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Understanding Franciscan Spirituality . Part 2 The God who reveals Himself. Kenosis. Self-emptying From Bonaventure – self-giving, totally, completely, unconditionally for the good of the other. Good. Francis speaks of God as good, the most high good, the supreme good.
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Understanding Franciscan Spirituality Part 2 The God who reveals Himself
Kenosis • Self-emptying • From Bonaventure – self-giving, totally, completely, unconditionally for the good of the other
Good • Francis speaks of God as good, the most high good, the supreme good. • The highest form of good is Love
See Jn 13, 15, Mt 5, 44 & Lk 6, 27, 35 • give life for friends • Give life to Francis is to give everything • To hold nothing back
See St Paul Rom 35 & Phil 2 • Phil 2 the great hymn of servant-hood • Emptied himself • Form of a slave • Accepting even death on the cross • Showing the depth of God’s love for us
Poverty of God “5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross”. Philippians 2:5-8 The Revised Standard Version. 1971 (Php 2:5). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
God • All that Jesus says and does, reveals who God is. That which exists visibly in Jesus, exists invisibly, mysteriously, in God. • The Incarnation is an act of humility, this is because God is a Being of humility. • Jesus is poor because God is poor. • the Father, God himself, in the garments of the eternal Servant • The Cross, Passion and death of Jesus = the fullness and depth of the Father’s love, and His willingness to sacrifice all to show that Love.
Jesus came so that the Father could show himself • (may your name be glorified: it reveals who you are, Your "glory - kabod"). • And the Father confirms it for us! • God is a Love.
Now, to love is to die to oneself, not only preferring others to oneself, • but refusing to exist for oneself, • with the purpose of existing only for others. • God is a Trinity. The Existence of God is eternally in the act of giving himself to others.
Who is your God • After reading the Scriptures, the thoughts of Francis, the words of Pope Benedict XVI • Who, what is your image of God? • Who is the God you believe in?