Have you arrived?

A few days ago, a young lady, a Dutch Secular Franciscan whom I got to know in Hungary at the General Chapter in November, wrote me and wondered if I really felt at home? She wasn't asking about my return to the States. No, she had reviewed my story of my various religious life experiences, and she wondered if SFO was where I wanted to stay, or if it was just a go-between to some other point. She mentioned she knew another person or two, who had a life-experience in a religious order, and who ended up in the SFO.

I had to think about her question. The answer wasn't hard, but I wondered why she asked the question at all. Sometimes, we need to be reminded of what is important in our lives, and Our Lord brings someone into our lives to ask such an important question. The answer is, of course, that I have arrived. I am very much "at home" in the Secular Franciscan Order, in fact, I believe that's where Our Lord wanted me all along!

I do not say that lightly. It took me about eight years to find what Our Lord wanted of me. In some respect these years were rich years, but there were also disappointments. St. Francis tells us through his actions that we must learn to cope with disappointment, because when these disappoints are seen as a spiritual challenge, they are rich in grace and they help us.

Many a time, my mentor (Br. Craig of the Monks of Adoration) told me that Obedience to the Father is more meritorious than anything we, ourselves undertake. No, he didn't say that precisely, but that's the lesson I learned. My discussion with him was about taking a two-hour daily walk, that he had told me to take under Monastic Obedience. I may have said something like "a penance I can give up for..." (whatever good intention); but he told me that Obeying is more meritorious than anything we do of ourselves. I think I agree with Br. Craig, and when I apply this to the situation at hand, that is, obeying our Lord, following Him by obeying the Rule of St. Francis, that is worth a lot, to Him, and through Him, for me. So yes, I have arrived!

Her question may have been asked because at the General Chapter, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I announced to the entire Chapter, to the General Minister, that I had taken private Vows and that I now promise Obedience to CIOFS. That's allowed under Article 36 of the SFO Constitution, as I was told afterwards. Of course, I suppose normally, one would have gone to the next higher fraternity with such a suggestion; but I suddenly received discernment to speak to Mrs. Encarnacion del Pozo, OFS (i.e. SFO in much of continental Europe), and I did. It was very well received. Not that I was looking for a pat on the back, but I received much encouragement. Having done this, I felt particularly "at home" in the Secular Franciscan Order.

Having made private Vows, I am not special in any way. Rather, a heavier responsibility rests on my shoulders. People do not make Vows in order to break them. I hear some Secular Franciscans from time to time talk about "The Rule is not binding..." Please be careful how you say this. It is true, the Rule isn't binding, but it is better that one doesn't reflect on that too often. Promises to God aren't made to be broken. And, Vows aren't broken at all, in my book.

Sure, there are days that I skip the Liturgy of the Hours if I am exceptionally fatigued, but usually that's my own fault by not resting at a timely hour the previous night. And, there is nothing wrong, when one is retired to lie down for a half hour or more during the day, something I seldom do. I should do it more often.

My daily schedule is such that the first or second thing I do is pray. And, the last thing I do before going to bed is pray. And I pray in between too, but not from a book. When I see a person who looks sad, I ask Jesus to lift that person up. There is one person in this town whom I absolutely do not like... but I do pray for this poor soul, sometimes often. Apart from all that, there are few people I do not get along with, and I believe in invoking laughter and joy, because that's how I feel inside. Be a fool for Christ! Look at St. Francis, he was a glorious dreamer; he was a fool for Christ if I ever saw one.

Have a happy word for everyone. It is not necessary to say a great many words but let the words you say count! Let those words reflect the joy of a Christian. It is definitely not good to lay your trouble cards on the table. People don't like that; they don't want to hear your troubles; rather, they want to talk about theirs, sometimes. Let them! They probably need a patient shoulder!

Be "Christ" to everyone, and as St. Francis helped carry Christ's wounds throughout life, be St. Francis to each and everyone you meet. Be a peacemaker! Lord, let me be patient and strong, let me be humble and make my soul like onto thine, humble and meek. Amen

Fred Schaeffer,
December 6, 2008
on the feast day of St. Nicholas,
who was kind to everyone.

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