i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><i><sup><span style="color: #0088cc; font-size: 12.0pt;"> 10</span></sup></i></a><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.0pt;">2067</span></i><i><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt;"> The
Ten Commandments state what is required in the love of God and love of
neighbor. The first three concern love of God, and the other seven love of
neighbor.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt;">…charity comprises the
two commandments to which the Lord related the whole Law and the prophets . . .
<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .2in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-para-margin-bottom: 1.2gd; mso-para-margin-left: .5in; mso-para-margin-right: .5in; mso-para-margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">2072</span></i><i><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Since they express man's fundamental duties
towards God and towards his neighbor, the Ten Commandments reveal, in their
primordial content, </span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">grave<span style="background: white;"> obligations. They are fundamentally immutable, and
they oblige always and everywhere. No one can dispense from them. The Ten
Commandments are engraved by God in the human heart.</span></span></i><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Thus, the Church clearly states that we have no option
but to live by these commandments. In so
doing, we develop a purity of heart and brings us closer to following our Lord
through following the steps of our Seraphic Father.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .2in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-para-margin-bottom: 1.2gd; mso-para-margin-left: .5in; mso-para-margin-right: .5in; mso-para-margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">2519 </span></i><i><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Purity of heart is the precondition of the vision of God.
Even now it enables us to see </span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">according to<span style="background: white;"> God, to accept others as "neighbors"; it
lets us perceive the human body - ours and our neighbor's - as a temple of the
Holy Spirit, a manifestation of divine beauty. </span></span></i><i><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">[Catechism of the Catholic Church]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In living this way, we gain a freedom that those who
live for possessions and power do not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .2in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-para-margin-bottom: 1.2gd; mso-para-margin-left: .5in; mso-para-margin-right: .5in; mso-para-margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">1738 </span></i><i><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Freedom is exercised in relationships between human beings.
Every human person, created in the image of God, has the natural right to be
recognized as a free and responsible being. All owe to each other this duty of
respect. The </span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">right to the exercise of freedom,<span style="background: white;">
especially in moral and religious matters, is an inalienable requirement of the
dignity of the human person… [</span></span></i><i><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Catechism of
the Catholic Church]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Typically, we have less issue with loving God,
although often we restrict our love of God to Sunday mornings. What we begin to understand is that this love
of God is without limit nor restriction.
It is a total, complete love that engulfs our entire life. We give, unreservedly, our love, attention, and
obedience to God’s Will. This effort is
very great and causes us to reflect upon our actions prayerfully each day: How have I been selfish today? How have I not listened to God in my
prayers? Do my possessions rule me, or
do I rule my possessions? As we attempt to see with the eyes of Francis, whom
do we perceive to be the “blessed” ones? </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">[Benet Fonck, Called
to Follow Christ; Franciscan Press; 1997]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Often, our understanding of loving others, although it
may intellectually spread to all peoples, is, rather, restricted to our
personal political beliefs. In other
words, we limit ourselves to whomever we believe are deserving of our love: our
friends, neighbors, and certain other people for whom we have a political
affinity. As always, Francis shows us
the way. If we are to follow in his
footsteps, we must significantly broaden our understanding of “others.” If he lived his life in the restrictive
definition of others that we frequently use, we wouldn’t have the Franciscan
order. It is because of his expansive
definition of others, that we exist at all.
Francis’ first recorded step of love of others was the embracing of the
leper. In his time, lepers were the
scourge of humanity—to be avoided at all cost.
Francis turned that belief upon it head and reached out in love to another
person who was in great distress and need.
This embrace led to his developing belief that all of God’s creation is
our brother and sister and deserving of our love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So, then, we ask ourselves, “What
does this mean for my own life?” If we truly are to call ourselves Franciscan,
we must ask ourselves, “Who is my leper? Who is so very repugnant to me that it
turns my stomach?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who is so undeserving
of love?” The answer to these questions and joyful embrace of the people
identified will guide us in our adherence to the command to “love our neighbor
as ourselves.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does this mean that we
can pick and choose between the various groups who are the needy of society?
Can we emphasize one group over another in our response to God’s great gift of
grace to us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can we say, “I don’t care
about them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This other group is more
important to me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>NO!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>The one thing that we mustn’t do is to
restrict our love of others to only those whom our own political group says are
worthy of care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, to be a true
follower of Francis, we must set aside all political inclinations in favor of
the expansive love of God and Others enumerated in Jesus’ explanation of the
Ten Commandments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who are your lepers?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who are your blessed ones?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How you answer these questions determine how
fully you have decided to follow Francis and our own Rule of Life and thus
define your purity of heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Just a final comment from the
Catechism:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2013 </span></i><i><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"All
Christians in any state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian
life and to the perfection of charity." All are called to holiness:
"Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”</span></i><i><u><sup><span style="color: #0088cc; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></sup></u></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In order to reach this perfection,
the faithful should use the strength dealt out to them by Christ's gift, so
that . . . doing the will of the Father in everything, they may wholeheartedly
devote themselves to the glory of God and to the service of their neighbor.
Thus, the holiness of the People of God will grow in fruitful abundance, as is clearly
shown in the history of the Church through the lives of so many saints. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And,
a final meditation on the three evangelical counsels from Philip Marquard,
O.F.M.:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A practical manner of
helping ourselves to live in the spirit of the three counsels is to pray the Angelus
each day. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the first invocation and response,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">V. The
Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.<br />
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;"> <i> Hail
Mary, full of grace,<br />
The Lord is with Thee;<br />
Blessed art thou among women,<br />
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.<br />
Holy Mary, Mother of God,<br />
Pray for us sinners,<br />
Now and at the hour of our death. Amen<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We think of Mary’s and
our own openness to God and detachment from things [spirit of poverty].<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the second invocation
and response,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">V. Behold
the handmaid of the Lord.<br />
R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;"> <i> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk23236940">Hail Mary, full of grace,<br />
The Lord is with Thee;<br />
Blessed art thou among women,<br />
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.<br />
Holy Mary, Mother of God,<br />
Pray for us sinners,<br />
Now and at the hour of our death. Amen<o:p></o:p></a></i></span></b></div>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23236940;"></span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We consider Mary’s [and
our own] dedication to doing God’ will [spirit of obedience). <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the third invocation
and response,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">V. And the
Word was made Flesh.<br />
R. And dwelt among us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hail Mary, full of grace,<br />
The Lord is with Thee;<br />
Blessed art thou among women,<br />
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.<br />
Holy Mary, Mother of God,<br />
Pray for us sinners,<br />
Now and at the hour of our death. Amen<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We reflect on Mary’s
purity of mind and heart and our own [spirit of chastity].<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then, in the prayer that
follows, we pray for God’s help:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">V. Pray
for us, O holy Mother of God.<br />
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">LET US
PRAY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our
hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the
message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of
His Resurrection. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.</span></b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Brush Script MT"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="right" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[P. 47; Called to
Live the Dynamic Power of the Gospel; Franciscan Press; 1998]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Brush Script MT"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pace
e bene<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br /></div>
Dennis R. Dowell, ofshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354607959021329829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174566589415269580.post-34476432877878609402019-10-14T09:23:00.000-05:002019-10-14T09:26:22.625-05:00Justice, Peace, & Integrity of Creation - PREFERENTIAL OPTION FOR THE POOR<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The preferential option for the poor is a
principle that we read about early in the Scriptures. Right away in Genesis 18: 1—15 we read of
Abraham & Sarah’s hospitality to the three visitors. In the chapters & books that follow the
Ten Commandments, we see a clear mandate presented: </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. --</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Exodus 22: 22
<span style="background: white; color: #001320;"></span></span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He executes justice for the orphan and the
widow and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing. </span></i><i><span style="color: #001320; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">—Deuteronomy 10:18; </span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You have been told, O mortal, what is good, and
what the LORD requires of you: Only to
do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God. --Micah 6:8).</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #001320; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our Bishops (USCCB) have a good listing of applicable scriptures
for this topic on their </span></i><a href="http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/option-for-the-poor-and-vulnerable.cfm"><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">website.</span></i></a></span><i><span style="color: #001320; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our own Franciscan tradition
begins with our Father St. Francis spending time in the local leper colony in
Assisi. Our brothers in the First Order
and Third Order Regular focus much of their ministry on the poor areas of our
cities, towns, and villages. Many of the
Third Order religious communities are devoted to serving the poor, homeless,
marginalized, hungry, and destitute.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our Rule states:</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">15. Let them individually and collectively be
in the forefront in promoting justice by the testimony of their human lives and
their courageous initiatives. Especially in the field of public life, they
should make definite choices in harmony with their faith.</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our General Constitutions
further clarify this responsibility:</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b><i><span style="color: #001320; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Article 22 </span></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #001320; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <i><span style="background: white;">1. </span></i></span><i><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Rule 15</span></i><i><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Secular
Franciscans should "be in the forefront ... in the field of public
life." They should collaborate as much as possible for the passage of just
laws and ordinances. </span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> 2. The
fraternities should engage themselves through courageous initiatives,
consistent with their Franciscan vocation and with the directives of the
Church, in the field of human development and justice. They should take clear positions whenever
human dignity is attacked by any form of oppression or indifference. They should offer their fraternal service to
the victims of injustice. </span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3. The renunciation of the use of violence,
characteristic of the followers of Francis, does not mean the renunciation of
action. However, the brothers and
sisters should take care that their interventions are always inspired by
Christian love. </span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our Bishops
(USCCB) in their 1986 Letter “Economic Justice for all” remind us of our
responsibilities to care for the poor with clear statements on the issue:</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">8.
…As a community of believers, we know that our faith is tested by the quality
of justice among us, that we can best measure our life together by how the poor
and the vulnerable are treated. This is not a new concern for us. It is as old
as the Hebrew prophets, as compelling as the Sermon on the Mount, and as
current as the powerful voice of Pope John Paul II defending the dignity of the
human person. </span></i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk20558491"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk20555502"><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">–Economic Justice for All; 1986</span></i></a></span><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">10.
As bishops, in proclaiming the Gospel for these times we also manage
institutions, balance budgets, and meet payrolls. In this we see the human face
of our economy. We feel the hurts and hopes of our people. We feel the pain of
our sisters and brothers who are poor, unemployed, homeless, living on the
edge. The poor and vulnerable are on our doorsteps, in our parishes, in our
service agencies, and in our shelters. We see too much hunger and injustice,
too much suffering and despair, both in our own country and around the world. </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">–Economic
Justice for All; 1986</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">16.
All members of society have a special obligation to the poor and vulnerable.
From the Scriptures and church teaching we learn that the justice of a society
is tested by the treatment of the poor. The justice that was the sign of God's
covenant with Israel was measured by how the poor and unprotected—the widow,
the orphan, and the stranger—were treated. The kingdom that Jesus proclaimed in
his word and ministry excludes no one. Throughout Israel's history and in early
Christianity, the poor are agents of God's transforming power. "The Spirit
of the Lord is upon me--therefore he has anointed me. He has sent me to bring
glad tidings to the poor" (Lk 4:18). This was Jesus' first public
utterance. Jesus takes the side of those most in need. In the Last Judgment, so
dramatically described in St. Matthew's Gospel, we are told that we will be
judged according to how we respond to the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the
stranger. As followers of Christ, we are challenged to make a fundamental
"option for the poor"—to speak for the voiceless, to defend the
defenseless, to assess lifestyles, policies, and social institutions in terms
of their impact on the poor. This "option for the poor" does not mean
pitting one group against another, but rather, strengthening the whole
community by assisting those who are most vulnerable. As Christians, we are
called to respond to the needs of all our brothers and sisters, but those with
the greatest needs require the greatest response. </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">–Economic
Justice for All; 1986</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">27….
No one may claim the name Christian and be comfortable in the face of the
hunger, homelessness, insecurity, and injustice found in this country and the
world. </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">–Economic Justice for All; 1986</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So, the question becomes, “How are we Secular
Franciscans in Central Illinois reaching out to the poor in our communities,
both individually and as fraternities?”
What are we doing to help the hungry, homeless, destitute, widows,
unborn, elderly, disabled and any other marginalized person in our
communities? We may not have a
ready-made situation like our brothers & sisters in Los Tres Compañeros
Region, but most of our town, cities, and counties have folks, our brothers
& sisters in Christ, who need our help.
So, what are we doing?</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "brush script mt"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Pace e bene<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Dennis R. Dowell, ofshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354607959021329829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174566589415269580.post-31386129721879077992019-10-14T09:17:00.000-05:002019-10-14T09:26:10.830-05:00Justice, Peace, & Integrity of Creation - PATRIOTISM<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">July 4, 2019 is the 243<sup>rd</sup>
anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the beginning of the United
States of America. Following that eventful
day, were seven more years of war with Great Britain as our forefathers
struggled for our independence from autocratic rule. It was not until 11 years later, on September
17, 1787, that the new Constitution was signed, thus beginning this experiment
of a democratic republic that we call the United States of America.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</w:wrap></v:imagedata></v:shape><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After completing the work on the
Constitution, Benjamin Franklin stepped outside and was asked, “Well, Dr.
Franklin, what kind of government do we have?”
His succinct answer is shown in the meme.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In today’s world, we continue to strive to
keep our Republic and despite all the rancor, we continue to have a system of
government that works fairly well. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mr. Churchill’s comments 160 years later help
bring perspective to our concerns about the direction of today’s government.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>‘Many forms of Government have been tried and will be tried in
this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or
all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of
Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to
time.…’</i></span></div>
<div align="right" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Winston S Churchill, 11 November
1947</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Many folks get all uptight about today’s
government and what happens or doesn’t happen.
We hear claims and counterclaims about who is the most patriotic group
in our country. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
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</w:wrap></v:imagedata></v:shape><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Patrick Henry brings focus to much of
our current considerations, as well. We are </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmm6v4JrS1-81bEE2AK3NsfwVaYUkGsOEF_soHAmSuE9twNulLipRtLqE_8DHokTdBNgHMT66TH9eaZyt2HJP1xfdr1RM-xHN76XYbHZeMSJCD3Djb3dxvNcsyNHckBB2nAyc09ZX8YpY/s1600/Patrick+Henry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="199" data-original-width="253" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmm6v4JrS1-81bEE2AK3NsfwVaYUkGsOEF_soHAmSuE9twNulLipRtLqE_8DHokTdBNgHMT66TH9eaZyt2HJP1xfdr1RM-xHN76XYbHZeMSJCD3Djb3dxvNcsyNHckBB2nAyc09ZX8YpY/s200/Patrick+Henry.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">reminded of the true nature of our
governmental system as Mr. Lincoln so eloquently said at the battlefield in
Gettysburg,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It is rather for us to be here
dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we
take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full
measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have
died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom,
and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not
perish from the earth."</span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We who claim to be Franciscan, take a higher
view of all this falderol in today’s atmosphere. Articles 13-15 of our Rule explains where our
focus should lie. Articles 18-20, and
Article 22 of our Constitutions further clarify where our efforts should be
concentrated. Simply put, even though we
participate in our democratic processes, we must keep in the forefront of our
mind that “…[we] should collaborate as much as possible for the passage of just
laws and ordinances.” So, we have an
obligation to participate in our governmental systems, but our focus is outward
to those who are less fortunate, both materially as well as spiritually. Nearly a year ago, we wrote of our
responsibility as Catholic Christians for participating in our governmental
processes. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Although we are in this world, our motto
remains <i>“Gospel to Life—Life to Gospel.”
</i>When we do this, we don’t allow ourselves to get caught up in the
trivial disagreements that prevail in our current day. We focus on the “Common Good”—what is right
for all people—ALL people—not just those who happen to agree with us. We set
aside the contrary differences of political acrimony and work for the good of
all—our citizens, the immigrants, the poor, the homeless, the ill, the unborn, the
refugees, the imprisoned, the marginalized, and so on. So, our patriotic duty lies in how we work
for the common good. We don’t allow ourselves
to become bound by partisan differences or ideologies. Our focus remains helping and comforting all
those who come to us with their needs.
And, we do it with Franciscan Joy.
We can do no less to fulfill our profession as Franciscans. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "brush script mt"; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 107%; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Pace e bene</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "quot"; font-size: 21.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span></span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span>Dennis R. Dowell, ofshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354607959021329829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174566589415269580.post-1723507997752539442019-10-14T09:06:00.000-05:002019-10-14T09:25:56.191-05:00Justice, Peace, & Integrity of Creation - TRUTH<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“What
is Truth?”—Pontius Pilate </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(John
18: 38)</span></i></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Truth
is not Truth.”—Rudy Giuliani </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(Meet
the Press, August 2018)</span></i></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Well, what are we to think about this? I know that I am really disturbed by the
fluidity of truth in our world today. So,
I ask the question, “Is there really some “truth” that we can believe is
actually true?” In researching to write
this article, I became aware that the word “truth” has many philosophical and
semantic meanings, almost as confusing as trying to understand the fluidity of
rational response to situations today.
But the question still goes begging for an answer: “What is Truth?”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h1 style="line-height: 110%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In an article entitled, “</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 110%;">If
Truth Isn’t Truth, What Is It? </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 110%;">Truth is correspondence to
reality, despite Rudy Giuliani and Jordan Peterson</span></i><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 110%;">,”</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Paul Thagard, PhD, writes</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 110%;">
that “…science finds out about the world…” and, therefore, tells us about what
is true. Further, he continues that
there are three kinds of evidence supporting this view. </span></span></span></h1>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<ul>
<li><div style="line-height: 110%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #2c2d30; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%;">scientific experiments are remarkably resistant to the desires and efforts of scientist;</span></span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: 110%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #2c2d30; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%;">science is unusual compared to other social enterprises such as religion and fashion design in having a remarkable amount of agreement among its practitioners; and,</span></span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: 110%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #2c2d30; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%;">science has been dramatically successful in spawning technology…[which] requires understanding the world’s physical mechanisms that are largely independent of mind and society. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Certainly, that really clarifies things,
doesn’t it? Well, at least for the
physical world it does; but, what about the “not so physical” world? </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As we experience our lives in today’s society,
we keep hearing words like “fake news,” the Giuliani quote, and other
statements that don’t coincide with the reality that we see before us. All of this would lead us to believe that
truth is more or less pliable and fluid—St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XIII
have labeled this relativism—what ever you believe is true and right—everything
depends upon context. But for us who
claim to be Franciscan Christian, this just doesn’t sound right—it has a false
ring to our ears. We know that something
is inherently wrong with this approach to life; and, that comes from our solid
belief in the simple words of Jesus, “Everyone on the side of truth, listens to
me.” </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(John
18: 37) </span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and “I am the way the truth and the
life.” </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(John
14:6)</span></i></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So, in light of our belief in the words and
life of Jesus, we believe in the concept of “objective truth,”—that “<span style="background: white; color: #2f2f2f;">there is an objective truth. It's </span><em><span style="color: #2f2f2f;">one</span></em><span style="background: white; color: #2f2f2f;"> truth that's the same for all people.
This is the common-sense view. It means there is one answer per question.” </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #2f2f2f; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%;">(Elliot Temple, FEB 2010, Fallible Ideas Blog.) </span></i><span style="background: white; color: #2f2f2f; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%;">What this means for us is contained in the
second sentence—"truth is the same for all people.” In the realm of science this is easily
proven—gravity, H<sub>2</sub>O, 2+2=4.
In the world of personal interaction, faith, and philosophy, such truth
is not as readily apparent, but it does exist for the same reason as the
scientific truth does—it is real and agreed upon, through observation and
testing by a great many people—it’s
wrong to kill others, it’s wrong to steal from others, it’s right to
care for others. We call these sorts of
agreement—both physical and philosophical—universal knowledge. Knowing that there is a universal knowledge
not dependent upon context is comforting and provides a level of certitude. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #2f2f2f; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #2f2f2f; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%;">But, can we
know for certain what is true? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I accept that we never know what the truth
is for sure. We can be mistaken. But to be mistaken, there [must] be an
objective truth! The idea of a mistake is that there is a truth and we have it
wrong.” </i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #2f2f2f; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%;">(Elliot Temple,
FEB 2010, Fallible Ideas Blog.) </span></i></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 110%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #2f2f2f; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></i></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What
does all of this have to do with being a Franciscan, you may ask? Actually, it’s quite simple. We have the advantage of 2,000 years (</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">if you count the Old Testament—4,000
years</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">) of the Church discussing, formulating,
testing, and proving that the tenents of God explained through the inspired
texts of the Bible are true and right.
We have the advantage of witnessing through the history of the Church,
hundreds, if not thousands, of examples of these tenets working rightly. Consequently, we know that the ideas,
philosophies, instructions, and examples of our Christian faith are universal
knowledge and, therefore, are objective truth.
We know that we are right to follow the principles that are contained in
the Catechism—in our Franciscan Rule. We
know that, despite all of the modern efforts to undermine what truth is, those
who accept relativism are just, plain wrong.
Our moral life is not dependent upon opinion. Certain actions and ways of behaving are not
only inappropriate, but sinful. We know
that the need for getting set “right with the Lord” is our way of Life. We know that we have a measuring stick that
is true and correct.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And
this is why St. Francis calls us to be Brothers & Sister of Penance. Our human predilection naturally goes against
the commands of God (Original Sin), but yet begs us to set things right through
contrition and penance. We know that if
we follow the examples of St. Francis and adhere to the principles of
self-sacrificing love as outlined in Matthew 25, we are headed in the right
direction. We know that our Rule of Life
directs us to the true way to live our lives and that the Franciscan charism of
helping the poor (</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">in
both physical and spiritual ways</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">) is just plain the
right thing to do. Contrary to the
philosophy of today’s relativistic world, we are reassured that our chosen way
of life is good and right and true. So,
we carry on with contemplation, prayer and self-sacrificing service, just as
St. Francis asks us to do. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "brush script mt"; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 107%; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Pace e bene</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "quot"; font-size: 21.33px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span>Dennis R. Dowell, ofshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354607959021329829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174566589415269580.post-71398083076191850672019-07-26T09:14:00.001-05:002019-10-14T09:25:01.310-05:00Reflections on the Rule - Chapter 2 - Article 11<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><i>Chapter Two: </i></b></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><i>The Way of Life</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b></b><i></i><br /></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">11.
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk1456837">Trusting the Father, Christ chose for Himself and His
mother a poor and humble life, even though He valued created things attentively
and lovingly. </a>Let the Secular Franciscans seek a proper spirit of
detachment from temporal goods by simplifying their own material needs. Let
them be mindful that according to the gospel they are <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk1460073">stewards
of the goods received for the benefit of God’s children.</a></span></i></div>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk1460073;"></span>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk1460597"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thus, in the spirit of the Beatitudes, and as pilgrims
and strangers on their way to the home of the Father, they should strive to
purify their hearts from every tendency and yearning for possession and power.</span></i></a></div>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk1460597;"></span>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Now let us turn our
attention to the Gospel (Evangelical) Counsel of poverty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are all aware that St. Francis has been
called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">il Poverello</i> and is reputed to
have considered Lady Poverty his “fair maiden” in his quest as a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Troubadour of the Great King.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the important thing to remember is that
even with his common reputation of extreme poverty, </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Saint Francis of Assisi's concern with poverty was secondary in his
life and stemmed from his utter reliance on and love for God</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> In the encounter with
the leper, we can see right away that for St. Francis his reason for embracing
poverty was not poverty itself, but that with no resources of your own, you are
“totally dependent on God.”</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;"> (Augustine Thompson, O.P.; CNA, 21 MAR 2013) </span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So, for Francis poverty was also about going to the
place of social poverty and serving, accepting that one might himself be
rendered unfit to rejoin respectable society…In this way it was also for him a
following of the poor and humble Christ...the poverty of Christ is a footstep
to follow</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">.” </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;">(Charles Sammons, OFM Cap; CNA 21 MAR 2013.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">As with much of St.
Francis’ example, poverty is a means to an end—the complete and total trust in
and subservience to God and, through that humbling nature, a service to others
who are less fortunate whether economically or spiritually.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Naturally, in today’s
consumerist society, our approach to life is just as radical as it was in St.
Francis’ time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again, we see the
message of our Catholic Christian faith as counter-cultural—diametrically
opposed to the accepted patterns of today’s world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be faithful Franciscans, we are radically
changed by our Profession and find ways to do things “differently” from
everyone else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The question always
arises, “How do we do that?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s examine
how our Franciscan documents and our Catechism help inform our approach to this
idea of radical poverty and how it is to be lived out today.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Article 15 of our
Constitutions amplifies the concepts found in article 11 of our Rule of Life:</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">1. </span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Rule 11</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Secular Franciscans
should pledge themselves to live the spirit of the Beatitudes and, in a special
way, the spirit of poverty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Evangelical poverty demonstrates confidence
in the Father,</b> creates interior freedom, and disposes them to promote a
more just distribution of wealth. </span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.<span style="color: black;"> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk1457822">Secular Franciscans</a></span></b><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk1457822;">, who must provide for their own families and
serve society by means of their work and material goods<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">, have a particular manner of living evangelical poverty.</b> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To understand and achieve it requires a strong
personal commitment and <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk1458295">the stimulation of the fraternity
in prayer and dialogue, communal review of life, and attentiveness to the
instructions of the Church, and the demands of society. </a></span></span></i></div>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk1458295;"></span>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk1458141"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">. Secular Franciscans
should pledge themselves to reduce their own personal needs so as to be better
able to share spiritual and material goods with their brothers and sisters,
especially those most in need</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></a>They
should give thanks to God for the goods they have received, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">using them as good stewards and not as
owners.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They should take a firm
position against consumerism and against ideologies and practices which prefer
riches over human and religious values, and which permit the exploitation of
the human person. </span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4. They should
love and practice purity of heart, the source of true fraternity.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">(EMPHASIS IS THE
AUTHOR’S)</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Some of what we have
learned about St. Francis’ approach to poverty—completely trusting God and
service to others—is clearly contained within our Constitution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The phrases that have been highlighted in the
passages above point to this direction and provide for us a clearer
understanding of what our Gospel Poverty is all about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his Encyclical <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Laudato Si’, </i>Pope Francis spends much time on these ideas of right
relationship with the temporal order and material goods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the Pope’s personal example comes right
from St. Francis: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“if there's anything
about Pope Francis' entire life, it's his attempt to put himself at the service
of others, and that expresses itself in his simplicity of life too.” </i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">(Augustine Thompson,
O.P.; CNA, 21 MAR 2013</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">).</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">So, with this
understanding of what Franciscan Gospel poverty is all about, let’s examine the
separate elements of Article 11 and delve into a little more detail for each of
the major points.</span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .2in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-para-margin-bottom: 1.2gd; mso-para-margin-left: .5in; mso-para-margin-right: .5in; mso-para-margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Trusting the Father,
Christ chose for Himself and His mother a poor and humble life, even though He
valued created things attentively and lovingly.</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The very first element
of this Article are those three words—trusting the Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With this very recognition at the beginning,
we clearly understand, as did Francis, that for this way of living to work, we
must fully place ourselves into the complete care of our Father in heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must give over every single facet of our
lives to Him and to His service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Remember, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“living evangelical
poverty…demonstrates confidence in the Father.”</i> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">(GC 15.1).</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without this level of trust, we will find it
difficult, if not impossible to achieve the standard set by Christ’s and St.
Francis’ example.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In
humbling himself, [Jesus] has given us an example to imitate, through his
prayer he draws us to pray, and by his poverty he calls us to accept freely the
privation and persecutions that may come our way. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(CCC
520)</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">St. Francis and Pope
Francis both understand this important point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Prayer is the basis for our being able to give our lives fully to God
and from that relationship, we can embrace the poverty that follows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again, this poverty is one in which we
recognize the overall importance of God in our lives and fully understand how
much we rely on His gifts for our sustenance—both physical and spiritual—how
everything is to be used for the common good.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
seventh commandment…requires respect for the universal destination of goods and
respect for the right to private property. Christian life strives to order this
world's goods to God and to fraternal charity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(CCC 2401)</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">As Secular
Franciscans, this doesn’t mean that we are required to divest ourselves of all
our possessions, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">[we] who must provide
for [our] own families and serve society by means of their work and material
goods<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">, </b>have a particular manner of
living evangelical poverty</i>.” </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">(GC 15.2.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fr. Benet A. Fonck, OFM, calls this living out our Rule a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“…detachment and simple living for the sake of
the kingdom of God…”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;">(Called to Proclaim
Christ, Franciscan Press; 1998)</span></i></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .2in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-para-margin-bottom: 1.2gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0in; mso-para-margin-right: 0in; mso-para-margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Achievement of this
level of living “...<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">requires a strong
personal commitment and the stimulation of the fraternity in prayer and
dialogue, communal review of life, and attentiveness to the instructions of the
Church, and the demands of society.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">(GC 15.2) </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">How else can one muster the required level of personal commitment
without recourse to prayer and the support of the rest of the Fraternity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is only through our collaboration and
dialogue with like-minded persons that we can fully understand what this commitment
means and how to live it in our own lives. </span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .2in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-para-margin-bottom: 1.2gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0in; mso-para-margin-right: 0in; mso-para-margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Acceptance of this
idea leads to the second part of Article 11:</span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .2in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-para-margin-bottom: 1.2gd; mso-para-margin-left: .5in; mso-para-margin-right: .5in; mso-para-margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Secular Franciscans
should pledge themselves to reduce their own personal needs so as to be better
able to share spiritual and material goods with their brothers and sisters,
especially those most in need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></b></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .2in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-para-margin-bottom: 1.2gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0in; mso-para-margin-right: 0in; mso-para-margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In living this way, we
recognize the importance of </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">WHO</span></i></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> owns all the material and spiritual goods of the universe; and,
we accept that our blessings are indeed gifts from God aimed at helping us to serve
others, especially the most needy and marginalized people in our society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both Jesus and St. Francis (following in his
master’s footsteps) set this example for us:</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jesus shares the life of the poor, from the cradle to
the cross; he experiences hunger, thirst and privation. Jesus identifies
himself with the poor of every kind and makes active love toward them the
condition for entering his kingdom.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">(CCC 544).</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">As we understand more
about the Franciscan poverty, we learn to accept that we don’t need as many
material goods to accomplish our mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We understand and recognize that we are merely “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">stewards of the goods received for the benefit of God’s children.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fr. James Meyer, O.F.M. outlined this detachment in his “Program
of Tertiary Economics.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s still valid
today:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>use gifts leased to us by God in
a spirit of justice, moderation, and generosity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Practically speaking, this three-fold
principle can take on [this not exhaustive list of] modern-day applications:</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Making one’s
life-style more uncluttered by listing possessions under three categories:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>needs, conveniences, luxuries; begin to
eliminate luxuries, then work on non-vital conveniences.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Clean out closets and
knick-knacks regularly and give unused or unneeded items to needy people and
institutions.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Change eating habits
to decrease amounts of high-cholesterol, high-triglyceride and high-fat foods
which contribute to ill health, and to eliminate foodstuffs whose consumption
perpetuates hunger in other parts of the world.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Use more fresh foods
and less processed foods in order to decrease the consumption of unnecessary
additives, to reduce the grip of over-pricing, and to provide a balanced
program of profit-sharing for producer and farmer.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Reduce consumption of
energy (especially gasoline and electricity).</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Boycott products
produced by, or resulting in, injustice.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Buy products that aid
human dignity and a just environment (both products made in the U.S.A. and in
foreign countries).</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Remove investments
from financial institutions that support oppressive or discriminatory
governments or institutions.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Place investments in
institutions that build up minority situations and work toward just and humane
causes.</span></i></div>
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<div align="right" style="margin-bottom: .2in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-para-margin-bottom: 1.2gd; mso-para-margin-left: .5in; mso-para-margin-right: .5in; mso-para-margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;">(Benet A. Fonck, O.F.M.; Called to Proclaim Christ,
Franciscan Press; 1998)</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In the end, what
really matters is how we use the goods and spiritual life that we have been
given in service to others.</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .2in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-para-margin-bottom: 1.2gd; mso-para-margin-left: .5in; mso-para-margin-right: .5in; mso-para-margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In
economic matters, respect for human dignity requires the practice of the virtue
of temperance, so as to moderate attachment to this world's goods; the practice
of the virtue of justice, to preserve our neighbor's rights and render him what
is his due; and the practice of solidarity, in accordance with the golden rule
and in keeping with the generosity of the Lord, who "though he was rich,
yet for your sake . . . became poor so that by his poverty, you might become
rich</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(CCC 2407). </span></i></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .2in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-para-margin-bottom: 1.2gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0in; mso-para-margin-right: 0in; mso-para-margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">We, Franciscans,
recognize that our “richness” is exemplified through our service to the less
fortunate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We understand that these
unfortunate people are not only to those who are materially poor and without
resources, but also to those who are spiritually poor and without belief—that
our love “…e<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">xtends not only to material
poverty but also to the many forms of cultural and religious poverty. </i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">(CCC 2444.) </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Through our witness we reach out to “all who labor and are
burdened” and “give [them] rest.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">(NAB Matt. 11: 28--30</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .2in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-para-margin-bottom: 1.2gd; mso-para-margin-left: .5in; mso-para-margin-right: .5in; mso-para-margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thus, in the spirit of the Beatitudes, and as pilgrims
and strangers on their way to the home of the Father, they should strive to
purify their hearts from every tendency and yearning for possession and power.</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .2in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-para-margin-bottom: 1.2gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0in; mso-para-margin-right: 0in; mso-para-margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yes, we are on a
journey—a journey back home!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The quality
of that journey is dependent upon how we relate to others—how we place
ourselves secondary to the needs of others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We improve our chances for a good journey as we recognize and understand
that our hearts need to be purified from the yearning for possession of goods
and amassing great power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .2in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-para-margin-bottom: 1.2gd; mso-para-margin-left: .5in; mso-para-margin-right: .5in; mso-para-margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Beatitudes depict the countenance of Jesus Christ and portray his charity. They
express the vocation of the faithful associated with the glory of his Passion
and</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Resurrection;
they shed light on the actions and attitudes characteristic of the Christian
life; they are the paradoxical promises that sustain hope in the midst of
tribulations; they proclaim the blessings and rewards already secured, however dimly,
for Christ's disciples; they have begun in the lives of the Virgin Mary and all
the saints.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(CCC
1717)</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Our Gospel poverty is
inherently found in our living the Beatitudes, following the examples of Jesus
and St. Francis, and in the pureness of our heart in rejecting the glories and
possessions of this world for those of the next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do we humble ourselves?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do we treat others?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do we strive to express our poverty and
love through the service of all others—many of who are less fortunate in so
many ways?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The answer to these questions
lies in the longstanding tradition of the Church:</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .2in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-para-margin-bottom: 1.2gd; mso-para-margin-left: .5in; mso-para-margin-right: .5in; mso-para-margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Church's love for the poor . . . is a part of her constant tradition."
This love is inspired by the Gospel of the Beatitudes, of the poverty of Jesus,
and of his concern for the poor. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love
for the poor is even one of the motives for the duty of working so as to
"be able to give to those in need."<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk1460222"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></a></span></i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk1460222;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(CCC
2444)</span></i></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk1460222;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></i></span></div>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk1460222;"></span>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">And so, we who profess
to be Franciscan understand that our obligation to accept Gospel poverty places
upon us a burden of serving others through a right recognition of how goods are
gifts from God and, thus, belong to all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Therefore, we must share our blessings with those who are less fortunate
in both material and spiritual ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
go forth with joy and spread the peace of God to all whom we meet through our
service to them.</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .2in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-para-margin-bottom: 1.2gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0in; mso-para-margin-right: 0in; mso-para-margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "brush script mt"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pace e bene.</span></i></b></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Dennis R. Dowell, ofshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354607959021329829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174566589415269580.post-25915788082711051722019-02-13T10:39:00.004-06:002019-10-14T09:25:12.411-05:00Justice, Peace, & Integrity of Creation - ABRAHAM'S VISITORS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</w:wrap></v:imagedata></v:shape><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="01018002"></a><span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">2</span></i></b></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">Looking up, [Abraham] saw three men standing near him. When he saw
them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them; and bowing to the
ground</span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">,</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="01018003"><b><span style="border-image: none; border: 1pt windowtext; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">3</span></b><span style="border-image: none; border: 1pt windowtext; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">he said: “Sir,</span></a> if it please you, do not go on past your
servant. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="01018004"><b><span style="border-image: none; border: 1pt windowtext; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">4</span></b><span style="border-image: none; border: 1pt windowtext; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet, and then
rest under the tree. </span></a><b><span style="border-image: none; border: 1pt windowtext; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">5</span></b><span style="border-image: none; border: 1pt windowtext; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">Now that you have come to your servant, let me bring you a little
food, that you may refresh yourselves; and afterward you may go on your way.”
“Very well,” they replied, “do as you have said.” </span></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="01018006"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="01018005"></a><span style="margin: 0px;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">6</span></i></b></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">Abraham hurried into the tent
to Sarah and said, “Quick, three measures</span></i></span><span style="margin: 0px;"></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> of bran flour! Knead it
and make bread.” <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="01018007"><b><span style="border-image: none; border: 1pt windowtext; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">7</span></b><span style="border-image: none; border: 1pt windowtext; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">He ran to the herd, picked out a tender, choice calf, and gave it
to a servant, who quickly prepared it. </span></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="01018008"><b><span style="border-image: none; border: 1pt windowtext; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">8</span></b><span style="border-image: none; border: 1pt windowtext; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">Then he got some curds</span></a> and milk, as
well as the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them, waiting on
them under the tree while they ate. </span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">---Genesis 18</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">This
story of Abraham’s visitors is the first example of hospitality in the Bible
and sets the tone for all believers for the rest of time.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Hospitality is a key element in our ‘love of
neighbor’ that Jesus says is the second commandment. Hospitality is “the
friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or
strangers.” <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">(on-line
dictionary)</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Throughout
the Bible, we see many references to hospitality:</span></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">33</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">When an alien resides with you in your land, do not mistreat such
a one.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> <span style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><b><span style="border-image: none; border: 1pt windowtext; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">34</span></b><span style="border-image: none; border: 1pt windowtext; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">You shall treat the alien who resides with you
no differently than the natives born among you; you shall love the alien as
yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt.</span></span> <span style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I, the L<span style="border-image: none; border: 1pt windowtext; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">ORD</span>, am your God. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk533581970">(</a></span></span></i><span style="margin: 0px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Leviticus 19)</span></i></span></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"></span>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">22</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">You shall have but one rule, for alien and native-born alike.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> <span style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I, the L<span style="border-image: none; border: 1pt windowtext; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">ORD</span>, am your God.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>(</span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Leviticus 24)</span></i></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">49</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">There will be one law</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> for the native and for the alien residing among
you.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk533582004"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">(Exodus 12)</span></i></a><span style="margin: 0px;"></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span></i></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">9</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">You shall not oppress a resident alien; you well know how it feels
to be an alien, since you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">(Exodus 23)</span></i></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">2</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly
entertained angels.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">(Hebrews 13)</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Now, skipping down a few hundred
years, our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Declaration of Independence</i>
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">(1776)</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> holds these words</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We hold these truths to
be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and
the pursuit of Happiness.</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Although there has been some
debate about the word “men” in this text, when one considers the sources and
times when it was written, we understand that it means “humanity,” thus
including all people who inhabit the earth.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">In
describing The New Colossus, the Mother of Exiles, Emma Lazarus writes these
words as the last few lines of this memorable poem:</span></div>
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<v:shape id="Picture_x0020_16" o:spid="_x0000_s2051" style="height: 93pt; left: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-top: 9.95pt; mso-position-horizontal-relative: margin; mso-position-horizontal: left; mso-position-vertical-relative: text; mso-position-vertical: absolute; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 0; mso-wrap-distance-left: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top: 0; mso-wrap-style: square; position: absolute; text-align: left; visibility: visible; width: 87.75pt; z-index: 251663360;" type="#_x0000_t75">
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</w:wrap></v:imagedata></v:shape><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">“Give me your tired, your poor,
</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">Your
huddled masses yearning to breathe free, </span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">The
wretched refuse of your teeming shore. </span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">Send
these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">For
decades, this poem inscribed on the Statue of Liberty has welcomed countless
strangers, perhaps even your ancestors, into the United States.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In keeping with the hospitality of Abraham,
the United States has been a welcoming nation opening our arms to the refugees
from oppression, fear, and death and those seeking a better economic life.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The
USCCB writes,</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Although
Catholic theology has always promoted human rights rooted in natural law and
God's revelation, it was the encyclical <em><span style="border: 1pt; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">Rerum Novarum (On the Condition of Labor)</span></em> in 1891 that
developed a systematic presentation of principles of the rights and
responsibilities of people. <em><span style="border: 1pt; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">Rerum Novarum</span></em> commented on the situation of
immigrants; in later documents, popes and bishops' conferences have synthesized
the Catholic theological tradition to articulate three basic principles on
immigration. </span></i></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span></span><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_15" o:spid="_x0000_s2050" style="height: 67.2pt; left: 0; margin-left: 426pt; margin-top: .35pt; mso-height-percent: 0; mso-height-percent: 0; mso-height-relative: margin; mso-position-horizontal-relative: text; mso-position-horizontal: absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative: text; mso-position-vertical: absolute; mso-width-percent: 0; mso-width-percent: 0; mso-width-relative: margin; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 0; mso-wrap-distance-left: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top: 0; mso-wrap-style: square; position: absolute; text-align: left; visibility: visible; width: 89.25pt; z-index: 251664384;" type="#_x0000_t75">
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</w:wrap></v:imagedata></v:shape><span style="margin: 0px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">First Principle: People have
the right to migrate to sustain their lives and the lives of their families.</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 48px 10.66px 96px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">Second Principle: A country has the right to regulate its borders
and to control immigration.</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 48px 10.66px 96px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">Third
Principle: A country must regulate its borders with justice and mercy.</span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> </span></i><b><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;"></span></b></div>
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<div align="right" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 48px 10.66px 96px; text-align: right;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Read the full document on the </span></i><span style="margin: 0px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/immigration/catholic-teaching-on-immigration-and-the-movement-of-peoples.cfm"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "calibri";">Bishops’
website</span></a></span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">All of this brings us around to our Franciscan
charism.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Article 13 of our Rule states, </span></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">As the Father sees in every person the
features of his Son, the firstborn of many brothers and sisters, so the Secular
Franciscans with a gentle and courteous spirit accept all people as a gift of
the Lord and an image of Christ.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 48px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">A sense of community will make them joyful
and ready to place themselves on an equal basis with all people, especially
with the lowly for whom they shall strive to create conditions of life worthy
of people redeemed by Christ.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;"></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">In
his piece from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">#FriarFriday—Welcoming the
Stranger</i> (23 FEB 2018) Christian Seno writes</span></div>
<br />
<h1 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 48px 10.66px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: 1pt; color: #333333; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">Just
as Francis’ embrace of the leper turned what seemed bitter “into sweetness of
soul and body,” the embrace of our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters
will turn the bitterness of xenophobia and fear into the sweetness of justice
and peace. For in welcoming and embracing those whom we consider the stranger
and the least among us, we will be welcoming and embracing [Jesus].</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">
</span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "&quot" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;"></span></i></h1>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 48px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;">Pope Francis encourages us “</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="border: 1pt; color: #2ea3f2; font-family: "&quot" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://www.scala-mss.net/en/news/forum_migrazione2017.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2ea3f2; margin: 0px;">to overcome indifference and to
counter fears with a generous approach of welcoming those who knock at our
doors</span></a></span></u></i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;">.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">In the debate of today’s environment, we are
challenged to remember these important principles as we formulate and express
our views.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We must not cooperate with
the xenophobic paranoia that has clutched much of our population in its
grasp.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We remember that we have brother
and sister Franciscans all over the globe:<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>66 established fraternities from Angola to Ukraine and 46 emerging
fraternities from Albania to Uganda. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">(CIOFS, 2014) </span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">[<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">NOTE:
</i></b>Clearly, in the last four years, these numbers have increased.]<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">So, as Franciscans, we continue to pray for our
brothers and sisters throughout the world who find themselves in desperate
situations.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We contribute to
organizations like Catholic Relief Services.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>We offer our friendship and services to new members of our community—all
who have moved whether from another state or country are the “stranger in our
midst” and could be/are Christ. We advocate for reasonable rules for safe
immigration into our country from other lands. We remember that the Holy Family
were migrants.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We understand that, if we
have moved during our lifetime, we were migrants and remember what it felt like
to move into a new community and remember Abraham’s hospitality to the three
strangers. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">On his deathbed, St. Francis freed his brothers by
saying, “I have done what was mine to do, may Christ now teach you what you are
to do.” </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">(Life of Saint Francis, Bonaventure) May</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> we learn from his example and welcome the strangers
in our midst.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "brush script mt"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">Pace e bene</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Dennis R. Dowell, ofshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354607959021329829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174566589415269580.post-15130689495459463082019-02-13T10:31:00.000-06:002019-10-14T09:20:11.084-05:00Reflections on the Rule - Chapter 2 - Article 10<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><i>Chapter Two: </i></b></span></span></div>
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><i>The Way of Life</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br /></i></b></span></div>
</div>
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">10. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk533146010">Uniting themselves to the
redemptive obedience of Jesus</a>, who placed His will into the Father’s hands,
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk533148930">let them faithfully fulfill the duties proper to their
various circumstances of life.</a> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk533149657">Let them also follow
the poor and crucified Christ, witness to Him even in difficulties and
persecutions.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></a></span></i></span></div>
<i></i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"></span>
<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Because of General
Constitutions always shed more light upon the Article of the Rule itself, it is
good to remind us of what they say:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Article 10:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Rule 10</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"> "Christ, poor
and crucified", victor over death and risen, the greatest manifestation of
the love of God for humanity, is the "book" in which the brothers and
sisters, in imitation of St. Francis, learn the purpose and the way of living,
loving, and suffering.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They discover in
Him the value of contradictions for the sake of justice and the meaning of the
difficulties and the crosses of daily life.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>With Him, they can accept the will of the Father even under the most
difficult circumstances and live the Franciscan spirit of peace, rejecting
every doctrine contrary to human dignity. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Article 11</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Mindful that the Holy Spirit is the source of
their vocation and the animator of fraternal life and mission, Secular
Franciscans should seek to imitate the faithfulness of St. Francis to His
inspiration.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They should listen to the
exhortation of the Saint to desire above all things "the Spirit of God at
work within them." </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Article 12:<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span></i></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">1. Gaining inspiration from the example and the writings of St.
Francis and, above all, filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, each day the
brothers and sisters faithfully live the great gift which Christ has given: the
revelation of the Father.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They should
bear witness to this faith before all: — in their family life; — in their work;
— in their joys and sufferings; — in their associations with all men and women,
brothers and sisters of the same Father; — in their presence and participation
in the life of society; — in their fraternal relationships with all creatures. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px 8px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">2. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Rule 10</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"> With Jesus, obedient even to
death, they should seek to know and do the will of the Father.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They should give thanks to God for the gift
of freedom and for the revelation of the law of love.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In order to carry out the will of the Father,
they should accept the help which is offered to them through the mediation of
the Church by those who are constituted as authority in her and by their confreres.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They should take on the risk of courageous
choices in their life in society with decisiveness and serenity. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Well, that’s a lot
to take in!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So, let’s break it down into
small pieces so that we may better understand what it all means.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Uniting
themselves to the redemptive obedience of Jesus…</span></i></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We begin with the
simple idea of uniting ourselves to a special principle.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In this case, we are asked to unite with the
“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">redemptive obedience of Jesus</i>.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Those words sound to our ears as a scary
option.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>When we think about Jesus, we
remember how he submitted his life to God’s Will and through Gethsemane and the
Cross he redeemed us from our life of sin.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>He gave himself over completely to the Father’s Will!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Wait a minute!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>That ended up being an excruciating painful situation!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Are we expected to go to the cross to be a
faithful follower of Christ?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">What was it he said?
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">“</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="48016024"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">24</span></i></b></a><span style="margin: 0px;"></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Then Jesus said to his
disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,<a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/16#48016024-2"><span style="color: #333333; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">*</span></a> take up his
cross, and follow me. </i></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="48016025"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">25</span></i></b></a><span style="margin: 0px;"></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"> For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever
loses his life for my sake will find it</span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="48016026">26</a></span></i></b><span style="margin: 0px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and
forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">?</b></span></i></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">” </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(MATT 16</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">)</span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That doesn’t sound
very cushy to me.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Well, that’s the
point.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Following Christ is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">NOT</i></b>
an easy job.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As we read the Beatitudes
and remember many of his sayings, we find that they are countercultural--just
the opposite of what society says we should be and do.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>St. Francis quickly picked up on this idea as
he formulated his way of following Christ through Gospel living.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">This whole idea of
“redemptive obedience” is going to be difficult.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>When we consider that</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Christ's whole life is a mystery of <span style="margin: 0px;">redemption.</span> Redemption comes to us above all through the blood
of his cross, but this mystery is at work throughout Christ's entire life: </span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">already in his Incarnation through which by becoming poor he
enriches us with his poverty; </span></i></span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">in his hidden life which by his submission atones for our
disobedience; </span></i></span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">in his word which purifies its hearers;</span></i></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">in his healings and exorcisms by which "he took our infirmities
and bore our diseases";</span></i></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">and in his Resurrection by which he justifies us.</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(CCC 517)</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"> </span></i></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If we are to follow St.
Francis in his obedience to the Will of God, we will find ourselves becoming “…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">obedient unto death</i>…”, just as Jesus
did.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Now, this “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">death</i>”, while we are living, is one of sacrifice.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Living simply, and that’s what we’re really
talking about, is giving up—foregoing—turning away from—those things that are
not required for life in Christ—detachment from the things of this world in
favor of union with Christ—where true happiness lies.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">We are not without
help, however; even amid this challenge</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px 8px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">In order to carry out the will
of the Father, they should accept the help which is offered to them through the
mediation of the Church by those who are constituted as authority in her and by
their confreres.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They should take on the
risk of courageous choices in their life in society with decisiveness and
serenity. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(GC 12.2)</span></i></b></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">All of this is not
as complex as it sounds.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The Catechism
reminds us:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Outward sacrifice, to be genuine, must be the expression of
spiritual sacrifice: "The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken
spirit...." The prophets of the Old Covenant often denounced sacrifices
that were not from the heart or not coupled with love of neighbor.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Jesus recalls the words of the prophet Hosea:
"I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.”<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The only perfect sacrifice is the one that Christ offered on the cross
as a total offering to the Father's love and for our salvation.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>By uniting ourselves with his sacrifice we
can make our lives a sacrifice to God<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">. </b></span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(CCC 2100)</span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">In our obedience,
then, we become a sacrifice when we supplant our own personal desires for those
of God.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We stop trying to be “in-charge”
and allow God to show us how to live out our lives in an honest, other-centered
fashion.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Simply put, we think of others
before ourselves and give our time, talent, and treasure for their benefit.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In so doing, we truly follow St. Francis’
example of Christ’s way of living—loving God with everything we have and our
neighbor as ourselves.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">…let
them faithfully fulfill the duties proper to their various circumstances of
life.</span></i></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">We are called the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Secular Franciscan Order</i>.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>That <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Secular
</i>is a very important part of who we are!<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>We live in today’s world and are charged to change it as a result of our
witness to the Gospel values that we profess.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Though our daily lives, we encounter the world and infuse it with the
gifts of faith, hope, and love.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>What we
say and do truly reflects the Gospel lives that we live and, hopefully, infects
those around us with similar desires.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">By reason of their special vocation it belongs to the laity to
seek the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them
according to God's will.... It pertains to them in a special way so to
illuminate and order all temporal things with which they are closely associated
that these may always be [affected] and grow according to Christ and maybe to
the glory of the Creator and Redeemer.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(CCC 898)</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"> </span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">We are obligated to
change the world into a Gospel centered society through our interaction with
society at our job, school, home, sports, arts, extended family, and…. well, the
list goes on.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Essentially, everywhere we
go, we should leave the mark of the Christ-life as an example and role model
for everyone we meet.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Now, you can
easily understand why we have already talked about prayer and devotion to
Mary—both will help us achieve this goal, when we remember that we are obedient
to God’s will, not our own.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Let
them also follow the poor and crucified Christ, witness to Him even in difficulties
and persecutions.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></i></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The Catechism offers
clarity to this last phrase of Article 10:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The cross is the unique sacrifice of Christ, the "one
mediator between God and men". But because in his incarnate divine person
he has in some way united himself to every man, "the possibility of being
made partners, in a way known to God, in the paschal mystery" is offered
to all men. He calls his disciples to "take up [their] cross and follow
[him]", for "Christ also suffered for [us], leaving [us] an example
so that [we] should follow in his steps." In fact Jesus desires to
associate with his redeeming sacrifice those who were to be its first
beneficiaries. This is achieved supremely in the case of his mother, who was
associated more intimately than any other person in the mystery of his
redemptive suffering<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk533231098">. </a></span></i><span style="margin: 0px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(CCC 618)</span></i></b></span></span></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"></span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Apart from the cross there is no other ladder by which we may
get to heaven... </span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(CCC 618)</span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Christ unites us with his Passover: all his members must strive
to resemble him, "until Christ be formed" in them. "For this reason,
we . . . are taken up into the mysteries of his life, . . . associated with his
sufferings as the body with its head, suffering with him, that with him we may
be glorified."<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(CCC 793)</span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Hence the laity, dedicated as they are to Christ and anointed by
the Holy Spirit, are marvelously called and prepared so that even richer fruits
of the Spirit maybe produced in them. For all their works, prayers, and
apostolic undertakings, family and married life, daily work, relaxation of mind
and body, if they are accomplished in the Spirit - indeed even the hardships of
life if patiently born - all these become spiritual sacrifices acceptable to
God through Jesus Christ. In the celebration of the Eucharist these may most
fittingly be offered to the Father along with the body of the Lord. And so,
worshipping everywhere by their holy actions, the laity consecrate the world
itself to God, everywhere offering worship by the holiness of their lives.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(CCC 901)</span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">We encounter the
difficulties of daily life with all its vicissitudes in the Spirit of Christ as
a follower of St. Francis.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In so doing,
we help bless the world and make it more holy.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Our witness to the good life that Christ calls us to live is a
transformative experience for everyone we encounter, if we are in proper
alignment with God’s will.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This is
accomplished through our obedience to the commandments of Jesus outlined
throughout his entire ministry.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We watch
St. Francis and follow in his footsteps. We bring grace to a troubled world!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Much of Chapter Two of our Rule is designed
to show us specific ways that we accomplish this ministry and, through
understanding and living this Way of Life, we evangelize the world and
transform it into what God intended in the first place.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Pace e bene.</span></i></b></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Dennis R. Dowell, ofshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354607959021329829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174566589415269580.post-65822160560896961132018-12-04T10:21:00.004-06:002019-10-14T09:19:38.225-05:00Justice, ,Peace, & Integrity of Creation - ELECTION 2018<b><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">NOTE: THIS WAS WRITTEN BEFORE THE ELECTION - BUT THE SENTIMENTS REMAIN POINGNANT AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE ELECTION OF 2020.</span></i></b><br />
<b></b><i></i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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</w:wrap></v:imagedata></v:shape><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Although this mime is
somewhat cynical, it does express a certain amount of caution as we move toward
the November elections.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Undoubtedly, we
have already seen many political advertisements in the media.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We know that none of them depict the reality
of our societal conditions right now nor the candidates they pander.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Oh, yes, each one has a small element of
truth, usually just enough to make us think the entire ad is correct.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But, really</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">——</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">if all of the candidates are a bad as
their opponents make them out to be, we are really in trouble.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">(Well, we may be anyway.)</span></i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Our US Bishops have distributed a document entitled, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Forming Consciences for Faithful
Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility</u></i>.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The USCCB re-issues this document prior to
each election cycle.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The Bishops address
such questions as,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 72px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Why Does the Church Teach About Issues
Affecting Public Policy?</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 72px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Who in the Church Should Participate in
Political Life?</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 72px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">How Does the Church Help the Catholic
Faithful to Speak About Political and Social Questions?</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 72px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">What Does the Church Say About Catholic
Social Teaching in the Public Square? -Four Principles of Catholic Social
Teaching</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">With a well-reasoned discussion and many citations from
Church documents, we understand why the Church should be involved in the life
of our society and not relegated to Sunday liturgy, as many have suggested; and
why each of us has a responsibility to participate in our community’s political
life, especially through our vote.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The other parts of the document are instructive about where
the Church stands on many of the important issues of the day.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 72px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/forming-consciences-for-faithful-citizenship-part-two.cfm"><span style="margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Part
II - Applying Catholic Teaching to Major Issues: A Summary of Policy Positions
of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops</span></span></a></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 72px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/forming-consciences-for-faithful-citizenship-part-three.cfm"><span style="margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Part
III - Goals for Political Life: Challenges for Citizens, Candidates, and Public
Officials</span></span></a></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 72px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/forming-consciences-for-faithful-citizenship-references.cfm"><span style="margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Notes
and References</span></span></a></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 72px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/forming-consciences-for-faithful-citizenship-statements.cfm"><span style="margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Major
Catholic Statements on Public Moral Issue</span></span></a></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The Bishops publish this well written guide to assist us in making
the very difficult choices we face before we cast our ballot in each election
cycle.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The important thing to remember
is that we <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">do</b> have a right to vote</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">—</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">but each right has an accompanying responsibility:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we have the responsibility to vote. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></i></b>A right is of little value if we don’t
accept and act on the commensurate responsibility.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Of interest is that less than 60% of the electorate has voted
in the last four US presidential elections; and, it is much less for the
midterm elections, e.g., less than 40% </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">(Pew Research, 2014)</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"> and a whole lot less for city,
county, and school board elections. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">[Illinois, ranking seventh in an
M.I.T. study, had a voter turnout in 2016 of 63.36% </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">(elections.mit.edu)</span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Denmark & Sweden have around 85%.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">(IDEA website)</span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">].</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Between understanding our choices and the historical
performance in elections, we have an important obligation to be certain to vote
and encourage all of our friends to do the same.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As the Bishops point out, </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">In the Catholic Tradition,
responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a
moral obligation. "People in every nation enhance the social dimension of
their lives by acting as committed and responsible citizens"</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"> (</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Evangelii Gaudium</span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">, no. 220).</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">
The obligation to participate in political life is rooted in our baptismal
commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to bear Christian witness in all we do.
As the <em><span style="border: 1pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0in;">Catechism
of the Catholic Church</span></em> reminds us, "It is necessary that all
participate, each according to his position and role, in promoting the common
good. This obligation is inherent in the dignity of the human person. . . As
far as possible citizens should take an active part in public life</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">" (nos. 1913-1915).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>(</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">“Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to
Political Responsibility”; No. 13.)</span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">So</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">—</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">we need to consider what kind of
society we wish to have, based upon the teachings of our Catholic Magisterium. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We need to find candidates who conform to that
ideal as closely as possible. Then, we need to express our opinion at the
ballot box in November.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Get the sugar
you want instead of the salt you don’t.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">To prepare our consciences properly for this important
responsibility, we should read <span style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/forming-consciences-for-faithful-citizenship-part-one.cfm"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">Forming
Consciences</span></a></span>.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If the link
doesn’t work, go to the USCCB website and look for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Forming Consciences for
Faithful Citizenship</u></i></b>.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Above all, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>VOTE!!</u></i></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Pace e bene</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Dennis R. Dowell, ofshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354607959021329829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174566589415269580.post-46277275634087054112018-12-04T10:17:00.000-06:002018-12-04T10:17:40.835-06:00Justice, Peace, & Integrity of Creation - INTEGRITY OF CREATION<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We arrive at the third leg of
our JPIC discussion with our consideration of Integrity of Creation.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Pope Francis’ recent encyclical, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Laudato
S</i></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">í, </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">covers this topic very thoroughly.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If you haven’t read it yet, you should. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></i></b>A main point of the Pope’s explanation
is the idea of integral ecology.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Of
course, we Franciscans know this idea very well because of St. Francis’ <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Canticle
of the Creatures</i></b>.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FSe5JqFBD4dmGam-64GuWJKIZW9xyosqhJdeQVG3VhydkrzQ-1T_4vW97V3v6UI9Wvq96VDZC9Tj8swYfsxX_lSA1u9HUH8UrTo3E3c1FpQqId9iYMOUqc7w-Tc7U0t0QYswyIpja-c/s1600/Cantical+of+the+Creatures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FSe5JqFBD4dmGam-64GuWJKIZW9xyosqhJdeQVG3VhydkrzQ-1T_4vW97V3v6UI9Wvq96VDZC9Tj8swYfsxX_lSA1u9HUH8UrTo3E3c1FpQqId9iYMOUqc7w-Tc7U0t0QYswyIpja-c/s1600/Cantical+of+the+Creatures.jpg" /></a></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Most
High, all-powerful, good Lord,</span></i><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br />
Yours are the praises, the glory, and the honor, and all blessing,<br />
To You alone, Most High, do they belong,<br />
and no human is worthy to mention Your name.<br />
Praised be You, my Lord, with all Your creatures,<br />
especially Sir Brother Sun,<br />
Who is the day and through whom You give us light.<br />
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor;</span></i><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br />
and bears a likeness of You, Most High One.<br />
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,<br />
in heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful.<br />
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind,<br />
and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather,<br />
through whom You give sustenance to Your creatures.<br />
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,<br />
who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.<br />
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire,<br />
through whom You light the night,<br />
and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.<br />
Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth,<br />
who sustains and governs us,<br />
and who produces various fruit with colored flowers and herbs.<br />
<br />
Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon for Your love,<br />
and bear infirmity and tribulation.<br />
Blessed are those who endure in peace<br />
for by You, Most High, shall they be crowned.<br />
<br />
Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death,<br />
from whom no one living can escape.<br />
Woe to those who die in mortal sin.<br />
Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will,<br />
for the second death shall do them no harm.<br />
<br />
Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks<br />
and serve Him with great humility.</span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">So,
what is our response as Secular Franciscans?<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>When we look at all the environmental problems, the injustice because of
resource unbalance, and the breakdown of the social order, we understand that
we have a solemn responsibility to help correct these issues affecting our
“common home.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Our action is to
recycle, use water carefully and prudently, turn out lights not being used,
lobby our energy companies to create clean energy, install solar panels on our
homes, lobby our legislators to create protections for the environment and for
the poor, dialogue with our city leaders to look at environmentally sound
practices, e.g., elimination of plastic bags, help a food pantries and homeless
shelters, and the list goes on.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We
become advocates for our “common home” through our individual practices and our
dialogue with others to make a difference in our own corner of the world.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>No matter what our age or physical condition,
we can do small things that will make a difference.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">As
our Rule reminds us, </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Let the Secular Franciscans seek a
proper spirit of detachment from temporal goods by simplifying their own
material needs. Let them be mindful that according to the gospel they are
stewards of the goods received for the benefit of God’s children. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">(11)</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">
</span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">A sense of community will make
them joyful and ready to place themselves on an equal basis with all people,
especially with the lowly for whom they shall strive to create conditions of
life worthy of people redeemed by Christ.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"> (13)</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">
</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Moreover, they should respect all
creatures, animate and inanimate, which “bear the imprint of the Most High,”
and they should strive to move from the temptation of exploiting creation to
the Franciscan concept of universal kinship</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">. (18)</span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">So,
let us continue to promote a balance of our use of resources for all who share
our “common home.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Let us continue to
advocate for intelligent use of our natural resources that leaves a world of
promise for our children and grand children and their children.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Let us “…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">come together to take charge of this home which has been
entrusted to us, knowing that all the good which exists here will be taken up
into the heavenly feast. In union with all creatures, we journey through this
land seeking God, for “if the world has a beginning and if it has been created,
we must enquire who gave it this beginning, and who was its Creator”.</span></i></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">(Basil the Great)</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Let us sing as we go. May our
struggles and our concern for this planet never take away the joy of our hope.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">” </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">(Laudato Sí; 244)</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Pace e Bene!</span></i></b></div>
Dennis R. Dowell, ofshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354607959021329829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174566589415269580.post-6192431767526408642018-12-04T10:11:00.000-06:002019-07-26T09:19:10.545-05:00Reflections on the Rule - Chapter 2 - Article 9<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><i>Chapter Two: </i></b></span></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><i>The Way of Life</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
</div>
<i>9.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The Virgin Mary, humble servant of the Lord, was open to His every word
and call.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>She was embraced by Francis
with indescribable love and declared the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk523388665">protectress
and advocate of his family</a>.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The
Secular Franciscans should express their ardent love for her by imitating her
complete self-giving and by praying earnestly and confidently.</i></span></span></div>
<i></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">How appropriate that
we begin our reflection of Article 9 of our Rule during the month of Our Lady
of Sorrows.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>You’ll remember that the
Seven Sorrows are</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The prophecy of Simeon. (St. Luke
2:34, 35) </span></span></i></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The flight into Egypt. (St. Matthew
2:13, 14) </span></span></i></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The loss of the Child Jesus in the
temple. (St. Luke 2: 43-45) </span></span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the
Way of the Cross. </span></span></i></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Crucifixion. </span></span></i></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The taking down of the Body of Jesus
from the Cross.</span></span></i></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The
burial of Jesus.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"></span></span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Also, our Franciscan Crown Rosary
celebrates the Seven Joys of Mary, which are</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annunciation" title="Annunciation"><span style="margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">The
Annunciation</span></a></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nativity_of_Jesus" title="Nativity of Jesus"><span style="margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">The
Nativity of Jesus</span></a></span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adoration_of_the_Magi" title="Adoration of the Magi"><span style="margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">The Adoration of the Magi</span></a></span></i></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resurrection_of_Christ"><span style="margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">The
Resurrection of Christ</span></a></span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascension_of_Jesus" title="Ascension of Jesus"><span style="margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">The Ascension of Christ to Heaven</span></a></span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentecost" title="Pentecost"><span style="margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">The
Pentecost</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> or Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and Mary</span></span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronation_of_the_Virgin" title="Coronation of the Virgin"><span style="margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">The Coronation of the Virgin</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
in Heaven</span></span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Why, you might ask,
would we mention these two popular devotions to Mary in this reflection.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We all know the decades of the Rosary pretty
well.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They recall for our meditation the
important elements of Jesus life and Ministry, only the last two decades dealing
specifically with Mary.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The Seven Joys
and Sorrows encourage us to reflect on Mary’s experience as she was “…open to
His every word and call.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Through these
experiences of Mary’s life, we come to better understand how her whole life was
one of understanding and submission to God’s Will.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The Catechism helps us understand this idea
when it states,</span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>2674</i></span> Mary gave her
consent in faith at the Annunciation and maintained it without hesitation at
the foot of the Cross. Ever since, her motherhood has extended to the brothers
and sisters of her Son "who still journey on earth surrounded by dangers and
difficulties."</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></a></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Jesus, the only mediator, is the way of our
prayer; Mary, his mother and ours, is wholly transparent to him: she
"shows the way" (hodigitria), and is herself "the
Sign" of the way, according to the traditional iconography of East and
West.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">2617</span> Mary's prayer
is revealed to us at the dawning of the fullness of time. Before the
incarnation of the Son of God, and before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit,
her prayer cooperates in a unique way with the Father's plan of loving
kindness: at the Annunciation, for Christ's conception; at Pentecost, for the
formation of the Church, his Body.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;"> </span></a><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In the faith of his humble handmaid, the Gift
of God found the acceptance he had awaited from the beginning of time. She whom
the Almighty made "full of grace" responds by offering her whole
being: "Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be [done] to me
according to your word." "Fiat": this is Christian prayer: to be
wholly God's, because he is wholly ours.</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Mary becomes our
Mother because we continue to journey as a sister or brother of Jesus.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It was fitting that our Seraphic Father chose
her as “…</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">protectress and advocate of his family.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">And, we who follow St. Francis surely as much as he did “…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">embrace her with indescribable love.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></i>We might ask, “What does this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">indescribable love</i> look like?”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Our General Constitutions give us an idea in
Article 16:</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><i>1. Rule 9 <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Mary,
Mother of Jesus, is the model of listening to the Word and of faithfulness to
vocation; we, like Francis, see all the gospel virtues realized in her. The
brothers and sisters should cultivate intense love for the most holy virgin,
imitation, prayer, and filial abandonment.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>They should manifest their own devotion with expressions of genuine
faith, in forms accepted by the Church. </i></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><i><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>2. Mary is the model of fruitful and faithful
love for the entire ecclesial community.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Secular Franciscans and their fraternities should seek to live the
experience of Francis, who made the Virgin the guide of his activity.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>With her, like the disciples at Pentecost,
they should welcome the Spirit to create a community of love.</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Listening to the Word” <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Gospel virtues”</i><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We are reminded of our slogan:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Gospel to Life and Life to Gospel.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>That’s the way we are supposed to live.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>And, Mary shows us the way.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><i>The Gospel reveals
to us how Mary prays and intercedes in faith. At Cana, the mother of Jesus asks
her son for the needs of a wedding feast; this is the sign of another feast -
that of the wedding of the Lamb where he gives his body and blood at the
request of the Church, his Bride. It is at the hour of the New Covenant, at the
foot of the cross, that Mary is heard as the Woman, the new Eve, the true
"Mother of all the living."<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">(CCC 2618)</span></i></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><i>The Virgin Mary most
perfectly embodies the obedience of faith. By faith Mary welcomes the tidings
and promise brought by the angel Gabriel, believing that "with God nothing
will be impossible" and so giving her assent: "Behold I am the
handmaid of the Lord; let it be [done] to me according to your word." Elizabeth
greeted her: "Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment
of what was spoken to her from the Lord." It is for this faith that all
generations have called Mary blessed. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">(CCC 148)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><i>At the announcement
that she would give birth to "the Son of the Most High" without
knowing man, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Mary responded with the obedience
of faith, certain that "with God nothing will be impossible":
"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be [done] to me according
to your word." Thus, giving her consent to God's word, Mary becomes the
mother of Jesus. Espousing the divine will for salvation wholeheartedly,
without a single sin to restrain her, she gave herself entirely to the person
and to the work of her Son; she did so in order to serve the mystery of
redemption with him and dependent on him, by God's grace…<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">(CCC 494)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Mary</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"> is the perfect model for us to follow
Jesus.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As we follow Francis to learn how
to follow Jesus in Gospel living, we find that Mary has already walked the path
before us.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The Seven Joys and Seven
Sorrows clearly show both sides of living the Gospel life.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In our devotion to her, we come to understand
how both extreme joy and suffering are part and parcel of our life as
Christians.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>You can’t have one without the other.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The Resurrection is preceded by the Cross.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">In following Mary,
our lesson continues as we recognize her complete assent to God’s will through
her understanding, acceptance and obedience to the message of the
Annunciation.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Her <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fiat</i> demonstrates her immense faith in what God promises and her
willingness to give herself over to His Will—totally and completely.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><i>As St. Irenaeus
says, "Being obedient she became the cause of salvation for herself and
for the whole human race." Hence not a few of the early Fathers gladly
assert….: "The knot of Eve's disobedience was untied by Mary's obedience:
what the virgin Eve bound through her disbelief, Mary loosened by her
faith." Comparing her with Eve, they call Mary "the Mother of the
living" and frequently claim: "Death through Eve, life through
Mary." <span style="margin: 0px;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">(CCC 494)</span></i></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><i>By her complete
adherence to the Father's will, to his Son's redemptive work, and to every
prompting of the Holy Spirit, the Virgin Mary is the Church's model of faith
and charity. Thus, she is a "preeminent and . . . wholly unique member of
the Church"; indeed, she is the "exemplary realization" (typus)
of the Church.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>(<span style="font-size: x-small;">CCC 967)</span></i></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">We can do no less as
we follow St. Francis—complete and unencumbered faith in God’s Will and a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fiat</i> of our own to unreservedly follow
the Gospel message.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><i>[Mary’s] role in
relation to the Church and to all humanity goes still further. "In a
wholly singular way she cooperated by her obedience, faith, hope, and burning
charity in the Savior's work of restoring supernatural life to souls. For this
reason, she is a mother to us in the order of grace."<span style="margin: 0px;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">(CCC 968) </span></i></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">OK. So, now that we
understand how completely Mary followed Jesus in accepting God’s Will in her
life, how do we, who are far from the unstained soul that she is, accomplish
this goal? </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">The Secular Franciscans should express
their ardent love for her by imitating her complete self-giving …</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 130%; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Oh, that’s not so bad—just completely give ourselves
over to God—and by the way:</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 130%; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 130%; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">…
by praying earnestly and confidently.</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Yes, through earnest
and confident prayer, we can understand better the Gospel sprit that we are to
live out in our lives.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Through continual
study of the Gospel and prayer about what we have learned, we can live by the
principle of complete self-giving.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As we
better understand how St. Francis followed our Lord, and as we attempt to
follow in his footsteps, we more completely and follow the exemplar of Mary’s
life as summarized in the Seven Joys and Sorrows.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><i>We pray the Rosary daily—not that “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">quick to get it over with”</b> recitation; but, rather, a reverent, contemplative,
and meaningful method outlined by Pope St. Paul VI and Pope St. John Paul II.</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The centre of gravity in the </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Hail Mary</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">, the hinge as
it were which joins its two parts, is </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">the name of Jesus.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"> Sometimes, in
hurried recitation, this centre of gravity can be overlooked, and with it the
connection to the mystery of Christ being contemplated. Yet it is precisely the
emphasis given to the name of Jesus and to his mystery that is the sign of a
meaningful and fruitful recitation of the Rosary. Pope Paul VI drew attention,
in his Apostolic Exhortation</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"> Marialis Cultus</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">, to the custom
in certain regions of highlighting the name of Christ by the addition of a
clause referring to the mystery being contemplated. This is a praiseworthy
custom, especially during public recitation. It gives forceful expression to
our faith in Christ, directed to the different moments of the Redeemer's life. It
is at once </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">a profession of faith </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">and an aid in
concentrating our meditation, since it facilitates the process of assimilation
to the mystery of Christ inherent in the repetition of the</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"> Hail Mary</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">. When we
repeat the name of Jesus – the only name given to us by which we may hope for
salvation </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">(cf. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Acts </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">4:12)</span> – in close association with the name of
his Blessed Mother, almost as if it were done at her suggestion, we set out on
a path of assimilation meant to help us enter more deeply into the life of
Christ. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>(Rosarium Virginis Mariae, The Rosary of the Virgin Mary; Pope St.
John Paul II)</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Both Popes encourage us to take time to reflect upon each of the
mysteries—to contemplate the story being told during the mystery through
recitation of Scripture—to allow a time of silence that will enhance our
contemplation—to carefully and thoughtfully understand how this glimpse of the Jesus’
life can impact our own life.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The
hurried, rapid fire, mindless recitation really undermines the entire idea of
prayer that the Rosary is intended to be.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Yes, we should <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>PRAY</u></i></b> the Rosary, not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">SAY</i> it!</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">As we continue to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pray
earnestly and confidently, </i>we include the Seven Joys and Seven Sorrows of
Mary, the Magnificat, Hail Holy Queen, Stabat mater, Consecration to Mary, and
a whole host of other Marian Prayers.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Finally, as Franciscans, because Mary was
“…embraced by St. Francis with indescribable love” we consider consecrating ourselves
to Mary.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>A good way to prepare for this
consecration is the “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">33 Days to Morning
Glory”</i> by Michael E. Gaitley, MIC. </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">This free booklet includes meditations by St. Louis de
Monfort, S.M.M., St. Maximilian Kolbe, O.F.M. Conv., St. Mother Teresa, MC,
Pope St. John Paul II.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>During the 33
days you are prepared to make your own consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary
and allow her to help you give yourself over completely to Jesus. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Totus Tuum</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"> becomes our motto as well.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "brush script mt"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Pace et bene.</span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="color: black;"></span>Dennis R. Dowell, ofshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354607959021329829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174566589415269580.post-62699116468345120472018-06-27T16:55:00.000-05:002019-07-26T09:20:24.236-05:00Reflections on the Rule - Chapter 2 - Article 8<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><div align="center" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><i>Chapter Two: </i></b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><i>The Way of Life</i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Jesus was the
true worshipper of the Father, so let prayer and contemplation be the soul of
all they are and do. Let them participate in the sacramental life of the
Church, above all the Eucharist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let
them join in liturgical prayer in one of the forms proposed by the Church,
reliving the mysteries of the life of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Prayer, contemplation, Sacraments,
especially Eucharist, and liturgical prayer—these are the elements of Article 8
of our Rule— “…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the soul of all [we] are
and do</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That gets right down to our
very nature, doesn’t it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s take a
brief look at what this means in our daily lives as Franciscans.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We know that St. Francis spent much
time secluded from his friars immersed in prayer and contemplation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know that in one of these sessions near
the end of his life, he was blessed with the Stigmata.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also know that St. Francis was just
following the example of Jesus who also would steal away from his Disciples and
go to a private place to spend time in prayer and contemplation, especially
before some other major event in his life. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(CCC
2599 & 2602)</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
most visible example of these prayer sessions is the glimpse that we get in the
garden on Holy Thursday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, we have
excellent examples from St. Francis and Jesus of just what the results of
prayer and contemplation can accomplish.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our Constitutions enlighten us
further.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Article 12, 3.
Rule 8 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The brothers and sisters should
love meeting God as His children and they should let prayer and contemplation
be the soul of all they are and do. They should seek to discover the presence
of the Father in their own heart, in nature, and in the history of humanity in
which His plan of salvation is fulfilled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The contemplation of this mystery will dispose them to collaborate in
this loving plan</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Here
we see that an essential aspect of our prayer and contemplation is to “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">discover the presence of the Father in [our]
own heart...</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This kind of prayer is
much deeper than a few Rosaries or Our Fathers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We spend time in quiet solitude contemplating how God works in our lives
and quiet the mind so that He can “talk” to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As we do this, we find the remainder of that second sentence becoming a
part of our awareness of who we are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
find ourselves not only loving God, but really, truly loving our neighbor with
a deep agape and collaborating with God’s loving plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One follows the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(See Constitutions, Article 14.1 & 5)</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Catechism of the Catholic Church explains the processes of contemplative prayer
and would be well worth your time to review.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Consult Part Four, Chapter Three, Article I, Section III, Articles
2709—2719.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Incorporating this form of
prayer into our daily routine will take us well beyond our usual repetition of
formal prayers into a “state of being with God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we set aside these quiet moments, we experience
how the Holy Spirit works in our lives and changes us dramatically—like He did
the Apostles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In so doing, we discover
how to become holy as Pope Francis is calling us to do in his recent apostolic
Exhortation, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gaudete et exsultate</i>,
which we are running in our Newsletter on page 3.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Article
8 of the Rule continues to encourage us to fully participate in the Sacramental
life of the Church, especially the Eucharist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We already know how important the Eucharist is to Franciscans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>St. Francis reminds us that the Eucharist is
“the bodily presence of the most high Son of God in the world.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">prayer addendum to the</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
Liturgy of the Hours for Thursday we pray, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">O
God, Francis and Clare had great awe and reverence for the Eucharist—may our
devotion to Jesus’ Body and Blood be an example to those who aspire to the
Franciscan life</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the document <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lumen Gentium</i> from the Second Vatican
Council tells us that the Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian
life.” </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(LG
11) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yes,
the Eucharist is important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But our Rule
does ask us to participate in the sacramental life of the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That means the other six sacraments are
important too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of us will have
participated in at least six of them, a few will have been ordained Deacons as
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What we realize is the we receive much
grace through all the Sacraments and, having received that grace, need to
witness our faith through a radical change in our daily lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(See
Constitutions, Article 14, 2-3; Article 53.2)</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Finally,
Article 8 of our Rule adjures us to “join in the liturgical prayer of the
Church.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most months we begin our
Gatherings with the Liturgy of the Hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once again, our Constitutions remind us that there are other options:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The brothers and sisters, as well as the
fraternities, should adhere to the indications of the Ritual with respect to
the different forms of participating in the liturgical prayer of the Church,
giving priority to the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Article 14.4)</span></i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Ritual lists a number of these optional prayers which include, a shortened form
of the Liturgy of the Hours, The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary, The
Office of the Passion, The Office of the Twelve our Fathers, other forms of
liturgical prayer approved by the Spiritual Assistant, and Spiritual Prayer
Forms for the liturgical seasons, e.g., The Way of the Cross and The Crown
Rosary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(pp. 103-104.)</span></i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Utilizing these other
liturgical forms of prayer help to vary our talks with God and keep our prayer
life fresh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This variety helps us
“relive the mysteries of the life of Christ,” thus bringing us closer to Him
and his <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Way of Life</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we become closer to Christ, we imitate our
Seraphic Father and become better servants of our Lord, helping others who are
the less fortunate of the world, not only in physical things but in spiritual
things as well. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Brush Script MT"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pace et bene.</span></div>
</span></div>
<br />Dennis R. Dowell, ofshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354607959021329829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174566589415269580.post-64673907866220729682018-04-23T11:53:00.001-05:002018-04-23T11:53:12.268-05:00Reflections on the Rule - Chapter 2 - Article 7
<br />
<div style="margin: 9.33px 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Way of Life</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0.5in 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>United by their
vocation as "brothers and sisters of penance" and motivated by the
dynamic power of the gospel, let them conform their thoughts and deeds to those
of Christ by means of that radical interior change which the gospel calls
"conversion."<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Human frailty
makes it necessary that this conversion be carried out daily.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>On this road to renewal the sacrament of
reconciliation is the privileged sign of the Father's mercy and the source of
grace.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As we
continue to consider our Way of Life, we recognize that we are part of the
Church because of our Baptism.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>When we
Professed to live as Franciscans, we accepted a “more intimate” relationship
with the Church, that is, we committed to be more faithful to the Church and its
teachings.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Part of our responsibility,
then, is to more fully understand what the Church says and what it teaches
about the conditions of life and what our response as faithful Christians is
supposed to be.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Eight hundred years ago, lay people wanted to
join Francis’s new order.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Our Seraphic
Father created a way in his <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Letter to All
the Faithful</i> in which he simply wrote:</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0.5in 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1) love God 2) love one's neighbor 3) turn away from our
sinful tendencies 4) "receive the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus
Christ" and, as a result of the above, 5) [produce] worthy fruits of
penance – a renewed life characterized by charity, forgiveness and compassion
toward others. </span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thus, the Brothers and Sisters of Penance began
their long journey in following the footsteps of St. Francis.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Today, we inherit that charism as the Secular
Franciscan Order; we are a penitential order.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>What does that mean to us in today’s world?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The interesting thing about penance is that is
has a long history in Judaic-Christian practice. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We read about the people of Nineveh fasting
and sitting in ashes to avoid the punishment that Noah preached; of David not
eating and asking for forgiveness when his first born of Bathsheba was so ill;
of several “40 days in the wilderness” – a retreat like experience; and the
list goes on.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>What this history is
trying to tell us is that we do have that tendency to sin – to turn away from God
and do things that are not so nice.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>For
some people it’s really big things like theft, murder, and other “big”
sins.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>For most of us it’s the irritated
word or harsh comment or gossip that fills our day with activities.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But, we also have a history of returning to
God in dramatic ways – of reconciling with Him who loves us so much.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What we who have perpetually professed as
Franciscans is that we don’t want to be sinners– we want to be closer to God
and his Church – we want to live a good life that recognizes the mercy and
grace that God makes available to us every day.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>We want to turn away from the error of sin and become more and more
faithful in our activities with God.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Our
response to this desire is the daily conversion outlined in this article of our
Rule.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our Constitutions reemphasizes the need for this
daily conversion in a way hearkening back to the simplicity of St. Francis’
original thoughts:</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0.5in 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">1.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Rule 7<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Secular Franciscans, called in earlier times
"the brothers and sisters of penance," propose to live in the spirit
of continual conversion.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Some means to
cultivate this characteristic of the Franciscan vocation, individually and in
fraternity, are: listening to and celebrating the Word of God; review of life;
spiritual retreats; the help of a spiritual adviser, and penitential
celebrations.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They should approach the
Sacrament of Reconciliation frequently and participate in the communal
celebration of it, whether in the fraternity, or with the whole people of God.</span></i><a href="file:///C:/Users/Dennis%20Dowell/Documents/Franciscan%20Groups%20&amp;%20Issues/Reflections%20on%20the%20Rule/Chapter%202;%20Article%207.docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 6.5pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">[1]</span></b></span></span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> </span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0.5in 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">2.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In this
spirit of conversion, they should live out their love for the renewal of the
Church, which should be accompanied by personal and communal renewal.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The fruits of conversion, which is a response
to the love of God, are the works of charity in the interactions with the
brothers and sisters.</span></i><a href="file:///C:/Users/Dennis%20Dowell/Documents/Franciscan%20Groups%20&amp;%20Issues/Reflections%20on%20the%20Rule/Chapter%202;%20Article%207.docx" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 6.5pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">[2]</span></b></span></span></i></a></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0.5in 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">3.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Traditional
among Franciscan penitents, penitential practices such as fasting and
abstinence should be known, appreciated, and lived out according to the general
guidelines of the Church.</span></i><span style="color: #400000;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; margin: 0px;">(Constitutions, Article 13)</span></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Between Francis’ list and the list from the
Constitutions, we see several ways that we can accomplish this pledge to daily
conversion.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>All these ideas are supported
in the Catechism in several paragraphs, notably 1431-1432, 1434-1437, 1440,
1446, 1779, and 1989.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All of this is well and good, but what does this
mean in a practical way for each of us?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, we recognize that we have a tendency to sin
– go against the will of God in our lives.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>We are sorry for those times which are frequent in our daily lives.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We want to do something about it.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We examine our lives daily, and endeavor to make
amends.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We apologize to people whom we
have harmed with our actions and words, we go to sacramental reconciliation
regularly, and we live with the corporal and spiritual works of mercy in our
hearts.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We are seriously committed to the Church and its
teachings and learn as much as we possibly can about what they mean and how to
live them – but we also defend the Church when someone attacks it.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We become more faithful in our lives as
Christians.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We really “walk the walk” –
Gospel to Life and Life to Gospel.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We are concerned about all people but recognizing
that we can’t go into the whole world, we work on that part of the world in
which we are living.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We reach out to people in need in our communities
and work to make their lives easier to live helping them to find the resources
that they need to find shelter, food, work, whatever.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In essence, we take the answer of Jesus to the
question, “What is the greatest commandment?” to its logical conclusion:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>we love God greatly by thinking of others
first and placing ourselves, in all humility, as last.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In following Francis, we make ourselves the
“little poor ones” and serve others to the very best of our abilities. We
become counter-cultural looking for ways of service to others and ways to
inculcate peace into our community’s life.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, let us examine our lives daily and truly,
really make that conversion happen by turning our backs on materialism,
snarkyness, envy, suspicion, gossip and all those other ways that we don’t love
God and others.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Let us turn our faces
toward God’s love and grace.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Let us take
that love and grace to the world where we live and change it!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br clear="all" />
</div>
<hr size="1" style="text-align: left;" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 18.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Dennis%20Dowell/Documents/Franciscan%20Groups%20&amp;%20Issues/Reflections%20on%20the%20Rule/Chapter%202;%20Article%207.docx" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">[1]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Ordo
Poenitentiae.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Praenotanda</i> 22 ff.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 18.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Dennis%20Dowell/Documents/Franciscan%20Groups%20&amp;%20Issues/Reflections%20on%20the%20Rule/Chapter%202;%20Article%207.docx" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">[2]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>See <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Second
Letter to All the Faithful</i> 25 ff.</span></span></div>
</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>Dennis R. Dowell, ofshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354607959021329829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174566589415269580.post-79377779924953264832018-04-19T09:50:00.000-05:002018-04-23T11:53:23.270-05:00Justice Peace & Integrity of Creation - PEACE<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the last article we looked at the Justice part of Justice,
Peace, & Integrity of Creation (JPIC).<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Here are some relevant quotes from a variety of sources over the years
that will help focus our discussion of the second part of JPIC – PEACE.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Finally, it is to be hoped that, in
carrying out their responsibilities in the international community, Catholics
will seek to cooperate actively and constructively with other Christians, who
profess the same Gospel of love, and with all men who hunger and thirst for
true peace.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">(Gaudium et specs, 90.)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Peace begins within each of us. It is
a process of repeatedly showing mercy to ourselves, forgiving ourselves,
befriending ourselves, accepting ourselves, and loving ourselves. As we learn
to appreciate ourselves and accept God's gift of peace, we begin to radiate
peace and love to others. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">(Reverend John Dear)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Peace concerns the human person as a
whole, and it involves complete commitment. It is peace with God through a life
lived according to his will. It is interior peace with oneself, and exterior
peace with our neighbors and all creation.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>(World Day of Peace – 2013; Benedict XVI.)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">My peace I bequeath to you, my own
peace I give to you. A peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">(John 14:27.)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">In his Testament, Francis tells us
that “the Lord revealed a greeting to me that we should say: ‘May the Lord give
you peace.’” Saint Bonaventure recalls, “At the beginning and end of every
sermon [Francis] announced peace; in every greeting he wished for peace.” Both
Francis and Clare greeted the people of Assisi with Pace e Bene! (Peace and
Good!) As Franciscans, peace must be at the center of all our comings and
goings.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">(Handbook for Animators
of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation [JPIC].)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Many people believe that peace is just the absence of conflict—you
know, no battles or disagreements.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Blessed Paul VI reminds us that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“If
you want Peace, work for Justice.”</i> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">(Paul VI - World Day of
Peace, 1972.)</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">“A Peace that is not the result of
true respect for man is not true Peace. And what do we call this sincere
feeling for man? We call it Justice.” </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">(Paul VI - (World Day
of Peace, 1972.)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Franciscans understand that peace is much more that the
absence of conflict, whether it be war between nations or disagreements between
people.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The underlying nature of true
peace, the kind that Jesus gives, is rooted in our understanding and acceptance
of God’s love for us and our care and concern for others—how we treat them—how
we interact with them—how we think about them. To paraphrase an old saying, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Peace begins at home.”</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">However, sometimes the appearance of peace can be
deceiving.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In the person, like in
nations, a seemingly quiet exterior betrays what lies underneath.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I live near the Mississippi River.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>On a quiet, calm summer day, the surface of
the river looks tranquil as it flows from 1.2 to 3 miles an hour; but we know
that beneath that quiet surface lurks a current that is extremely strong with dangerous
eddies and submerged obstacles, all of which can cause a disaster for one who
has wandered too far into the stream.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Just so, the quiet calm of a person’s visage and the lack of fighting
between nations betray the violent tendencies that may lie beneath the surface.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>That violence in a person makes it easier to
accept violence between nations as a solution to conflicts and problems.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Violence has many faces:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>oppression of the poor, deprivation of basic
human rights, economic exploitation, sexual exploitation and pornography,
neglect or abuse of the aged and the helpless, and innumerable other acts of inhumanity.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Abortion, in particular, blunts a sense of
the sacredness of human life</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk508179542">(The
Challenge of Peace: God’s Promise and Our Response; USCCB, 1983; 285.)</a></span></i></span></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">These attitudes are not just societal or community issues;
they begin in the heart of individual persons.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>“</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">For out of the heart come evil thoughts--murder, adultery, sexual
immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">(Matthew 15:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>19; New International Bible.)<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Consequently, we recognize that our inter-relationships can
be the root of many other problems—our individual attitudes about others may
create a “violence” that may even be unknown to us.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Part of our goal, then, is to eliminate where possible, at
least reduce, the “eddies and obstacles” that lie beneath the surface of our
personal demeanor—attitudes that include not just the list from the Bishops but
more personal ones like snarky comments, impatience, anger, pride, gossip, and
so on—anything that demeans the other person.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>We must address our own individual biases, prejudices, and improperly
formed consciences that can lead to thoughtless actions toward others.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">All of the values we are promoting in
this letter rest ultimately in the disarmament of the human heart and the
conversion of the human spirit to God who alone can give authentic peace.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Indeed, to have peace in our world, we must
first have peace within ourselves.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As
Pope John Paul II reminded us in his 1982 World Day of Peace message, world
peace will always elude us until peace becomes a reality for each of us
personally.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“It springs from the
dynamism of free wills guided by reason towards the common good that is to be
attained in truth, justice, and love.”<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Interior peace becomes possible only when we have a conversion of
spirit.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We cannot have peace with hate
in our hearts</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>(<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk508352206">Challenge of Peace; op. cit.; </a>284.)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To find the peace that eludes the world, we are challenged to
begin within our own sphere of influence by reducing and eliminating those
areas that cause bitterness, estrangement, and even violence between us and the
people whom we encounter every day.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We must believe in the sacredness of all human life! </span></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Especially as
Franciscans, we see in the other person the image of poor Christ.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We treat the other person with great respect,
love, joy, and humility.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Most certainly,
we protect the most vulnerable among us—the preborn, the disabled, the elderly,
the poor, the homeless, the dying.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We must pray! </span></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">A conversion of our hearts and minds
make it possible for us to enter into a closer communion with our Lord.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We nourish that communion by personal and
communal prayer, for it is in prayer that we encounter Jesus who is our peace
and learn from him the way to peace.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">(Challenge of Peace; op. cit.; 290.)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We must make sincere and good
acts of penance!</i></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Prayer by itself in incomplete
without penance.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Penance directs us
toward our goal of putting on the attitudes of Jesus himself.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Because we are all capable of violence, we
are never totally conformed to Christ and are always in need of
conversion.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>(</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Challenge of Peace; op. cit.; 297.)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Not only must we work on individual violence, we must find
ways to deal with our community conflicts as well.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The practice of non-violence is an effective
means to resolve conflicts.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This does
not mean that one becomes namby-pamby in addressing injustice or conflict.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Non-violence
is not the way of the weak, the cowardly, or the impatient.”</i> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">(<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk508181672">Challenge of Peace; op. cit.; 222</a>.)</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Gandhi & King are modern examples of non-violent approaches to grave
injustice in their societies.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So, we participate
in non-violent expressions of concern, maybe even outrage, over the injustices
that our society contains.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">But the same approach works in personal relationships as
well. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">[The] arts of diplomacy,
negotiation, and compromise must be developed and fully exercised.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></i>(</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Challenge of Peace; op.
cit.; 222.) </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">For
example, instead of arguing with the other person trying to prove how right we
are, we listen actively to their concerns and then enter into a dialogue with
them to resolve the issues between us. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our Rule reminds us, in many ways, of our Franciscan
responsibility to reach for these goals:</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">5. Secular Franciscans, therefore,
should seek to encounter the living and active person of Christ in their
brothers and sisters, in Sacred Scripture, in the Church, and in liturgical
activity.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">7.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>United by their vocation as "brothers and sisters of penance"
and motivated by the dynamic power of the gospel, let them conform their
thoughts and deeds to those of Christ by means of that radical interior change
which the gospel calls "conversion."<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Human frailty makes it necessary that this conversion be carried out
daily.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>On this road to renewal the
sacrament of reconciliation is the privileged sign of the Father's mercy and
the source of grace. </span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">12.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Witnessing to the good yet to come and obligated to acquire purity of
heart because of the vocation they have embraced, they should set themselves
free to love God and their brothers and sisters.</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">14.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Secular Franciscans, together with all people of good will, are called
to build a more fraternal and evangelical world so that the kingdom of God may
be brought about more effectively.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Mindful that anyone "who follows Christ, the perfect man, becomes
more of a man himself," let them exercise their responsibilities
competently in the Christian spirit of service.</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">15.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Let them individually and collectively be in the forefront in promoting
justice by the testimony of their human lives and their courageous
initiatives.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Especially in the field of
public life, they should make definite choices in harmony with their faith.</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">19.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Mindful that they are bearers of peace which must be built up
unceasingly, they should seek out ways of unity and fraternal harmony through
dialogue, trusting in the presence of the divine seed in everyone and in the
transforming power of love and pardon. Messengers of perfect joy in every
circumstance, they should strive to bring joy and hope to others.</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After meditating on these ideas, we readily understand why we
Franciscans pair up the ideas of Justice and Peace; because one without the
other is not possible.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As we journey in
Francis’s footsteps, we realize that our individual attitudes and responses toward
others can create violence at the personal level.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So, we work individually and fraternally to
overcome these weaknesses in our character and behaviors.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We embrace the other person with love and
joy.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We look for the lepers in our lives
and find ways to help them grow, improve and become whole.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We bring them the joy, hope, and peace of
Jesus!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And in this action—this way of living—we find, for ourselves,
that same peace that Jesus gives—the inner peace that allows us to confront the
world with the calm joy, assurance, and resolve that Francis emulates.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pace e Bene!</span></span></i></b></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>Dennis R. Dowell, ofshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354607959021329829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174566589415269580.post-48155343029796746902018-02-26T17:16:00.002-06:002018-02-26T17:16:58.472-06:00Justice, Peace, & Integrity of Creation - JUSTICE
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<span style="font-family: "Brush Script MT"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Peace</span></div>
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</w:wrap></v:imagedata></v:shape><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Justice, Peace & Integrity of
Creation <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(JPIC).</i><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>These are important words in our Franciscan
charism--important words that outline our outreach to others and the whole
world.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Years ago, these areas were
managed by different Apostolic Commissions—Work, Family, Justice & Peace,
and Ecology.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In October 2007, these four
commissions were consolidated into the Committee that we have today:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>JPIC </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">(History of the SFO and Its Rules,
William Wicks, 23 MAR 2011).</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The leader of the JPIC Committee at each
Fraternity level is called an Animator.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Carolyn D. Townes, O.F.S. is the NAFRA JPIC Animator.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Each local
Fraternity should have its own JPIC Animator.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>I hold that position for St. Elizabeth of Hungary Fraternity in Quincy and for Franciscans of the Prairie Regional Fraternity in West Central Illinois.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought that we could learn a little
more about JPIC in our Order by reflecting upon the three elements of its title. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As framework for this
discussion, we should understand what the NAFRA JPIC Mission Statement is:</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 28.8px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The mission of JPIC is to assist the Professed
Secular Franciscans as they reflect on their relationship with God as
manifested in the fruits of conversion in their lives. This [mission is
engaged] with special regard to the daily choices [they make] in the areas of
justice, peace-making and respect for all created things and people; as
brothers and sisters of penance, bringing life to the Gospel and the Gospel to
Life </span></em><em><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">(https://sites.google.com/site/jpic4ofs/about).</span></em></span><i><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our Rule reminds us:</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 28.8px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Mindful that they are bearers of peace which
must be built up unceasingly, they should seek out ways of unity and fraternal
harmony through dialogue, trusting in the presence of the divine seed in
everyone and in the transforming power of love and pardon. Messengers of
perfect joy in every circumstance, they should strive to bring joy and hope to
others.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></em><em><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">(Article 19)</span></em></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 28.8px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Let them individually and collectively be in
the forefront in promoting justice by the testimony of their human lives and
their courageous initiatives. Especially in the field of public life, they
should make definite choices in harmony with their faith. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></em><em><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">(Article
15)</span></em></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First, we reflect on Justice.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The secular world has its definition of justice: </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 38.4px 10.66px 28.8px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The
maintenance or administration of what is </span></i><a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/just#h1"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">just</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting
claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments--meting out
justice--social justice </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">(Merriam-Webster).</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Generally, this means that someone who has
committed a crime is tried and convicted or acquitted.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Even the concept of “social justice” in this
framework leaves winners and losers, the concept being that “you may not merit”
a reward because of who or what you are.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Church has a different view on
“justice.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Here is what Pope Francis
said on May 12, 2015: </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #414042; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“We are all equal – all of us – but this truth is not
recognized, this equality is not recognized, and for this reason some people
are, we can say, happier than others. But this is not a right! We all have the
same rights. When we do not see this, society is unjust. It does not follow the
rule of justice, and where there is no justice, there cannot be peace. I would
like to repeat this with you: where there is no justice, there is no peace!”</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="right" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 28.8px 25.6px; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #414042; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">-- </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #414042; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Audience
with children of the Peace Factory</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The ultimate justice, in God’s view, is the salvation
of people—returning all people to the fold, as it were, where God’s Grace and
Love will have their complete and full effect—where we, everyone in the whole
world, return to the original state of grace found in the Garden of Eden.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #414042; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The salvation offered in its fullness to men in Jesus
Christ by God the Father's initiative, and brought about and transmitted by the
work of the Holy Spirit, is salvation for all people and of the whole person:
it is universal and integral salvation. It concerns the human person in all his
dimensions: personal and social, spiritual and corporeal, historical and transcendent.</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="right" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #414042; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the
Church, Part 1, Chapter 1, III.b.</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even though this ultimate condition will be realized
at the end of time, we have an obligation to work toward its fulfillment in our
lives today.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So, in a parlance known
well in this country, not only are “all [people] created equal,” but all people
should be treated equally as well.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>When
we Franciscans talk about justice, we incorporate the understanding that God
loves us so completely that he wants us only to return to him.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Our response to this great love is </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">to seek justice
in our interactions with all others;</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">to treat them as
we wish to be treated;</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">to look for ways
to serve them and make their lives better;</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">to follow so
closely in Francis’ footsteps that we mirror Christ, just like he did.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How do we
do this?</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 28.8px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Beloved, let us love one another, because
love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. </span></i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="70004008"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Whoever is
without love does not know God, for God is love. </span></i></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="70004009"></a><span style="margin: 0px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In this way the love of God was
revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life
through him.</span></i></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="70004010"></a><span style="margin: 0px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> In this is love: not that we
have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our
sins.</span></i></span><span style="margin: 0px;"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="70004011"></a><span style="margin: 0px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> </span></i></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love
one another. </span></i></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="70004012"></a><span style="margin: 0px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">No one has ever seen God. Yet,
if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to
perfection in us.</span></i></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="right" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 28.8px 10.66px; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">1 John 4:</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>7-12 </span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 28.8px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="70004019"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We
love because he first loved us. </span></i></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="70004020"></a><span style="margin: 0px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">If
anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever
does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God</span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/1john/4#70004020-1"><span style="color: #333333; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">*</span></a> whom he has not seen.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="70004021"> <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This is the commandment
we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.</a> </span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div align="right" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 28.8px 10.66px; text-align: right;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 John 4:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>19-21</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">When we reflect upon the words of St. Paul about
charity (love), we realize the immensity of our obligation </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">(1
Corinthians 13: 4-6).</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>For treating all people with patience,
kindness, without jealousy, without being pompous & inflated, not seeking
our own interests, nor being quick tempered, nor brooding over injury, nor
rejoicing over wrongdoing, but rejoicing with the truth becomes a major
challenge for us.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Hearkening back to the
Rule, Article 15, we are not just to do these things but must “be in the
forefront” of doing them.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In other
words, we take the lead in promoting these qualities—we become the models--the
examples--a people so imbued with these qualities that our quiet lives of
service display a character quite opposed to the ways of this world and show to
all peoples Jesus actively living and working today.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">When taken from the larger view, this call appears to
be such a gargantuan task that it must be impossible to achieve.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But we Franciscans know that the way to eat
an elephant is to take one small bite at a time.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So, our approach to this challenge is to look
at our own lives and determine each day how we can live and promote justice in
our own sphere.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We ask ourselves
questions like, “How do I treat all people I meet today with patience?” </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Yes, even the guy who pulls out in front of
me causing me to jam on my brakes—and then turns at the next corner without a
turn signal—causing me to jam on my brakes again.!); or, </i><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">“How do I treat all people I meet today with kindness</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">?”<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>(Yes, even the lady with three unruly kids in the grocery store aisle!) </i><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Well, you get
the idea.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">St. Paul’s list is an excellent measuring stick for
our daily reconciliation.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>When we
approach our daily lives like this, </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">we enable others
to see what the Franciscan charism is all about;</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">we show them the
justice of the church and how it is so much different that the justice of
society;</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">we exemplify the
good life of a Franciscan and preach with an example that speaks so loudly that
no one can hear what we are saying.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Then, in our Fraternities, we join with like-minded
Franciscans and branch out to the greater community performing works of service
and charity to all of those in need, whether physical, social, community, or
spiritual.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>To make an even greater
impact, our Fraternities join with others in the Region.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Like the Franciscans of the Prairie Region
Mission Statement says, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">“…<i>we intend to spread, like the
prairie fire of old, cleansing the earth and nourishing the land with His
Word.”</i><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Then, all the Regions and National
Fraternities unite in service to increase the witness to our country and to the
world.</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>When we follow
St. Paul’s ideas at the personal level, we transform our corner of the world
into a place where all people are valued and cared for!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>When we profess to live this Franciscan life,
we accept our Rule in its entirety so that we live out this small phrase:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><em><span style="margin: 0px;">"Let them individually
and collectively be in the forefront in promoting justice by the testimony of
their human lives and their courageous initiatives.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As we approach each day of our lives with
this challenge foremost in our minds, we do make a difference and change the
world.</span></em></span><em><span style="font-style: normal; margin: 0px;"></span></em></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>Dennis R. Dowell, ofshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354607959021329829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174566589415269580.post-28714562310900781722018-02-26T17:10:00.001-06:002018-03-01T11:12:43.283-06:00Reflections of the Rule - Chapter 2 - Article 6<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">6. They have been made living members of the Church by being
buried and raised with Christ in baptism; they have been united more intimately
with the Church by profession.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Therefore, they should go forth as witnesses and instruments of her
mission among all people, proclaiming Christ by their life and words. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Called like Saint Francis to rebuild the
Church and inspired by his example, let them devote themselves energetically to
living in full communion with the pope, bishops, and priests, fostering an open
and trusting dialog of apostolic effectiveness and creativity.</span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">As we continue to consider our Way of Life, we
recognize that we are part of the Church because of our Baptism.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>When we Professed to live as Franciscans, we
accepted a “more intimate” relationship with the Church, that is, we committed
to be more faithful to the Church and its teachings.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Part of our responsibility, then, is to more
fully understand what the Church says and what it teaches about the conditions
of life and what our response as faithful Christians is supposed to be.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How are we to reach this understanding?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It’s simply called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ongoing formation</i>.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Ongoing
formation is not just about the old stories of St. Francis and St. Clare and
adoring their wonderful examples.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Ongoing formation includes further study of the Holy Scriptures, the
documents of the Church (most especially the Vatican Documents & all of the
Encyclicals written since then), the teachings of our Pope, the Bishops, and
our Pastors, and delving more deeply into the Franciscan Rule, General Constitutions,
and various Statutes.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>With our serious
study and understanding of these teachings (the Magisterium), we become more
knowledgeable about what the Church teaches and more capable of explaining the
teachings and the reasons for them to all of those outside the Church who may
be more inclined to accept the secular view of today’s world.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As we gain knowledge, we can begin to “…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">go forth as witnesses and instruments of [the
Church’s] mission among all people, proclaiming Christ by [our] life and words.</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Article 17 of the OFS Constitutions reminds us,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; margin: 0px;">1.</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; margin: 0px;">Rule 6</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; margin: 0px;"> Called to work together in building up
the Church as the sacrament of salvation for all and, through their baptism and
profession, made "witnesses and instruments of her mission," Secular
Franciscans proclaim Christ by their life and words.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We are not just a prayer group!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We study the Magisterium of the Church and we
live what we have learned so that we can bring a strong, positive witness of
the true mission of Christ to the world.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>We are instruments of the mission when we accept the challenge to not only
live a good life, but to help the poor, give a drink to the thirsty, welcome
strangers, feed the hungry, cloth the naked, visit the imprisoned & sick
and effectively care for “…</span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">one of these least
brothers of mine</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">(Matt 25:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>40)<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We study, and then we act!<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>In so doing, we provide a living witness of the mission of the Church,
which is Christ’s mission.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The Church
reminds us of this obligation when it states:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; margin: 0px;">For lay people, "this
evangelization . . . acquires a specific property and peculiar efficacy because
it is accomplished in the ordinary circumstances of the world." (</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; margin: 0px;">CCC 905).</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Well, that is why we are called Secular
Franciscans after all.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We live and work
in the world—today’s secular world.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We
live out the OFS Motto, “From Gospel to Life and Life to Gospel.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Now, before you get all flustered and shout,
“Well, I can’t do it all by myself!”, let’s take a quick look at the last
sentence of 17.1 in the Constitutions:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; margin: 0px;">Their preferred apostolate is personal
witness<a href="file:///C:/Users/Dennis%20Dowell/Documents/Franciscan%20Groups%20&amp;%20Issues/Reflections%20on%20the%20Rule/Chapter%202;%20Article%206.docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">[1]</span></b></span></span></span></span></a></span></span> in the
environment in which they live and service for building up the Kingdom of God
within the situations of this world.</i></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It becomes quite clear that each of us selects
the areas of our own strength to perform these apostolates.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In other words, we simply ask the question,
“What am I good at?”, and then develop ourselves in that strength and offer it
up to the Church as a service and witness.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Maybe you really enjoy cooking—so, go volunteer at a soup kitchen.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Maybe you’re an expert carpenter—volunteer
with the Habitat for Humanity.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Maybe
you’re retired, but enjoy reading—volunteer as one of the reading helpers at
the public library or schools.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This list
is only exhausted by your own imagination and abilities.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The point is that we find something that
we’re good at, learn about it, and then do it.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Importantly, you are not alone in this
effort.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Look at 17.2 of the General
Constitutions:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; margin: 0px;">2.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The
preparation of the brothers and sisters for spreading the Gospel message "in
the ordinary circumstances of the world"</span></i><a href="file:///C:/Users/Dennis%20Dowell/Documents/Franciscan%20Groups%20&amp;%20Issues/Reflections%20on%20the%20Rule/Chapter%202;%20Article%206.docx" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">[2]</span></sup></b></span></span></sup></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; margin: 0px;"> and for collaborating in the catechesis within the ecclesial
communities should be promoted in the fraternities.</span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The fraternity should be encouraging and helping
you, not only determine what to do, but how to find the opportunities to
accomplish your goals.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In addition to these apostolate activities, we
are always aware of opportunities to reach out to the unchurched and the “left
the church” populations to explain and witness to them of the wonderful life
that we can live when we follow Christ.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; margin: 0px;">Lay people also fulfill their prophetic
mission by evangelization, "that is, the proclamation of Christ by word
and the testimony of life</span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; margin: 0px;">This witness of life, however, is not
the sole element in the apostolate; the true apostle is on the lookout for
occasions of announcing Christ by word, either to unbelievers . . . or to the
faithful.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; margin: 0px;">(CCC 905)</span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; margin: 0px;"></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">When we encounter a situation with others like
this, we share directly with them of the great goodness of Christ and to
demonstrate the joy of living that we have as a professed Secular
Franciscan.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So, our role of evangelizing
is twofold: witness through service and witness through dialogue and example.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; margin: 0px;">"The witness of a Christian life
and good works done in a supernatural spirit have great power to draw men to
the faith and to God."<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; margin: 0px;">(CCC 2044)</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; margin: 0px;"> </span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The last part of Article 6 explains,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Called like Saint Francis to rebuild the Church and inspired
by his example, let them devote themselves energetically to living in full
communion with the pope, bishops, and priests, fostering an open and trusting
dialog of apostolic effectiveness and creativity.</span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Our Perpetual Profession links us even closer to
the Church and its structure.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; margin: 0px;">[We] are joined in the visible structure
of the Church of Christ, who rules her through the Supreme Pontiff and the
bishops. Even though incorporated into the Church, one who does not however
persevere in charity is not saved. He remains indeed in the bosom of the
Church, but 'in body' not 'in heart.'" </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; margin: 0px;">(CCC 837)</span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; margin: 0px;"></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Because of our study, we understand what the
Church believes and teaches about all the great and important issues of our
times.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Because of our faithfulness, we
offer our loyalty to the Church, its Pope and Bishops, and have the courage to
defend it against those who would tear it down.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>We do not do this blindly, but with the knowledge of the Magisterium and
how it relates to modern life.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We
understand what Jesus taught and how St. Francis modeled that teaching.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So, we follow in Francis’ footsteps to follow
more closely the Risen Lord!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; margin: 0px;">The Church is essentially both human and
divine, visible but endowed with invisible realities, zealous in action and
dedicated to contemplation, present in the world, but as a pilgrim, so
constituted that in her the human is directed toward and subordinated to the
divine, the visible to the invisible, action to contemplation, and this present
world to that city yet to come, the object of our quest.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; margin: 0px;">(CCC 771)</span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; margin: 0px;"></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our Perpetual Profession allows us, instructs us,
and invites us to serve the Church in a more meaningful way beyond our
Baptism.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We live out this lofty goal
through our continued faithfulness to our Profession and in light of the simple
phrase mentioned earlier, “From Gospel to Life; From Life to Gospel.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In this way, we more fully become the
follower of St. Francis that we want to be and that he wants us to be.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 18.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Dennis%20Dowell/Documents/Franciscan%20Groups%20&amp;%20Issues/Reflections%20on%20the%20Rule/Chapter%202;%20Article%206.docx" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">[1]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>See <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rule</i>
1221, 17,3; <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Legend of the Three
Companions</i> 36; <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Second Letter to All
the Faithful</i> 53.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 18.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Dennis%20Dowell/Documents/Franciscan%20Groups%20&amp;%20Issues/Reflections%20on%20the%20Rule/Chapter%202;%20Article%206.docx" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">[2]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Lumen Gentium</span></i><span lang="DE" style="margin: 0px;"> 35.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Dennis R. Dowell, ofshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354607959021329829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174566589415269580.post-29786229764094340372018-02-26T17:07:00.000-06:002018-04-23T11:57:43.374-05:00Reflections on the Rule - Chapter 2 - Article 5<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">
<br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk481567990"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">5. Secular Franciscans, therefore, should seek to
encounter the living and active person of Christ in their brothers and sisters,
in Sacred Scripture, in the Church, and in liturgical activity.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The faith of St. Francis, who often said, </span></i></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk499735371"><span style="margin: 0px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">"I see
nothing bodily of the Most High Son of God in this world except His most holy
body and blood," </span></i></span></a><span style="margin: 0px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">should be the
inspiration and pattern of their Eucharistic life.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">As those who endeavor to follow in the footsteps
of St. Francis, we, like him, actively look for an encounter with the “living
and active person of Christ.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We are
familiar with the story of Francis’ first encounter with a poor beggar.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Through this incident we understand that
Francis saw Christ in that poor person and that encounter changed his entire
outlook about others.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Much later, when he wrote the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Canticle of the Creatures</i> he understood
in his heart how we see the Christ in everything – how, when we really humble
ourselves and truly love God more than anything and our neighbor more than
ourselves, we do find Christ.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>That is
truly our challenge as we live out our days stepping into those footsteps of
St. Francis – how do we see Christ in others.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>That paradigm shift in our thinking makes us treat others – all others
no matter who they are – even the beggars and lepers in our lives – the same
way we would if they were Christ Himself.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>We are reminded by St. Paul what Christ did for us when he became one of
us:</span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also your in Christ Jesus,</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Who, though he was in the
form of God,</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">did not regard equality
with God something to be grasped. </span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Rather, he emptied
himself,</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">taking the form of a
slave,</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">coming in human likeness;
</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">and found human in
appearance,</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">he humbled himself,</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">becoming obedient to
death, even death on a cross. </span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Because of this, God
greatly exalted him</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">and bestowed on him the
name</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">that is above every name,</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">that at the name of Jesus</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">every knee should bend, </span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">of those in heaven and on
earth and under the earth,</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">and every tongue confess
that</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Jesus Christ is Lord, </span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">to the glory of God the
Father.</span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0.5in 6pt; text-align: right;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Philippians 2: 5-11</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The Great and Glorious Creator God became one of
us poor, humble human beings.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As
Francis would say, “we are the vilest of creatures because of our sin.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But Christ didn’t have sin, nor did he
sin.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But by becoming one of us, he
showed us that he is a part of everyone – an internal resident in our psyche –
a blessing of God to each and every one of us created beings - in all of us no
matter who we are or where we are from.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>When we see Christ in everyone we meet and recognize how he humbled
himself to be one of us, how can we not treat others in a much different way –
with love:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Love is patient,
love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="54013005"><span style="margin: 0px;">it is not rude, it does
not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over
injury</span></a><span style="margin: 0px;">.</span> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="54013006"><span style="margin: 0px;">it does not rejoice over
wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.</span></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="54013007"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.</span></a><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span>Love
never fails. </span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0.5in 6pt; text-align: right;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Corinthians 12: 4-8</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Our entire
lives become one of looking for ways to serve others and always putting our own
needs in a secondary position.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Now, that
doesn’t mean that we neglect our lives, or stop eating correctly, or stop doing
those healthful habits that we need to do to maintain good health and physical
condition.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>On the contrary, we do those
things as well and offer ourselves to others in complete service and devotion
as though they were Christ Himself.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 48px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">…</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> in Sacred
Scripture, in the Church, and in liturgical activity.</span></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 48px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The Church "forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian
faithful... to learn the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ, by frequent
reading of the divine Scriptures. Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of
Christ</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">. (The Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC] 133)</span></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The Church reminds us that we find Jesus in
Sacred Scriptures.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Through our frequent
reading of the Scriptures, especially the Gospels, we find Jesus – his heart,
his life, his example, his guidance – that will help us follow the journey on
which St. Francis leads us.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The
Scriptures tell us about the life and mission of Jesus and the Church, through
its 2000-year Tradition, interprets for us how to find the “living, active
person of Christ.” Indeed, we see throughout the centuries, many fine examples
in all the Saints of the Church, people who have read the Scripture, listened
to the Church, and lived a life recommended by Christ.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Our own St. Francis, even to the point of
receiving the Stigmata, is an excellent example of this fact.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>That’s why we endeavor to follow Francis in
his journey to follow Christ.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">"Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is
at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us," is present in
many ways to his Church:</span></i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;"> </span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>in his word, in his Church's prayer,
"where two or three are gathered in my name,” <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>in the poor, the sick, and the imprisoned,</span></i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;"> </span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">in the sacraments of which he is the author, in the sacrifice of the
Mass, and in the person of the minister. But "he is present . . . most
especially in the Eucharistic species." (CCC 1373)</span></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We recognize that throughout all the Church’s
liturgical activity, we find the “living, active person of Christ.” <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">(NOTE: review CCC 1088.)</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Because we believe in the real presence
in the Eucharistic, we know that He is present in our church building every
time we enter – we see the light burning brightly in the Sanctuary.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Because of Francis’ example, we keep the
light burning brightly in our hearts as well, so that we, too, can claim, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"I see nothing bodily of the Most High
Son of God in this world except His most holy body and blood.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></i>But as we accept this belief and continue
our journey with Francis, we recognize that our living out this reality changes
the way we approach others and makes us more caring, loving, and serving
Franciscans – so that our Eucharistic life is not confined to the activities of
the Mass, but goes with us into the world as we take the Gospel to Life and
return Life to the Gospel.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Dennis R. Dowell, ofshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354607959021329829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174566589415269580.post-91329973784304415052017-12-04T15:50:00.000-06:002017-12-04T15:50:03.473-06:00They shall beat their swords into plowshares<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What are your swords? Do you actually have a sword? You know, one with both sides sharpened so that you can really do some heavy damage. Or, do you just use your money, power, tongue, sharp wit, sacarsam, or profanity to "cut" through your victim?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whatever your sword is the challenge of Isaiah's words is to give over that sword to Him who created all and let him remold it into a source of peace, mercy, and love. I often wonder just what the world would be like if we actually tried to use the Golden Rule, 1 Corinthians 13, and the two Great Commandments in our daily lives. I wonder what it would be like if we really treated the other person with the same sort of dignity that we demand for ourselves - if we put their needs ahead of our own - if we really became the servant of all.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It gives me some pause when I reflect on these ideas. Wouldn't it be just great if just a few people tried living this way during this year's Advent period. It might even catch on and start a trend. It might cause a revolution of kindness, caring, concern, and "nice" in today's pretty nasty climate. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, I challenge you, if you actually read this, to give it a try. All this week, try living like the Gospel says. If you make a mistake, apologize, start over, and keep trying. Let's begin a revolution of love.</span></div>
Dennis R. Dowell, ofshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354607959021329829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174566589415269580.post-73462632709036783582017-06-28T11:44:00.004-05:002018-02-26T17:21:34.258-06:00Reflections on the Rule - Chapter 2 - Article 4<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 9.33px 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Chapter Two: </span></b></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 9.33px 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Way of Life</span></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="Rule2"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">4. </span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The rule and life of the Secular Franciscans is this: to
observe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example of St.
Francis of Assisi <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk481137682">who made Christ the inspiration and
the center of his life with God and people. </a></span></i></span></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"></span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk481566308"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Christ, the gift of the Father's love, is the way
to him, the truth into which the Holy Spirit leads us, and the life which he
has come to give abundantly. </span></span></i></a></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"></span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk481567990"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Secular Franciscans should devote themselves
especially to careful reading of the gospel, going from gospel to life and life
to gospel. </span></span></i></a></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After reflecting upon St. Francis’ Letter and the
establishment clauses of this Rule, we move on to the important, one might even
say, the “meat and potatoes’ of this guide to our lives as Franciscans.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Chapter Two instructs us how to live this way
of life in sixteen seemingly simple statements on various aspects of our
Franciscan life; but as we’ll see, these simple statements hold immense value
and impact on the changes that we will make daily as we endeavor to follow the
Franciscan path to holiness.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Following the Gospel is the first in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Way of Life</i> just because it is the root
of our being as Franciscans.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We will see
Gospel mentioned many times in both the Rule and the Constitutions, because,
when we follow in St. Francis’ footsteps, we must inexorably follow the Gospel
of “our Most Holy Lord Jesus Christ.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The General Constitutions have much to inform us
about living this Gospel Way of Life.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Notably,
this Rule 4 is specifically covered in Articles 8 and 9 of the General
Constitutions:</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They seek to deepen, in the light of faith, the values and
choices of the evangelical life according to the Rule of the OFS:</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">§<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Rule 7 in a
continually renewed journey of conversion and of formation;</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">§<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Rule 4.3 open to
the challenges that come from society and from the Church’s life situation,
“going from Gospel to life and from life to Gospel;”</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">§<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">In the personal
and communal dimensions of this journey” (GC 8.2)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Rule 4.3 The Secular Franciscan, committed to following the
example and the teachings of Christ, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk481568059">must personally
and assiduously study the Gospel and Sacred Scripture.</a><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The fraternity and its leaders should foster
love for the word of the Gospel and help the brothers and sister to know and
understand it as it is proclaimed by the Church with the assistance of the
Spirit.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>(GC 9.2)</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These are all pleasant words that sound good in a
church setting.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>What could possibly be
wrong with wanting to follow the Gospel message.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>That’s what we all do as Christians, isn’t
it?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Well, as I mentioned, these simple
phrases hold much deeper meaning and have a profound impact on how we live our lives.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Let’s just see how these simple words can make
a momentous change in our daily lives.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the first paragraph, we read that we are to
“observe the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Does this just mean “look at it”?<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>That is the fourth definition of “observe” in the Merriam-Webster
dictionary.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Number 1 is “to conform
one's action or practice to (something, such as a law, rite, or condition):
comply with.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“To conform” means that we
must be “obedient or compliant” with the Word of God.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We must change ourselves to become “…a new
creation.” (2 Cor 5:17).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Paul further
tells us, “…the old things have passed away; behold, new things have
come.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So, when we become Franciscan we
profess that we will completely change our lives, turning aside from all of our
old habits and ways and become a new person who desires to become just like
Christ.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>That’s exactly what St. Francis
did with his life! We probably should be asking ourselves at this juncture, “How
have I changed my life to conform to the Gospel?” or, “How do I evaluate my
daily actions, prior to making them, and then conform my life to the
Gospel?”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>By taking this approach to our
daily lives we would always consider before acting or saying, just like Jesus
did when confronted with the mob and the woman caught in adultery (John 8: 1 –
11).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If we all “wrote in the dirt”
before speaking and acting, we would have far fewer apologies to make, wouldn’t
we?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“…by following the example of Saint Francis of
Assisi…” is the next phrase we consider as we reflect on what we promised to do
in our profession.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Like most of us,
Francesco Bernadone lived a normal life as the son of a “prosperous silk
merchant” (Wikipedia) and did pretty well for himself. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>He enjoyed life and was the center of the
party in his younger days. Then, he joined the army and went off to war to
achieve fame and glory, just as we go off to work to achieve prosperity.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But then, he met Jesus! He gave up everything
to follow he Lord.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>He shows us how to
completely give over our lives to Jesus and make Him, the Word of God, the
center of our lives.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Now, we don’t have
to stand in the town square and return everything to our fathers like Francis
did, but we must turn our lives completely over to Jesus and give him
everything.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This action reminds me of
the contemporary song whose lyrics state, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All that we have and all that we offer</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Comes from a heart both frightened and free</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Take what we bring now and give what we need</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All done in His name.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">(All that we have, Gary Ault)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is what happens when we turn our lives over
to Jesus; when we follow St. Francis’ example.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Yes, it is scary to offer everything over to Christ, to give up complete
and total control over our lives; but, that is exactly what St. Francis did.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If we pledge to do this, how can we chose any
other way?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>When we live this way,<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>we are on the way to becoming saints.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have
been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place
call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours…<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>(1 Cor 1:2)</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There he is again, good old Paul urging us onward
to the final goal.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The Church, as well, recommending
Paul’s wise words in both <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lumen Gentium</i>
(#11) and the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Catechism of the Catholic
Church</i>(#2013) gently leads us toward saintly perfection.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">“…who made Christ the inspiration and the center of his life
with God and people.”</span></i><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The remainder of the first paragraph of Rule 4
reminds us that St. Francis accomplished this transformation by making Christ
the “inspiration and the center of his life” in everything that he did.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Not job. Not family. Not money. Not car. Not
iPhone. Not iPad. Not tennis, nor golf, nor basketball, nor football, nor
baseball.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>JESUS!!!!!!!!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>You will recall that some of St. Francis’
major decisions about how to proceed were make after consulting the
Gospel.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>That is why Pope Francis
encourages everyone to carry a pocket version of the Gospels with them, just so
that when we are confronted with any challenge, we can refer to the Gospels,
just like St. Francis did, for the answer.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>We ask ourselves, “How am I making Christ the center of every action,
relationship, decision, and exchange that I do?”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“What is keeping me from placing Christ at
the center of my life?”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“If Christ is
not the center of my life, how do I change?”</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The second paragraph of Rule 4 says,</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk481567544"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Christ, the gift of the Father's love, is the way
to him, the truth into which the Holy Spirit leads us, and the life which he
has come to give abundantly.</span></span></i></a></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These words sound strongly familiar to our ears,
and, well they should, for we find them in the Gospel of John, Chapter 14,
verse 6:</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the
life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The authors of our Rule have added a little extra
punch, if you will, to Jesus truthful words.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Christ is the “gift of the Father’s love.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Franciscan theology recognizes </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">(thank you
Blessed John Duns Scotus)</span></i><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> that “God became
one of his creatures” </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">(Christian Board)</span></i><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> because of love,
not sin.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So, Christ truly is the special
“gift of the Father’s love.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Now, that
may be a little redundant, but the belief behind this simple statement is critical
to understanding why St. Francis followed Jesus so closely.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Francis understood that God loved us so much
as his creation that he could do nothing else but come to earth to show us the full
extent of his love for us.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">According to Scotus, God’s first intention—from all
eternity—was that human nature be glorified by being united to the divine Word.
And this was to happen regardless of the first humans’ innocence or sinfulness.
To say that the Incarnation of Christ was an afterthought of God, dependent on
Adam’s fall, would be to base the rich Christian theology of incarnation on sin!
Theologians could come up with something better than that, and Duns Scotus did</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>(A Franciscan perspective on the Incarnation;
Christian Board)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Having that knowledge should dramatically change
our entire view of who Jesus is and why we follow him:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>LOVE.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Just
knowing this important truth should completely transform our lives into loving,
caring, sensitive, compassionate, and grateful creatures.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Christ…is the way to [God], the truth into which the Holy
Spirit leads us, and the life which he has come to give abundantly.</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We find our way to God by following Christ as we
pattern our lives after St. Francis.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As
we imitate St. Francis more closely we draw nearer to God turning our backs on
the enticements of this world.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As we do
that, we find the Holy Spirit out in front of us on our journey leading us to
the truth – the knowledge of the unchanging natural law that God established as
he created the universe. We encounter this truth in our lives as we pattern
them on St. Francis.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The ultimate reward
for this persistent encounter with God and His Truth is the abundant life with
Christ – “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so
prove to be My disciples.” (John 15:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>8)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The third paragraph of Rule 4 reminds us,</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Secular Franciscans should devote themselves especially to
careful reading of the gospel, going from gospel to life and life to gospel.</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You will remember that the General Constitutions
instruct us that we “…must personally and assiduously study the Gospel and
Sacred Scripture.” (9.2) How else are we to figure out how to go from “Gospel to
Life and Life to Gospel?”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We need to
know what the Gospels and Holy Scripture say and mean before we can live this
challenging life of becoming Franciscan.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As we study the scriptures and
apply their meaning to our lives, we can change our outlook and thus our
interactions.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As we reflect on the
message of God’s love for His creation, we can emulate St. Francis example of
following Jesus and his extreme care and concern for all of creation.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As we live this life, we bring back to the
Gospel our experience; then, we can evaluate what we have done and make the
necessary corrections.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>After this
re-evaluation,<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>we return
to life with a refreshed perspective about how much God really loves all of his
creation and we can treat it all accordingly.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>To put it simply, we learn about Gospel living, we try doing it, we come
back to measure what we have done against what we have learned, make
corrections, and then, repeat the cycle. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, you see how these “simple words” challenge us
to transform our lives completely and conform ourselves to a life of constant
evaluation against the measuring stick of St. Francis, which is a measure
against the life of Christ.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Rule 4 is
the general overview of our Life as Franciscans.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The remaining fifteen rules delve into the
details of our Franciscan life as we will see in subsequent “Reflections on the
Rule.”</span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>Dennis R. Dowell, ofshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354607959021329829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174566589415269580.post-76518827955456274922017-06-28T11:42:00.000-05:002018-04-23T11:57:59.250-05:00Reflections on the Rule - Chapter 1 - Article 3<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 9.33px 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Chapter One: </span></b></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 9.33px 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Secular Franciscan Order</span></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="Rule2"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">3.</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The present Rule, succeeding "Memoriale Propositi"
(1221) and the Rules approved by the Supreme Pontiffs Nicholas IV and Leo XIII,
adapts the Secular Franciscan Order to the needs and expectations of the Holy Church
in the conditions of changing times. Its interpretation belongs to the Holy See
and its application will be made by the General Constitutions and particular
statutes.</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This Rule is
necessary for a couple of reasons: 1) to demonstrate that the Secular
Franciscan order has continued from the very beginning by a request from St.
Francis in 1221 and has continued over the years with several updates; 2) that
this “new” Rule replaces all of the previous Rules and is now the guiding Rule
for all Secular Franciscans.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Rules
replaced by this Rule are the original written in 1221, the Rules approved by
Pope Nicholas IV in 1289 and by Pope Leo XIII in 1883.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The present Rule was approved by Pope Paul VI
on June 24, 1978.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The original rule
“Memoriale Propositi” was written in 1221 by Cardinal Hugolino dei Conti di Segni(Pope
Gregory IX) at the request of St. Francis of Assisi.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In those times, we were called the Brothers
& Sisters of Penance – later the Third Order of St. Francis.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Chapter headings are Daily Life, Abstinence,
Fasting, Prayer, The Sacraments--Other Matters, Special Mass and Meeting Each
Month, Visiting the Sick and Burying the Dead, and Correction, Dispensation,
Officers.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This Rule followed St.
Francis’ Exhortation to the Brothers and Sisters in Penance from 1210 – 1215
that we know as the Prologue to our Rule of today.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This Rule was promoted by Cardinal Hugolino
and verbally approved by Pope Honorious III.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The second rule,
the one from 1289, was approved by Nicholas IV, the first Franciscan Pope.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This Rule established some items that had
been in question up until that time:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>the
monthly meeting needed a visitator who was from the Order of Friars Minor; the
somewhat “independent” Penitentials were corralled under the supervision of the
OFM; affirmed that the group is Franciscan having been formulated by St.
Francis; designated the habit as gray; gave the order a more religious nature;
and, allowed both the original “home church” and community life to develop.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Following a
decline in Third Order participation in the 18<sup>th</sup> and 19th Centuries,
the Rule approved by Pope Leo in 1883 was shorter and less rigorous that the
Rule of Nicholas.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Pope Leo was a
“convinced, enthusiastic and tenacious supporter” of the Third Order.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>He promoted participation in the Third
Order.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The entire idea was to make this
Rule appealing enough to involve many Catholics.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>He even “…involved the entire episcopate in
the propagation of the Franciscan Third Order.”<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Over the years, the Third Order moved toward a more devotional approach in
its mission.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Following Vatican
II, an extensive multi-year project began with several iterations of the Rule
being proposed, reviewed, critiqued, revised, and re-proposed.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This process even included the input of lay
people (folks who would be living it). This Assisi Congress of 1969 developed
17 essential points of Franciscan spirituality.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The project being completed in 1978, was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on
June 24.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The current Rule transitions
the Order “from a ‘less devotional’ to a ‘more apostolic’ Order.”</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, today we have
a Rule of Life that began as a simple project by St. Francis to help folks live
a more Franciscan way.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Under this Rule,
we are all more involved in apostolic activities.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>May we spend time each
day studying our Rule and finding new ways to go from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gospel to Life and Life to Gospel</i>.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(ED NOTE: The
information presented in this article is take from William Wicks, OFS excellent
work “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Brief History of the Secular
Franciscan Order and Its Rules.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></i>This
can be found on the internet by browsing for the title.)</span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>Dennis R. Dowell, ofshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354607959021329829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174566589415269580.post-74245615436259917342017-06-28T11:39:00.002-05:002018-02-26T17:07:57.542-06:00Reflections on the Rule - Chapter 1 - Article 2<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 9.33px 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Chapter One: </span></b></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 9.33px 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Secular Franciscan Order</span></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="Rule2"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2. The Secular Franciscan Order holds a special place in this
family circle. It is an organic union of all Catholic fraternities scattered
throughout the world and open to every group of the faithful. In these fraternities
the brothers and sisters, led by the Spirit, strive for perfect charity in
their own secular state. By their profession they pledge themselves to live the
gospel in the manner of Saint Francis by means of this rule approved by the
Church.</span></span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our General Constitutions remind us </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">From the beginning, the Secular Franciscan Order has had its
own proper place in the Franciscan Family.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>It is formed by the organic union of all the Catholic fraternities whose
members, moved by the Holy Spirit, commit themselves through profession to live
the Gospel in the manner of St. Francis, in their secular state, following the
Rule approved by the Church</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>(Article 2.3.)</span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What all of this tells us is that we, the Secular
Franciscan Order, are a unitive part of the Franciscan order.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We belong together in a family with all of
the Friars, Brothers, and Sisters.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Our
branch is a world-wide organization dedicated to living "...the gospel in
the manner of Saint Francis..."<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>To
do this we have a Rule that is approved by the Church.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Although this article of our Rule seems to be
just an organizational statement, there is much more behind it than that.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>For example, in our General Constitutions are
cited two paragraphs from the Code of Canon Law that are relevant to this
article.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Can. 303 Associations whose members share in the spirit of
some religious institute while in secular life, lead an apostolic life, and
strive for Christian perfection under the higher direction of the same
institute are called third orders or some other appropriate name.</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Can. 602 The life of brothers or sisters proper to each
institute, by which all the members are united together as a special family in
Christ, is to be defined in such a way that it becomes a mutual support for all
in fulfilling the vocation of each. Moreover, by their communion as brothers or
sisters rooted and founded in charity, members are to be an example of
universal reconciliation in Christ.</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Even our own General Constitutions 2000 discuss
our secular status as we form together in association with each other.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Their secularity, with respect to vocation and to apostolic
life, expresses itself according to the respective state, that is:</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>— for the laity,
contributing to building up the Kingdom of God by their presence in their
life-situations and in their temporal activities;</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">— for the secular clergy, by offering to the people of God
the service which is properly theirs, in communion with the bishop and the
presbytery. </span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Both are inspired by the gospel options of Saint Francis of
Assisi, committing themselves to continue his mission with the other components
of the Franciscan Family. </span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, you see that our second article is much more
than just a statement of existence--it goes to the very heart of who we are as
Secular Franciscans.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This kind of
statement in the business world is called an executive summary.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Contained therein is the essence of what the
entire document is all about.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So we see
that Chapter Two covers the details of "[living] the Gospel in the manner
of St. Francis" and Chapter Three covers a broad view of what fraternity
is all about.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Let's take a brief look at the important points
of these passages:</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">"...<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a
special place in this family circle</i>":<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The Secular Franciscan Order originally was begun as the Brothers &
Sisters of Penance in 1221 by St. Francis; over the years, and especially,
since this "new" Rule was promulgated in 1978 by Pope Paul VI, the
Secular Franciscan Order has become a unified association of secular people
(not religious priests, friars, brothers, or sisters) who meet together as
fraternities to learn how to live in the manner of St. Francis;<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>as one of the "orders" begun by St.
Francis, the Secular Franciscan Order is a full partner with the religious
orders in the Franciscan family; our "special place" is due to our
witness in the everyday world of work and society;</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">"...<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">organic
union of all Catholic fraternities</i>":<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The Secular Franciscan Order is a world-wide association of mostly lay Catholics
who subscribe to this Rule and meet together as fraternities in around 66
countries totaling 400,000 members;<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>according to CIOFS from a couple of years ago, we also have around 26
emerging national fraternities and four additional nations exploring forming a
national fraternity;</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">"...<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">led
by the Spirit, strive for perfect charity, in their own secular state</i>":<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Individually, we are led by the Spirit to a
moment of conversion that, through our special personal relationship with
Jesus, we determine that we should follow in St. Francis footsteps to be able
to follow Jesus more closely; through our understanding and following this Rule
we continually strive to live a life of perfect charity - a life that fully
respects all others as a child of God, our brother or sister, even Jesus
Himself; and, we do all of this while living our regular day to day lives in
our families, at work, at play, at church, at school, and with everyone we
meet; </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">"<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">By
their profession</i>...": We pledge on our honor to live by the tenets of
this Rule; this is a perpetual profession, which means it's forever - every day
of our lives while we are on this earth;</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>"...<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pledge themselves to live the Gospel</i>...":
Our profession takes on the special character of adding the Gospel message to
our lives in a particular way so that through our living we demonstrate what
the Gospel message is all about.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We
become faithful witnesses to Jesus' simple message of loving God and loving
others;</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">"...<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in
the manner of St. Francis</i>...":<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>As we live this Rule, our promise to live this Gospel life, endeavors to
follow St. Francis of Assisi and his particular charism of simplicity, love of
all creatures, care for the poor, and obedience to the Church;</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">"...<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rule
approved by the Church</i>.":<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This
Rule of Life is sanctioned by the Church having been promulgated by Pope Paul
VI in 1978; this tells us that the Church supports and approves our efforts to
follow this Rule of St. Francis for the Secular Franciscan Order because it
conforms to the theology and characteristics of what we have been taught in the
Magisterium, the Code of Canon Law and the Catechism.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The earlier quotations from the Code of Canon
Law give support to this concept.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Consequently, the statements of the Pope and his Bishops are an
important part of our order.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, you can readily see that this simple
paragraph at the beginning of our Rule is just chocked full of important
information about who we are and what we do.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>One could surmise that this paragraph by itself would be enough to live
by, but we know that the details that we will discuss in future months will
really help clarify our standard of Franciscan life.</span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>Dennis R. Dowell, ofshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354607959021329829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174566589415269580.post-5167728515132274322017-06-28T11:38:00.001-05:002018-02-26T17:07:43.198-06:00Reflections on the Rule - Chapter 1 - Article 1<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 9.33px 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Chapter One: </span></b></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 9.33px 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Secular Franciscan Order</span></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: .25in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The Franciscan family, as one among many spiritual families
raised up by the Holy Spirit in the Church, unites all members of the people of
God -- laity, religious, and priests - who recognize that they are called to
follow Christ in the footsteps of Saint Francis of Assisi. </span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: .25in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In various ways and forms but in life-giving union with each
other, they intend to make present the charism of their common Seraphic Father
in the life and mission of the Church. </span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: .25in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Code of Canon Law says, "All the
Christian faithful must make an effort, in accord with their own condition, to
live a holy life and to promote the growth of the Church and its continual
sanctification." <sup>(210)</sup> "The Christian faithful have the
right to worship God according to the prescriptions of their own rite approved
by the legitimate pastors of the Church, and to follow their own form of
spiritual life consonant with the teaching of the Church." <sup>(214)</sup><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Lumen Gentium</span></i><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> teaches us,
"It is therefore quite clear that all Christians in any state or walk of
life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of
love, and by this holiness a more human manner of life is fostered also in
earthly society." <sup>(40)</sup></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><sup><br /></sup></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our own General Constitutions explain, "All
the faithful are called to holiness and have a right to follow their own spiritual
way in communion with the Church. <sup>(1)</sup> <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>"There are many spiritual families in the
Church with different charisms.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Among
these families, the Franciscan Family, which in its various branches recognizes
St. Francis of Assisi as its father, inspiration, and mode., must be included."
<sup>(2)</sup></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span></sup></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From the outset, we see clearly that the Church
asks all of its members to seek holiness.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>We see that each Christian is called to follow their own "form of
spiritual life" to reach this goal.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>We see that those who do follow the prescript of love will convert all
of human society. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We see that our order,
the Franciscan Family, is rightfully a legitimate part of the Church.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Then, our Rule further illuminates these
concepts with more detail:</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We are "raised up by the Holy
Spirit".<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This is not just some
human idea for a party.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>No, this order,
this Family, is created by the Holy Spirit for the purpose reaching toward this
goal of holiness and leading others to do the same.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We are joined together as a family with all the
folks who have chosen St. Francis of Assisi - laity, religious, and priests -
as their model.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We are equally working
together to bring Francis' charism into the world.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We are a spiritual family.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We are joined together by the Holy Spirit in
a common purpose.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We are no less family
than the one we were born into, but we rise above that human familial
relationship to one of higher and greater purpose.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We all come from different backgrounds and
associate with each other in different ways:<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Friars, Poor Clares, Third Order Religious, and Seculars; but
nonetheless, we join together as a unified Institute of the Church that seeks
to provide the life-giving charisms exemplified by St. Francis.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">As we join together we intend to permeate the
life and the mission of the Church with St. Francis' charism.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">All of this together is our way of following more
closely our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>This is the most important part of our reason for being!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, as we look at the first paragraph of our
Rule, we find a lot to consider as we try to walk this path of "becoming
Franciscan." <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We see that this road
is a definite journey that will lead to a very satisfying ending, but the
challenges will be great, because we are following Francis to better follow
Jesus.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>By following Francis we recognize
that we are sinners and have a long way to go.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>But we know that the trip will be worth it.</span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>Dennis R. Dowell, ofshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354607959021329829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174566589415269580.post-90142388798399605292017-06-28T11:36:00.000-05:002017-06-28T11:36:12.453-05:00Reflections on the Rule - Prologue, part 2<div style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 81.0pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Prologue:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Exhortation of St. Francis to the Brothers</span></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>and
Sisters of Penance (circa 1210-1215)</span></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Concerning Those Who Do Not Do Penance</span></span></i></b></span><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></i><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But all those men and women who are not doing penance and do not receive the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ and live in vices and sin and yield to evil concupiscence and to the wicked desires of the flesh, and do not observe what they have promised to the Lord, and are slaves to the world, in their bodies, by carnal desires and the anxieties and cares of this life.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> These are blind, because they do not see the true light, our Lord Jesus Christ; they do not have spiritual wisdom because they do not have the Son of God who is the true wisdom of the Father. Concerning them, it is said, "Their skill was swallowed up" and "cursed are those who turn away from your commands". They see and acknowledge, they know and do bad things and knowingly destroy their own souls.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">See, you who are blind, deceived by your enemies, the world, the flesh and the devil, for it is pleasant to the body to commit sin and it is bitter to make it serve God because all vices and sins come out and "proceed from the heart of man" as the Lord says in the Gospel. And you have nothing in this world and in the next, and you thought you would possess the vanities of this world for a long time.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> But you have been deceived, for the day and the hour will come to which you give no thought and which you do not know and of which you are ignorant. The body grows infirm, death approaches, and so it dies a bitter death, and no matter where or when or how man dies, in the guilt of sin, without penance or satisfaction, though he can make satisfaction but does not do it.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> The devil snatches the soul from his body with such anguish and tribulation that no one can know it except he who endures it, and all the talents and power and "knowledge and wisdom" which they thought they had will be taken away from them, and they leave their goods to relatives and friends who take and divide them and say afterwards, "Cursed be his soul because he could have given us more, he could have acquired more than he did." The worms eat up the body and so they have lost body and soul during this short earthly life and will go into the inferno where they will suffer torture without end.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> All those into whose hands this letter shall have come we ask in the charity that is God to accept kindly and with divine love the fragrant words of our Lord Jesus Christ quoted above. And let those who do not know how to read have them read to them.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> And may they keep them in their mind and carry them out, in a holy manner to the end, because they are "spirit and life".</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> And those who will not do this will have to render "an account on the day of judgment" before the tribunal of our Lord Jesus Christ.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, St. Francis really lowers the boom in this second half of the Prologue to our modern Rule.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The first section, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Concerning Those Who Do Penance," </i><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>explained a really pleasant, wonderful existence for those who followed Jesus words as Francis has prescribed.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But the contrast in this second half is really stark, a kind of a Twelfth Century "fire and brimstone" elocution.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For Francis it is not just avoiding penance nor receiving Holy Communion that is the problem, but it is falling into a secular lifestyle that basically says, "Whatever feels good, do it."<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Francis is fairly explicit about his definitions of this profligate life as well:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">"...</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">and live in vices and sin and yield to evil concupiscence and to the wicked desires of the flesh, and do not observe what they have promised to the Lord, and are slaves to the world, in their bodies, by carnal desires and the anxieties and cares of this life."</span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This description pretty clearly outlines a dissolute life, one that is far from the Gospel message of self giving sacrifice for others.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But, it's not just these fleshly desires that are the heart of the problem.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Francis excoriates them for being slaves to the "anxieties and cares of this life" as well.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>You see, Francis clearly supports the view that we must give over everything to God and trust Him completely as we go through our lives.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Recall the passages in Matthew about the lilies of the fields and the birds of the air.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Francis expects those who "do Penance" to fully and completely trust God in everything they do, to hold nothing back in reserve, and to give themselves over to service of God.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In today's society, that is just the antithesis of everything that we see happening.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Placing God first over everything else is so uncommon today that it seems counter-cultural. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Well, it is!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>And that is the point that Francis is making here.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We must turn against the world and rely on God for everything.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We must witness the total goodness, grace, and mercy of the Creator through our own self sacrifice and gift to others.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Those who are completely wrapped up in themselves and their own gratification are "blind" according to Francis.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They do not, even cannot, see the true light which is Jesus Christ.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Because of this blindness, they are not able to receive the true wisdom that only Jesus brings.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They have only the wisdom of the world, and, as we see from Francis' point of view, that's not the best way to go.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But it is even worse than that, because these people "see and acknowledge" but go ahead and make the decision to live the dissolute lifestyle anyway.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>These unfortunate souls effectively know what to do, but choose to do otherwise.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>These choices effectively "destroy their souls" and bring them ultimately to a sad ending.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Francis lists the causes of this deceptive thinking: your enemies, the world, the flesh, and the devil.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So, instead of listening to the Word, they adhere to all of these others sources of input and are led on the wide path instead of the narrow.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As we have already seen, they make these choices themselves and create the conditions for their own demise.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, Francis shows that there is a better way when he explains the purging effect of properly making the body serve God.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It can be a hard and bitter way to live, but ultimately, it is much better that sending your soul to hell.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>He even reminds us that to not follow the way of Penance is much like the farmer who had the bumper harvest and thought that he would live a long life and get to enjoy it all.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Francis' admonition reminds us that upon death all of that worldly accumulation stays behind and one's soul goes to the reward of its making; and, because one spends their entire life accumulating things and wonderful feelings, they have nothing in the next world either.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So, the life of Penance that helps us focus on the Good of God and helps us purge the attractions of this world doesn't really look so bad after all.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Despite this wonderful accumulation of goods, experiences, and good feelings, the eventual time comes when God calls us home.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>No one escapes this final event of earthly life. It is then that the deception of the world comes home to roost.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The person who has not practiced Penance has missed the many opportunities to rectify their situation, in fact they have deliberately chosen to not take advantage of this important sacrament.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Then, comes the "brimstone" part:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>"The devil snatches the soul from [their] body with such anguish and tribulation" and they end up without anything at all, no goods and no soul, and get to enjoy the "fires of hell."</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The stark contrast between the two sections of this Rule of Penance from 1215 is enough to scare you to death.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Well, maybe not that, but Francis clearly explains the dramatic difference between living a life of Penance and choosing to live the way of the world.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We may not think in this way much anymore, but Francis point should still be well taken.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The Gospel of Life is just that<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>: Good News that leads to eternal Life</u></i></b>.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If we choose "...</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> to accept kindly and with divine love the fragrant words of our Lord Jesus Christ ...,"</span></span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> we can expect an eternal reward commensurate with the kind of life that we have lived.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So, with this in mind, we can examine the precepts of our 1978 Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order with a view of learning how to live the life that St. Francis recommends and to avoid the consequences of making really bad choices.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>God give us the grace and wisdom to choose wisely!</span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />Dennis R. Dowell, ofshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354607959021329829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174566589415269580.post-59735912715190868582017-03-09T16:07:00.000-06:002019-10-14T09:27:14.684-05:00Peaceful coexistence <div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I can't help but wonder a little about how violent our language has become since the Presidential election. It surely seems that everyone is mad about something. As a society, we don't even seem to want to get along. No one trust anyone. Everyone is suspicious about the other's motives. What can't we just set aside our prejudicial feelings and sit down with the other and have a real conversation, sharing our views, testing our theories, and then coming together for the common good. It seems. As though each side has its own agenda and nothing in the world will prevent them from pursuing it. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We need a good health care solution! Can't we talk about what has worked and when're the issues are and then develop a real solution that meets everyone's needs? Looks like the GOP is doing what they blamed the DEMs for be when the ADA was written into law. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Does no one learn? Why is everyone so dead set on proving their ideas are right? Don't we understand that everyone has some wisdom and that when we work together we can actually develop some really fantastic solutions to our common problems. AND those solutions will be for the common good, bot just succumbing to someone's idea of what's right. AND ALL OF THESE QUESTIONS ARE GOOD FOR JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING OUR LAWMAKERS ARE TRYING TO DO AT BOTH THE STATE AND NATIONAL LEVELS!!!!! </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In our state, it appears that the people have no say at all. It appears that our political leaders are acting on the whims of certain big business cats. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1984 - Rollerball - it all seems to be falling into place. What was once a great experiment in collective freedom and government is quickly evolving into the same old structures that ruled in the Middle Ages. Most of us are now the peasants who must do what the Lord of the Manor says. I certainly hope that everyone will soon wake up and reject the course of events brewing in our capitals and stop it before it's too late! Otherwise, we will be burying ourselves. </span></span>Dennis R. Dowell, ofshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354607959021329829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9174566589415269580.post-5545439329337865022016-12-29T16:47:00.000-06:002018-04-19T09:52:21.316-05:00Reflections on the Rule - Prologue, Part 1<pre style="tab-stops: 45.8pt 81.0pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Prologue:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Exhortation of St. Francis to the Brothers and Sisters of Penance (circa 1210-1215)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></pre>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Concerning
Those Who Do Penance<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin: 0in 0.3in 6pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">All
who love the Lord with their whole heart, with their whole soul and mind, with
all their strength, and love their neighbors as themselves and hate their
bodies with their vices and sins, and receive the Body and Blood of our Lord
Jesus Christ, and produce worthy fruits of penance.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin: 0in 0.3in 6pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Oh,
how happy and blessed are these men and women when they do these things and
persevere in doing them, because "the spirit of the Lord will rest upon
them" and he will make "his home and dwelling among them", and
they are the sons of the heavenly Father, whose works they do, and they are the
spouses, brothers, and mothers of our Lord Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin: 0in 0.3in 6pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">We
are spouses, when by the Holy Spirit the faithful soul is united with our Lord
Jesus Christ, we are brothers to him when we fulfill "the will of the
Father who is in heaven".<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin: 0in 0.3in 6pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">We
are mothers, when we carry him in our heart and body through divine love and a
pure and sincere conscience; we give birth to him through a holy life which
must give light to others by example.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin: 0in 0.3in 6pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Oh,
how glorious it is to have a great and holy Father in heaven! Oh how glorious
it is to have such a beautiful and admirable Spouse, the Holy Paraclete.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Oh,
how glorious it is to have such a Brother and such a Son, loved, beloved,
humble, peaceful, sweet, lovable, and desirable above all: Our Lord Jesus
Christ, who gave up his life for his sheep and prayed to the Father saying:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">"Oh
holy Father, protect them with your name whom you gave me out of the world. I
entrusted to them the message you entrusted to me and they received it. They
have known that in truth I came from you, they have believed that it was you
who sent me. For these I pray, not for the world. Bless and consecrate them,
and I consecrate myself for their sakes. I do not pray for them alone; I pray
also for those who will believe in me through their word that they may be holy
by being one as we are. And I desire, Father, to have them in my company where
I am to see this glory of mine in your kingdom."<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As we all know, these words are from the first statement
that St. Francis wrote for our part of his order, the Brothers & Sisters of
Penance, what we now call the Secular Franciscan Order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here Francis outlines the basics for
belonging to this group, this fraternity of brothers & sisters:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Love the Lord
God with your whole heart, soul, mind, and strength.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus
gave his life so that you might have a full life and to free you from your
sins--all because of His great love for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So the first requirement, as in the Ten Commandments, is to love God
without reservation and to put your whole, entire self into the mix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don't hold back your love from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As John says in his first letter, <i>"<sup>7</sup>Beloved,
let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten
by God and knows God. <u><sup><span style="color: #333333;">8</span></sup></u><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Whoever is without love does
not know God, for God is love. </span><sup><span style="color: #333333;">9</span></sup><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In this way the love of God was
revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life
through him.</span> <span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><sup><span style="color: #333333;">10</span></sup><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In this is love: not that we
have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our
sins.</span><u><span style="color: maroon;"> </span></u><sup><span style="color: #333333;">11</span></sup><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another."<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt;">·</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Love
your neighbor as yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This assumes that you, in fact, love yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can you not--you are a creation of the
Great, Glorious God--. . ."and he looked around and saw that everything
was very good."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Care for the other
person, no matter who they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watch
after them. Tend to their needs, before your own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give yourself totally to the service of the
other person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Re-read I Corinthians 13.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt;">·</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Hate
their bodies with their vices and sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">How enmeshed are you in today's materialistic and consumer
society?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Francis challenges us to put
all of that behind us and look to the things of heaven, to the glorious
friendship we have with Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
doesn't mean that we abuse Sister Body, but we must remember that this world
doesn't really "get" what's going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Aim your sight on the heavenly rewards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt;">·</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Receive
the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Clear your soul of tarnish through
reconciliation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faithfully participate
in Mass. Honor the Real Presence in the Host and Wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reverently accept the Lord from the
Priest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reform your life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt;">·</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Produce
worthy fruits of penance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Daily conversion is the key to success in living the
Franciscan charism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Review your
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray about your failures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rejoice in your successes. Ask for God's help
to improve your life tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Resolve,
not only to do better, but make it really happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Increase your love for the others in your
life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">After the introductory paragraph, Francis reviews the
results of this life--a happiness and blessedness that comes from a persistence
in living this way:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">"The
spirit of the Lord will rest upon them";<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">He will make
"his dwelling and home among them";<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">They are sons
of the heavenly Father;<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">They are
spouses, brothers, and mothers of our Lord Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Important to this section is the concept of
perseverance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's not OK just to say
that we are going to live the life outlined in the first section, we have to
persevere each day in remaking our lives in that mold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That's where the idea of daily conversion
comes from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of each day we
review what we did and make amends and promises, and yes, even plans, to
improve upon our performance for the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We try to do it better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
business world we called this idea "continuous improvement"--we were
always looking for a way to do the task better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That's what we are called to do when we persevere in the Franciscan
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, according to St. Francis, the
rewards look to be pretty great!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Francis outlines those rewards through the relationship that
we have with our Lord Jesus Christ when we live this way:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">We are
spouses, when by the Holy Spirit the faithful soul is united with our Lord
Jesus Christ</span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">we are brothers
to him when we fulfill "the will of the Father who is in heaven".<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">We are mothers, when we carry him in our heart and body
through divine love and a pure and sincere conscience; <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">we give birth to
him through a holy life which must give light to others by example.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Francis is telling us that one of
the results of this way of living is to become closely attached to the Lord,
like we do in our own families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
achieve these closely bonded relationships with our Lord by having a faithful
soul (</span><i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">see perseverance above</span></i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">), when we act upon God's will in
our lives, </span><i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">(love others)</span></i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">, we carry him in our heart and
body </span><i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">(first Commandment</span></i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">and purity of mind, body, and soul)</span></i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">, give light to others by example
</span><i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">(actually live the life we profess)</span></i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">St. Francis concludes
the initial section of the Prologue with sort of a hymn that praises the
Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In this praise, St. Francis reminds us that we are the creation of the
Great and Glorious God who loves us so very much that he sent His Son to us to
show us how to live and ultimately <i>"gave up his life for his
sheep"</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">St. Francis closes this
section with that most wonderful prayer from the Gospel of John in which Jesus
asks God for the protection and consecration of, not only the apostles, but all
of us who have followed them as a result of our believing what they have told
us; and, that we "...</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <i>may be holy by being one as we are".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Through this important prayers, St. Francis reminds
us that unity of spirit in fraternity is critical to our achievement of the
life he has admonished us to pursue.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Dennis R. Dowell, ofshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02354607959021329829noreply@blogger.com0