Brief Reflections on Article 14: The Spirit of Service
(Contributed by Donna Haro, SFO)

  • Service should not be understood only in a formal sense-such as volunteering, or joining a group or organization-although that is a part of it. It should be understood as an attitude of serving, a way of life.
  • Service should be prompt and offered in kindness and charity. There is no record in scripture of Christ turning away anyone who asked for help.
  • Remember the Corporal Works of Mercy and the Spiritual Works of Mercy when you think of Service. Your parish is a wonderful place to start if you have not already done so.
  • Service must be united to prayer. There must be a deep prayer life for service to be effective and suited to the individual's gifts. Look to the examples of Jesus and St. Francis.
  • Chances for service abound in our everyday encounters with others, especially our families. These are usually the encounters where our salvation and the salvation of others are worked out.
  • Service requires discernment. We are not called to do everything that comes our way nor
    everything we feel moved to do. A deep prayer life will guide us in our discernment.
  • We must keep in mind that we are serving Christ in our service of others. Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta said she saw Christ in the distressing disguise of the poor.
  • Not all of our service or offers of service will be met with success or approval. Again, in the words of Bl. Mother Theresa of Calcutta, "We are called to be faithful, not successful."
  • A Franciscan approach to service might include spreading beauty visually and in speech. Is your car, workplace, or home uplifting to the spirit? Is your speech kind and encouraging? Are you able to correct others gently? Are you like Barnabbas, whose name means "son of encouragement?"
  • Finally, do you let others serve you when you need it? Humility requires you to accept service as much as to give it.
  1. Give examples of instances where you saw people demonstrate service as a way of life.
  2. Why would it be important to serve others promptly and charitably?
  3. What opportunities does your parish offer for service using the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy? Which ones do you feel moved to?
  4. Is a deep prayer life really necessary for service? Are there any examples you can think of illustrating this from the lives of Jesus and St. Francis?
  5. How could you better seek to serve in your family or in your daily encounters with others?
  6. What are the signs that we have properly discerned a course of service? What are the signs that perhaps we have not discerned a course of service properly? Why would this be harmful?
  7. How do you see Christ in others when they anger and repulse you?
  8. How do you stay faithful in your service when it is refused or unsuccessful?
  9. Why might beauty and charitable speech be a part of service.
  10. How do you accept help from others? How do you refuse it? How do you discern it?


Text of SFO Rule 14: "Secular Franciscans, together with all people of good will, are called to build a more fraternal and evangelical world so that the kingdom of God may be brought about more effectively. Mindful that anyone who follows Christ, the perfect man, becomes more of a man himself, let them exercise their responsibilities competently in Christian spirit of service."