In John’s Gospel Jesus declares, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly”1. This promise is not a distant theological ideal but a concrete invitation to every believer to live fully in the love of Christ. Pope Leo XIV, addressing young students, urged them to “have courage to live life to the fullest… ‘I dream of more, Lord. I long for something greater. Inspire me!’”—a call that resonates equally with us as members the Secular Franciscan Order. Our vocation, rooted in the Secular Franciscan Rule, is to embody the Gospel in everyday life, to be witnesses of the abundant life Christ offers, and to guide others toward that same fullness.
The Gospel’s vision of “life to the full” is first and foremost a life of relationship with the Father, modelled on the self-sacrificial love of Jesus. The Catechism reminds us that the Church is “the sole and necessary gateway… Christ… gave his life for his sheep”2. In this light, the Secular Franciscan commitment to simplicity, humility, and fraternity becomes the concrete expression of the Gospel’s call to share the gift of love without end. St. Augustine, reflecting on John 10, emphasizes that entering through the “door” of Christ leads us to “the abundant life” that only He can give3.For us, the “door” is opened daily by the Rule’s invitation to live in communion with God, with one another, and with the world, seeking conversion, service, and joy.
Pope Leo’s exhortation to “dream of more” invites us to translate this theological richness into practical leadership. As Formator’s in our own capacities, each of us are called to animate and guide our brothers and sisters so that they, too, may perceive the “greater something” that Christ and St Francis reveal: a society where justice, peace, and love are lived out in concrete actions. This means fostering spaces where members can experience the joy of prayer, the urgency of service, and the solidarity of community—each a facet of the abundant life. It also means daring to envision a Church that, like the early disciples, steps beyond comfort zones, proclaiming the Gospel not only in words but in deeds that transform families, workplaces, and neighbourhoods.
Living the Gospel fully requires courage. The Pope’s words remind us that hope is not passive; it is an active yearning for transformation. In the Secular Franciscan tradition, this courage is expressed through “preaching in action,” caring for the marginalised, bringing the Gospel to life and life to the Gospel, all rooted in the imitation of Christ’s self-gift. By embodying these values, we become living signs of the life Christ promised, inviting others to enter the same “sheepfold” where the Good Shepherd leads us to true pasture just as St Francis did and continues to do so.
In guiding our members, let us therefore:
- Celebrate the Gospel’s promise of abundant life as the heart of our Rule.
- Encourage each person to discern how their daily work, family life, and community involvement can become a “preaching in action.”
- Foster a culture of hopeful imagination, where dreaming of “something greater” is linked to concrete projects of mercy, justice, and ecological care.
May the Spirit inspire us to live boldly, to share generously, and to guide others toward the fullness of life that Christ offers.
Anthony Saliba OFS
National Formator
Discussion questions
- How can we translate the promise of “life to the full” into specific actions within our families, workplaces, and local communities?
- In what ways does the Secular Franciscan Rule help us cultivate the courage Pope Leo XIV calls for, especially when faced with societal challenges?
- What concrete steps can the National Council take to nurture a culture of “dreaming of something greater” among our members while remaining faithful to the Gospel and St Francis’ vision?
- The Holy Bible John 10:10
- CCC 754
- Video Message of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to the Pan–African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network on the Occasion of Their Third Congress page1
