Seasonal Reflection

Jesus had an unwavering obedience to his Father. Jesus trusted God and emptied himself to serve others. To empty oneself means to make someone else the center of our focus, that is to place someone else’s interests and needs before our own. In humility, Jesus showed a greater concern for others than for himself. He laid down his life so that others might live.

St. Francis and St. Clare strove to be in union with Jesus, so the best way to imitate him was to embrace gospel poverty. For them, gospel poverty was giving up the things they didn’t need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Surrendering “all” enabled Francis and Clare to abide in Christ, to allow his desires to become their desires and to become earthen vessels of God’s love for others. To them, their pilgrim journey on earth was not about going to someplace holy, but to make holy everyplace they were.

I believe that as Franciscans we are called to do the same. Everywhere we are such as in our home, our workplace, our parish and our community.

 
Hazel Martin, OFS
January 2020