Monthly Spiritual Message, June 2008
By Friar David M. Huebner OFM Conv,
I ask the above question as a way of focusing on the purpose of your Secular Franciscan vocation in the modern world. Why? Well, the word “secular” within a fraternal setting is often taken to mean: “What I think is right”, opposed to “Whatever you think is right”, instead of what really is right. So many people get caught up in a clash of personalities rather than finding peace in the true service of our Lord.
So we come back to our question. What does it mean to be a secular Franciscan in the modern world? Another way of putting it: “what is the main goal of your Franciscan vocation?” Obviously the main goal of Franciscan life is to place God at the very centre of importance in our lives. This is the meaning of our profession and is best symbolized in the expression, “I choose to live the Gospel after the example of St. Francis of Assisi.”
As part of your ongoing formation process, you are first admitted into the Secular Franciscan Order with a promise that you undertake to be formed and informed by the Gospel through the Holy Spirit in order to be able to commit yourselves to living the Gospel, thereby making Christ (hence God) the very centre of your lives. As part of this, during the Rite of Admission into the Order you are presented with two essential gifts. First and foremost, you are presented with a copy of the four Gospels. You are then presented with a copy of the Rule. This is accompanied by a form of words that highlight the essential truth of your vocation: “The rule and life of the Secular Franciscan is this: to observe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example of St. Francis of Assisi, who made Christ the inspiration and centre of his life with God and with people.” It ends with the plea: “May this too be your way of life!”
Many times we focus on the “God and I” bit very well, and although we may be aware of many shortcomings we can look into a mirror, see our reflection and say, “Lord, sorry for my many shortcomings but you are truly the centre of my life.” Sisters and brothers of penance, this statement may be a lie whereby we fool ourselves if we cannot also say, “Lord, sorry for my many shortcomings towards my sisters and brothers, given to me by You, to help me focus on Your will!”
During your Rite of Profession or Commitment you are asked the question: “Do you wish to embrace the gospel life by following the example and words of St. Francis of Assisi which is at the heart of our Rule.” And, “Do you wish to be faithful to this Rule in spirit and in fact in order to build a more fraternal world?” And through the grace of God you commit yourselves (that is, give yourselves fully to God and one another) in order that this be true in your lives.
This evokes images of St. Francis lying prostrate on the ground throughout the night calling repeatedly, “My God and my all.” In other words, Franciscan life must be God-centered. Nothing else will do if our life is to exude authentic service. The big problem we all have is that we have a tendency to substitute self importance over and above the commitment we have made to God, Francis, and our sisters and brothers in the faith.
Brothers and Sisters of Penance, unfortunately one of the hallmarks of modern life is dysfunctional individualism. What’s that? Well, what it is can be symbolized by the Old Blue Eyes song, “I did it my way!” This attitude does not allow the individual concerned, nor in many instances the local fraternity (if the dysfunctional individual is in a leadership role) to be transformed in Christ. Rather than being transformed in Christ, with accompanying signs of peace, harmony and zest for living in the Lord, one is deformed further into selfishness with the accompanying signs of strife, trouble, anger, discord and disintegration (people leaving).
What path are your footprints and mine to be found upon? Is it the gospel path following Francis? Or do we blaze a glorious path on our own, “my way is THE way?” The way we treat those we look upon as the least in our fraternity will answer these questions. What answer do you hear? Are you on the authentic path, the one you have committed yourself to follow? Or are you crooning to the beat of a dysfunctional, individualistic, and inauthentic lifestyle; a substitute for Christian commitment? Only one way opens to the embrace of Christ when our earthly vocation is ended, with the accompanying words “Welcome into my kingdom, beloved of the Father.” Let us then remember the invocation: “May this too be your way of life,” so that we will indeed be embraced by Christ.
May the Lord grant you peace.
Friar David M. Huebner OFM Conv,
National Assistant SFO – Oceania.
