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CHARACTERISTICS OF A SECULAR FRANCISCAN - LIVING OUR VOCATION: A FOCUS ON THE BEATITUDES

This text explores the characteristics of secular Franciscans and their commitment to live the spirit of the Beatitudes, with a focus on poverty and justice. It also examines Jesus' life as an example and the practical implications of living the Beatitudes in a conflicted world. The text includes discussion questions for reflection.

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CHARACTERISTICS OF A SECULAR FRANCISCAN - LIVING OUR VOCATION: A FOCUS ON THE BEATITUDES

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  1. CHARACTERISTICS OF A SECULAR FRANCISCAN - LIVING OUR VOCATION: A FOCUS ON THE BEATITUDES

  2. General Constitutions Art.15.1 • Rule 11 Secular Franciscans should pledge themselves to live the spirit of the Beatitudes and, in a special way, the spirit of poverty. Evangelical poverty demonstrates confidence in the Father, creates interior freedom, and disposes them to promote a more just distribution of wealth”

  3. ISAIAH 61:1-2 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord as anointed me; He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly, to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, To announce a year of favor from the Lord and a day of Vindication by our God. . .

  4. THE BEATITUDES AND THE SFO • Blessed are the peacemakers; they shall be called God’s children.

  5. JESUS: Sign of God’s Favor and Messianic Peace • Jesus’ life – fulfillment of Isaiah 61. • Prophet’s promised “spirit of the Lord God” came upon Jesus at the Jordan. • Jesus the first to live the Beatitudes

  6. JESUS’ LIFE AS EXAMPLE • Jesus showed commitment to God’s will. • God’s plan – the divine image in the least of the brothers and sisters. • Required a sharing of resources. • Jesus’ abandonment to the plan – established order or justice. • Justice – essential requirement for peace.

  7. PEACE – A GIFT • Gift of God’s power and peace to be shared with all. • Disciples were to bless the homes they entered. • God’s power experienced in blessing. • Blessing is peace.

  8. JESUS - SON • God called Jesus “Son” because He was obedient throughout His life. • People who rejected his message also called Him the “Son of God.”

  9. MAKING PEACE IN A WARFUL WORLD • Demetrius the silversmith – Acts 19 • Wed to the “dollar” • Caused Paul to be drug before the authorities for hurting his business.

  10. SIX ATTITUDES THAT LEAD TO CONFLICT • 1. Diabolical enemy-image • 2. Virile self-image • 3. Moral self-image • 4. Selective inattention • 5. Lack of empathy • 6. Irrational interpretation of reality

  11. THREE STEPS FOR MAKING PEACE • 1. Awareness and avoidance of the 6 attitudes • 2. Having a form of accountability • Affirm and support each other • Let each other know what bothers you • Confront and correct each other • 3. Being respectful of dignity of each

  12. Blessed are those persecuted for justice’ sake; the reign of God is theirs.

  13. THE REWARD OF GOD’S REIGN • Found only in the 1st and last Beatitudes • Two purposes of this Beatitude: • 1. Living the Beatitudes would make one a scandal to the world. • 2. Persecution would be a sign one had been faithful.

  14. CONTRASTS IN MATTHEW • “You” and “they” • Christians and unconverted Jews • Believers and unbelievers • Minority and majority

  15. LIVING THE BEATITUDES • Sheep among the wolves. • Spirit of God speaks through each believer. • Jesus put to death for living what He preached. • Can only experience the reign of God by living the Beatitudes.

  16. PRACTICAL RESULT OF THE BEATITUDES • Jesus reversed what society considers normal. • What Jesus considers a blessing, society considers a scandal. • Society’s rejection of Jesus is the rejection of every disciple since then. • Reaction the same- Isaiah, Jesus, Matthew

  17. “I use parables when I speak to them because they look but do not see, they listen but do not hear or understand. Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them which says: ‘Listen as you will, you shall not understand, look intently as you will, you shall not see. Sluggish indeed is this people’s heart. They have scarcely heard with their ears, they have firmly closed their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn back to me, and I should heal them.’

  18. But blest are your eyes because they see and blest are your ears because they hear. I assure youk many a prophet and many a saint longed to see what you see but did not see it, to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” Matt. 13;13-17; CF. Isa. 6:9-10

  19. PROPHECY • Central to Matthew’s spirituality of Jesus • Steps in Isaiah’s call to prophecy helps us understand that part of our calling.

  20. STEPS IN ISAIAH’S CALL • Call occurs within historical setting. • 1st experienced in being touched by the transcendent. • Reaction is an awareness of sin. • One realizes need for a greater power. • Prophet hears the call, responds “here I am.”

  21. Prophet realizes the possibility of rejection and persecution for remaining faithful to the call.

  22. The yoke fitted for each disciple is the commission to walk in wisdom’s way and to proclaim this way prophetically to a society that will reject it. We are to show every age and every nation, for all time, that the Beatitudes are at the heart of Gospel spirituality, and we will experience the reign of God.

  23. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS • 1. In what ways am I aware of any of the 6 attitudes of conflict in my life? Which ones? How do I avoid it (them)? • 2. How do I treat those in my family and my fraternity who are challenging? What must I do to treat each with respect, recognizing their dignity? • 3. How can I help structure a form of accountability in my family/fraternity?

  24. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS • 4. What are some ways in which I have been persecuted for my beliefs? If not me, what about those I know? • 5. How have I handled persecution? What can I do better in the future? • 6. How have I been made aware of a prophetic call? How have I said “here I am” to the Lord?

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