FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY 1. DEFINITIONS Relationship between theology and spirituality. Theology...
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Transcript of FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY 1. DEFINITIONS Relationship between theology and spirituality. Theology...
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FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY
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DEFINITIONS
Relationship between theology and spirituality.Theology – the study of God Spirituality – the process of personal transformation
Meaning of spirituality Being animated by GodDriven by the Holy Spirit
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CALL OF ST. FRANCIS
Called in his special way:
To represent God (faith)To speak of God (Evangelize)To go towards God (Spiritual journey)To treat with God (Prayer)
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ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS IN A PENITENTIAL LIFE
A turning to God with all that one is Loving one's neighbor as oneself. Acknowledging and despising one's personal
tendency to sin. Receiving the Eucharist devoutly. Allowing God's Spirit to dwell in us.
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WHAT SHOWS IN YOUR LIFE
Joy, gratitude and care for the poor Brought about by God’s transforming love And by God’s giftedness of creation
Detachment from the things of this world Brings about peace and joy – a gift of God Unconditional love
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PRAYER
Like Francis, we’re active and contemplative
Open one’s heart and mind to God
Love and praise Him – body, soul and mind
Daily prayer; Eucharist often
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SISTERS AND BROTHERS
Foundation for everything – minority or littleness See ourselves as brother/sister to all people and all
creation Brother/sister relationships with all are encounters
with God’s love It’s not what we do but how we do it and who we are We walk with the poor and marginalized, those in
need of healing, and those who hunger for God We are committed to care for the earth
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POVERTY
Living simply
Detachment
Everything is a gift
We are stewards
We seek justice for all
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HUMILITY and CHARITY
Moment of Francis’ conversion – he kissed the leperConfronted his fearEmbraced itBegan a life of penance
Seen in the incarnationSeen in the EucharistHumbly reach out to all others
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COMMUNITY
Called to live in community
We need one another
Can only experience humility and charity in community
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SELF-DENIAL
Unite ourselves with Him. Substitute His perfect thoughts, will & feelings for
our imperfect ones. Alone we can do nothing.Through Him and with Him, we adore, praise
and prayChrist is dearer to us than we are to ourselvesWe serve for Christ and with Christ
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QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. Commitment assumes failure will be part of the process of change and growth. How do I handle failure in my life? Give examples.
2. Am I giving God my whole body, soul and mind? How do I know? What are some signs of taking the wide way instead of the narrow way?
3. What choices am I confronted with regularly that require me to think of and put God first, instead of myself? How do I make those choices?
4. Philippians 2:3-4 says: “Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than ourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but everyone for thoseof others.” In what ways do I do this – or not do it – in my home, in my work, in my fraternity, in my community?
5. How do I most often express my love to God? What do I most oftencomplain to God about? What do I request of God most often?