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THE SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER:
AN APPROPRIATE LAY VOCATION
Identity and Affiliation
By Fr. Michael Higgins, TOR
From: Koinonia,
2002, N. 3
(Koinonia is a publication of the
Conference of General Spiritual Assistants of the S.F.O., and is published in
Rome)
Introduction
The Church provides a means to visibly and vigorously participate in Christ's
mission to invite every man and women into a deep and personal relationship with
God. In a real and practical sense it is to be the leaven of faith for people,
the salt of the earth, the light and soul of the world. It is at one and the
same time in the world and for the world. That is, the Church is to be actively
involved in transforming the world and the world order as it provides a locus
for the sacrament for salvation. In this process it is to use all the means at
its disposal to continue the outreach and mission of the Savior.
The starting point of becoming coworkers with Christ and the Church is with the
reception of the sacrament of baptism. [1] This sacrament provides a challenge
to every Christian to live and witness to the salvific presence of Christ with
love, energy and conviction. It is clear that women and men on fire with the
love of God are the most efficacious instruments of the transforming ministry of
the Church. The paradox is that as one gives him or herself to God through
active participation with the mission of the Church of spreading the Kingdom of
God one finds life and meaning.
Some live this baptismal call through a dedication to God in religious vows and
an embrace of a life guided by prayer and works of mercy. The consecrated life
is a separation from the secular order which allows religious to be inserted
ever more deeply into the framework of human life as ministers of the faith.
Religious vocation allows religious to be public representatives of the Church
as they witness to the saving power of Christ in the vowed life. Even those
religious dedicated to the enclosure and contemplation are involved in the
currents of the world in a deep and tangible way through their life and prayer.
On the other hand, the lay person, whether married or single, is not only in the
world and for the world but also of the world. That is, he or she is inserted
into the very fabric of human existence and society on every level. In a sense
this can be called the "secular" dimension of the lay state. The role and
challenge of the lay person is to live fully in this situation. Quoting section
31 of the Dogmatic
Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium) the Catechism of the Catholic Church
puts it this way:
By reason of their special vocation it belongs to the laity to seek the
kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them according to
God's will.... It pertains to them in a special way so to illuminate and order
all temporal things with which they are closely associated that these may always
be effected and grow according to Christ and may be to the glory of the Creator
and Redeemer. [2]
Recently, Pope John Paul II reaffirmed this teaching when he addressed the
bishops of the Antilles at the end of their ad limina visit to the Holy See. He
stated that the laity have an important role to play in the Church and stated
that, the premier place of the exercise of the lay vocation is in the world of
economic, social, political and cultural realities. It is in this world that lay
people are called to live their baptismal vocation... [3]
This is what the lay vocation is all about, it is a way of responding the
challenge of baptism, the challenge of living and spreading the gospel in the
midst of world. The Catechism goes further by stating that the "initiative of
lay Christians is necessary especially when the matter involves discovering or
inventing the means for permeating social, political, and economic realities
with the demands of Christian doctrine and life." [4]
Lay Vocation: Priest, Prophet and King
The important and transforming action of baptism incorporates all who receive
the sacrament into the triple anointed role of priest, prophet and king. The
Church is very clear that as the laity live out their baptismal identity they
share in these important Christological activities of Jesus. Each of the
anointed roles highlight the messianic nature of Christ which is shared with the
baptized as a way to inform and empower them for their ministry. St. Francis
deepens this understanding in his reflection in Admonition V that women and men
are created not only in the image of the Divine, but more specifically in the
image of Christ "according to body and to His likeness according to the
Spirit." [5] As Christ was and is priest, prophet and king so also are all
those created in His image and likeness. The sacrament of baptism enlivens and
energizes this image and encourages those who receive it to live up to their
birthright. While much can be said about each of these three dimensions it is
important to understand them as they are lived out and embraced by women and men
in their day to day
life.
The figure of the priest evokes the images of sacrifice and mediation. The
priest is one who offers sacrifice as a way to worship and thank God for the
Divine presence in the world. The priest is also a mediator, one who stands
before God and intercedes for people. That is, the priest stands before God in
order to ask for pardon, peace and grace. This is the true and proper role of
the laity as they participate in the saving mystery of Christ. Through the daily
activities of their Christian lives the laity give praise to God and ask for the
Divine to be ever more present in the world. In "worshiping everywhere by
their holy actions, the laity consecrate the world itself to God, everywhere
offering worship by the holiness of their lives." [6] The lay person is to
both intercede for the world and to recognize that they are part of God's answer
to this plea. People everywhere seem to be asking where God is in the midst of
the problems of the world. As they cooperate with the Divine will the laity form
at least one aspect of this response. God is in and works through the laity. The
role of priestly mediation is heightened with the understanding of the role of a
prophet who is challenged to clearly and boldly speak the word of the Lord -
even when it is inconvenient or difficult. The
prophet is one who lives two realities at the same time. On one hand,
he or she is to be deeply immersed in the Will of God and know it
intimately. Only then can the prophet be a willing instrument in
transmitting the Divine will to people in a way in which it can be
understood and followed. On the other hand, a prophet is also to be
deeply immersed in the currents of human society, to know and understand
the struggles and travails of the people to whom she or he is called to
minister. The prophet's challenge is to live vibrantly in this dual
reality as a way to participate in the Church's work of evangelization.
For lay people, "this evangelization ... acquires a specific property
and peculiar efficacy because it is accomplished in the ordinary
circumstances of the world." [7]
The identification of the laity as "king" also brings out the gracious
desire of God to share the essence of the divine nature with the women
and men who are created in the image and likeness of the Divine.
Although the kingship of Jesus is not greatly emphasized in the New
Testament [8] one of the most powerful images of Christ in Christian
devotion is his representation as King: King of heaven and earth, King
of creation and King of history. In part this royal title highlights
the Divine authority that was given to Christ, that same authority that
is passed on to his followers in order to empower them for their
ministry in the world. Again, the laity are encouraged to exercise this
authority in the secular sphere as a way of transforming the world
through their witness. As the Catechism states,
by uniting their forces let the laity so remedy the institutions and
conditions of the world when the latter are an inducement to sin, that
these may be conformed to the norms of justice, favoring rather than
hindering the practice of virtue. By so doing they will impregnate
culture and human works with a moral value. [9]
What a tremendous challenge, particularly in the world of the
twenty-first century with its incredible potential... and its myriad
problems.
Lay Vocation: Specific Mission is the Consecration of the Secular Order
When Francis started preaching penance after he had received permission
from Pope Innocent III in 1209 or 1210 his message touched the hearts of
many people who were thirsty for a way to vibrantly express their
spirituality. In this way the "Franciscan movement" was inaugurated.
In a short period of time three distinct groups evolved. Two developed
into "regular" religious communities which were guided by an approved
rule, the profession of vows, and a structured life in community. Thus,
the "First" order for men and the "Second" order for women who were
called to embrace a truly Franciscan approach to religious life were
born. Those Christians who wished to embrace a Franciscan way of life
"in their own homes" banded together as lay penitents and developed into
the "Third Order" of St. Francis. This order, which has had its own
distinct charism from its inception, finds its identity precisely in its
secular or lay nature.
It is interesting to note the repetition in the early documents of the
phrase "in their own homes" as a way to describe the Third Order, or
Secular Franciscan Order. The term identifies an essential reality of
the Secular Franciscan Order, defines its proper sphere of activity and
identifies its place in the world and the Church. It is precisely in
the midst of the secular order that members of the order lived the
fullest expression of their baptism.
While there was certainly a wide range of activities which engaged
Franciscans in the early years, and more than a little overlap in their
self understanding, a case can be made for identifying members of the
First Order as itinerant preachers and evangelists, members of the
Second Order as contemplatives, and members of the Third Order as
ministers of works of mercy. The arena of their activity was the home
and commune. Their secular state was the vehicle or instrument through
which they contributed to the up-building of the Kingdom.
At a time in which many men and women gave up homes, families, careers
and communes others found that it is precisely in these areas that they
were called to more be involved. Rather than leave home, family, career
and commune they inserted themselves more deeply in them with gospel
love and witness as a way to transform society. This "transformation of
the secular order" identifies the specific mission of the members of the
Secular Franciscan Order. In doing so members of the Order associate
themselves knowingly or unknowingly into the same way of acting in the
world that God has used through the centuries to touch the lives of
people. Even a cursory glance at Sacred Scripture highlights the fact
that God has consistently become involved in the fabric of human
existence in midst of its day to day struggle for life and love. Jesus,
in his life, death and resurrection is the greatest expression of this
divine outreach at work. It is precisely in the midst of the human
condition that the fullest gift and invitation takes place.
In the First Exhortation to the Brothers and Sisters of Penance, a
document which has been embraced by both the Secular Franciscan Order
and the Third Order Regular as an introduction to their respective
rules, St. Francis challenges his followers to have a close, intimate
relationship to God. After highlighting the five elements of a
penitential life (love of God, love of neighbor, hatred of sin,
participation in the Eucharist, and a life which produces worthy fruits
of penance) he states:
O how happy and blessed are these men and women while they do such
things and persevere in doing them, because the Spirit of the Lord will
rest on them and make Its home and dwelling place among them, and they
are children of the heavenly Father Whose works they do, and they are
the spouses, brothers, and mothers of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are
spouses when the faithful soul is joined by the Holy Spirit to our Lord
Jesus Christ. We are brothers to him when we do the will of the Father
who is in heaven. We are mothers when we carry Him in our heart and
body through a divine love and a pure and sincere conscience and give
birth to Him through a holy activity which must shine as an example
before others. [10]
The result of a close union with God is that the penitent is able to
"give birth to" Christ, to be pregnant with the Word of God and be
willing to share Him with others. What a wonderful description of the
action of transformation.
One would have to be in total denial of the condition of the world to
think that everything is going well and according to God's expressed
desire that all may have life an have it in abundance. The past one
hundred years have been the most brutal and dehumanizing in the history
of the world. Terms like "ethnic cleansing," abortion on demand,
euthanasia, human cloning, and pedophilia have become common place in
our language and experience. Every country on the face of the earth
lives with the specter of terrorism, prejudice, racism, corruption,
larceny, and a host of conditions which threaten to rob humanity of its
divine dignity. In the face of these seemingly insurmountable problems
the Christian is challenged to bring the enlivening Word of God in word
and action into situations which lack God's transforming presence. To
use St. Francis' phrase, the Franciscan is to "give birth to Christ."
That is, each Franciscan is to bring Christ into every experience and
corner of life. Professed religious are to do this in and through their
ministries as individuals and as communities. Secular Franciscans have
the harder challenge of giving birth to Christ in their families, their
relationships with one another and in their fraternities on the various
levels of the Order. They are also to bring Christ to the markets,
schools, factories, farms, political and military arenas, playgrounds,
theaters, museums - every place where women and men are in need of the
presence of God.
To say that the proper place of mission for the Secular Franciscan is in
the secular sphere provides a context and a tremendous challenge for
those who have embraced this vocation. The laity live and work in the
secular milieu, that is in the midst of the ordinary events and currents
of daily life. The embrace of a vocation to the Secular Franciscan
Order is a declaration, both privately and publicly, that one intends to
embrace the deepest expression of the baptismal commitment in the midst
of society.
Chapter four of the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order states that,
The rule and life of the Secular Franciscans is this: to observe the
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example of Saint
Francis of Assisi... Secular Franciscans should devote themselves
especially to careful reading of the gospel, going from gospel to life
and life to gospel.
This chapter of the Rule sums up the whole text of the document and
could very well stand alone as the clearest expression of what the life
of the secular Franciscan is all about. This can be highlighted by
paying attention to the verbs used just in these two short sentences.
Members of this order are asked to observe the gospel, to follow the
example of St. Francis, to devote themselves to a careful reading of the
gospel, and to go from gospel to life and life to gospel. To "observe
the gospel," is a challenge that is given to every baptized Christian
since at baptism every Christian is incorporated into the life, death
and resurrection of Christ and are asked to participate in His mission
of salvation in communion with the Church. However, as the dictate "to
follow" highlights so well, they are to do this according to the example
of St. Francis who dedicated his entire life and all his energies to
searching for and following God's will. This gives a decided
"Franciscan" flavor to the living of one's baptismal identity. The
secular Franciscan is not challenged to become another Francis, but to
dedicate him or herself to Christ in the same way and with the same love
and energy which highlighted the Poverello's life. The only way this
can be done is for the secular to know intimately the essential rule of
life for all Franciscans, the gospel of Christ. Thus, in devoting
themselves to a careful reading of the gospel, they are to exercise
another way of "observing" the gospel. That is, they are to study it
with care and devotion, to allow it to become an integral part of their
own personal identity and to help form how they live in and relate with
the world. For the Franciscan the gospel is to be the lense through
which and against which the whole of life is to be lived and evaluated.
Understood in this way the last challenge of this chapter of the Rule
flows naturally. The Franciscan is to enter into relationship with
every facet of reality and by allowing the gospel to be the horizon
against which everything in life finds its ultimate meaning. The
concept of "going from gospel to life and life to gospel" is not to be
left as an interesting slogan but as a guiding imperative in the life of
the secular Franciscan.
By stating that life is the focal point of the dialogue with the gospel
the Rule reinforces the Church's insistence that the arena for the
evangelical presence of the laity is precisely in the midst of life.
Again, it is clear that this entails that the secular order is the arena
in which the lay Franciscan is to be actively and attentively involved.
With this understanding in mind it is definitely fair to state that the
Secular Franciscan Order is an appropriate lay vocation. The vocation
lived fully deepens the reality that it precisely in the living out of
one's lay life in the love of God, the service of the Church and
participation in the Franciscan family that one grows in holiness and
transforms the world.
"The laity must take up the renewal of the temporal order as their own
special obligation. Led by the light of the Gospel and the mind of the
Church and motivated by Christian charity, they must act directly and in
a definite way in the temporal sphere. As citizens they must cooperate
with other citizens with their own particular skill and on their own
responsibility. Everywhere and in all things they must seek the justice
of God's kingdom. The temporal order must be renewed in such a way that,
without detriment to its own proper laws, it may be brought into
conformity with the higher principles of the Christian life and adapted
to the shifting circumstances of time, place and peoples. Preeminent
among the works of this type of apostolate is that of Christian social
action which the sacred synod desires to see extended to the whole
temporal sphere, including culture" [11].
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Footnotes
[1] Catechism of the Catholic Church, art. 1213.
[2] Ibid., art. 898.
[3] "Laity Must Not Be Clericalized Nor Clergy Laicized," as reported
by zenit.org, May 10, 2002.
[4] Catechism. art. 899.
[5] The Admonitions, no. V, in The Saint, Volume I of Francis of
Assisi: Early Documents, edited by Regis Armstrong, Wayne Hellmann and
William Short (New York: New City Press, 1999) 131.
[6] Catechism. art. 901.
[7] Ibid. art. 905.
[8] Cf. the section "King" in John L. McKenzie, Dictionary of the Bible
(New York: MacMillan Publishing Co., 1965) 479. McKenzie points out
that one reason for this was that Jesus changed the popular
understanding about what a king and kingdom in relationship to his
messianic character and mission.
[9] Catechism. art. 909.
[10] Earlier Exhortation to the Brothers and Sisters of Penance, 5-7, in
The Saint, 41-42.
[11] Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, no. 7
The
Golden Mean
When Secular
Franciscans were still using the Rule of Saint Francis of Pope Leo XIII, Father
Marion Habig, OFM, in 1972 published his "New Catechism of the Third Order"
published by Franciscan Herald Press. As you remember, the current Rule was
issued, somewhat revised, by Pope Paul VI, several years later. The catechism in
question has some very practical advice under the chapter title: The Golden
Mean. We would like to present here some portions of that chapter for
educational purposes.
Secular
Franciscans (SF) are urged to live a life of moderation. "Moderation implies the
use of the goods of this life in a manner intended by God, from whom we receive
them. It is opposed to extravagance and luxury, to vanity and snobbishness." And
the text goes on to say that this moderation refers to dress (appearance and
clothes), dwelling, furniture, food and drink (e.g. how could we begin to
associate with the poor when we're living in luxury? We simply could not
understand their needs, and therefore be unable to live in their shoes. It is
common to ask well-known people to have their feet washed on Holy Thursday, by
the Celebrant or Presider, just ask Jesus washed the feet of the apostles at the
Last Supper. But could you, as a person used to luxury wash the feet of some
very poor person, whose life is on the streets because he has no place to go?)
So SF should live
a life of simplicity, moderation and propriety. They should be dressed
appropriately according to the traditions of the area they live in. The apparel
we wear should be decent, or to put it another way... dress like you're going to
church. Cleanliness is a virtue so we don't look unkempt or unwashed. But again,
the poor also come to church, sometimes. We must be tolerant, too. When a poor
or homeless person comes to church, we should make room for them. Very often
people see them as someone not of our breeding and just stare at them but we do
not offer to help the person. Give that person a seat and if you're sitting next
to him or her, DO NOT move away. Accept this poor soul as your brother or sister
in Christ.
With most people
in USA having either cable or satellite television in one or more rooms in their
residences, it is easy to get into a situation of viewing movies that are less
than modest in content. Despite the ratings, many well-rated movies may have
sexual content, or vile language. It is best to avoid these movies or when an
offensive scene appears to just shut that movie off. It's not worth pursuing
that type of entertainment and to continue to dwell on immodest scenes could be
sinful. So SF refrain from that type of situation.
Families of SF,
particularly teenagers, should be taught to discern what they read particularly
in books or the type of shows they might watch in television. They should avoid
material that "1. glorifies crime or the criminal; 2. describe in detail ways
how a crime is committed; 3. hold lawful authority in disrespect; 4. exploit
horror, cruelty or violence; 5. portray offensive sexual content; 6. feature
indecent, lewd or suggestive photographs or illustrations; 7. carry advertising
which is offensive in content which may lead to physical or moral harm; 8. use
blasphemous, profane or obscene speech indiscriminately and repeatedly; and, 9.
hold up to ridicule any national, religious, or racial group."
In recent years,
people whom you see or hear on the street or in stores or malls, seem to have
lost all self-control. The words that come from their mouths are often not those
SF should use or listen to. This is particularly the case with teenagers or even
young adults. "[We] must learn to control our senses and faculties because they
tend toward that which is contrary to right reason and the law of God ever since
the fall of our first parents." "Concupiscence is the most dangerous of our
enemies, because we have it always with us/ It consists of the concupiscence or
lust of the flesh, the concupiscence or lust of the eyes (unrestrained curiosity
and avarice), and the pride of life (see 1 John 2:16 "For all that is in the
world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is
not of the Father but is of the world.") or willfulness." Prayer and penance
will overcome the concupiscence of the flesh and guarding the senses (what we
see, hear, smell, feel, etc.). There's nothing in this area for us, except
trouble.
So we're urged to
use self-control and we know that this takes self-denial and penance and that
with the assistance of divine grace we can as SF live a decent, simple, and holy
life. We have spoken of penance which used to be called (and really still is)
mortification. Father Habig describes mortification as follows:
"1. Refusing to
yield to evil inclinations to the extent of avoiding grievous sins and the
occasion of such sins. This degree is required of all at all times.
2. Withstanding evil inclinations to the extent of avoiding deliberate venial
sins.
3. Doing that which is both lawful and pleasant, not merely for the sake of the
pleasure derived from it, but with the right intention, that is, for the honor
of God and out of love for God.
4. Renouncing at least some satisfactions of the sensitive appetite which are
lawful and permitted.
5. Deliberately taking upon ourselves something that is unpleasant with the
right motive, e. g. fasting and abstinence.
6. Loving the cross and bearing it with joy, out of love for Christ Crucified
and to become more like Christ. St. Francis described this degree of
mortification to Brother Leo in his story about perfect joy."
In today's world,
as compared to the time Saint Francis lived, because of modern technology, we
must be especially careful what we bring into our homes via radio, television
and Internet. The Internet is a wonderful tool to bring the Word of God to
visitors and other surfers, and to evangelize for our Faith, but at the same
time, we are but one click away from bringing evil stuff into our homes. Here we
must exercise our most strenuous mortification to bar all this evil from our
homes. SF really must mortify their senses, or holiness goes out the window.
Remember that in all of this, the devil is stoking up the fires of temptation.
Yes, Satan is real and he strikes when we least expect it and particularly when
we're down, when we are having a weak moment or a time when we're teetering on
the edge between good and evil. Satan and evil is synonymous. Fight evil with
all your might, with all your strength and ask Jesus to be with you in that
battle. Secular Franciscans always live their lives in the Name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, using the example and Rule of our
Seraphic Father, Saint Francis. Saint Francis, pray for us. St. Clare pray for
us!
(Written by F.
Schaeffer, SFO 4-30-2003)
A
Life of Prayer
As above, when Secular
Franciscans were still using the Rule of Saint Francis of Pope Leo XIII, Father
Marion Habig, OFM, in 1972 published his "New Catechism of the Third Order"
published by Franciscan Herald Press. This catechism has some very practical advice under the chapter title:
A Life of Prayer. We would like to present here some portions of that chapter for
educational purposes.
"Prayer means
speaking lovingly with God, either by word or mouth or in the silent language of
the soul. It means turning our soul to God, occupying our noblest faculties with
God, raising both mind and heart to God--not merely the intellect but also and
especially the will. St. Bonaventure defines prayer as 'as ascent of the
intellect to God.'"
St. Augustine
wrote: "Faith believes, hope and charity pray; but since the latter cannot exist
without the former, faith also prays." Very often when we pray, we ask God for
something. "Lord, make my friend well." Good prayer, but as a prayer it is not
complete. Or, rather, it could be more. There are traditionally, four elements
to praying, adoration, thanksgiving, propitiation (contrition, atonement), and,
petition. Let's look at these four elements. When spending some time before the
Tabernacle, one could give equal time to these four elements.
Adoration:
We bow down before our creator, before God, and acknowledge him to be the
supreme God and Master, giving Him homage, and honor due God alone. Talk to God
as if you were talking to your best friend, for example: "Dear Jesus, I love you
and praise you because you are all love and goodness and you are at the right
hand of the Father in heaven. You have suffered and died for us and made heaven
available to us and I would love to be with you for all time."
Thanksgiving:
Here we give thanks to God, the giver of all that is good, for example:
"Dear Father (Abba), I thank you from my heart for all the graces you have given
me throughout my life. For allowing me to bring you in the Most Blessed
Sacrament to the sick, and thus for making Jesus constantly available to us in
Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity every day of my life. Thank you also for having
been baptized in the Roman Catholic faith, and all the moments of grace I've
experienced daily."
Propitiation:
We ask God to forgive us for all our shortcomings, we express sorrow
for our sins, for example: "Dear Lord, I am so sorry for all the sins I have
willfully committed during my life and even now, today. Knowing you and
compassion and mercy itself, I place all these problems at the foot of the
Cross, and ask your forgiveness. I promise to do better and to try to sin no
more."
Petition:
Now, lastly, we ask God to "give us spiritual and temporal assistance in all the
needs of soul and body, so that we may serve him well and faithfully here on
earth and attain the purpose of our existence. We ask such blessings not only
for ourselves but also for others." We also ask the Our Blessed Mother Mary,
and, the Saints and Blesseds, the friends of God, to intercede with God for us.
"Prayers to saints are really prayers addressed indirectly to God himself." An
example might be: "Dear Jesus, please make my friend well. Watch over me, too. I
lift my friend up to you, Blessed Mother and pray you will intercede to your
Son, that my friend will be healed. Saint Francis, please pray for my friend."
So here we have a nice
prayer, using the examples from above: "Dear Jesus, I love you and praise
you because you are all love and goodness and you are at the right hand of the
Father in heaven. You have suffered and died for us and made heaven available to
us and I would love to be with you for all time. Dear Father (Abba), I thank you
from my heart for all the graces you have given me throughout my life. For
allowing me to bring you in the Most Blessed Sacrament to the sick, and thus for
making Jesus constantly available to us in Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity every
day of my life. Thank you also for having been baptized in the Roman Catholic
faith, and all the moments of grace I've experienced daily. Dear Lord, I am so
sorry for all the sins I have willfully committed during my life and even now,
today. Knowing you are compassion and mercy itself, I place all these problems
at the foot of the Cross, and ask your forgiveness. I promise to do better and
to try to sin no more. Dear Jesus, please make my friend well. Watch over me,
too. I lift my friend up to you, Blessed Mother and pray you will intercede to
your Son, that my friend will be healed. Saint Francis, please pray for my
friend."
We should pray
with attention and devotion. We've got to keep our thoughts on the prayer, not
on a television or radio which happens to be on at the same time. We do not give
in to distractions of any kind. And, of course, we must mean what we say to God.
Prayer must never be rattled off without thought. When in church, praying
(outside of Holy Mass) we should kneel if we can. For those with ongoing
arthritis or other disabilities, of course, they could be seated. We pray with
humility. We are unworthy people because all of us are sinners in one way or
another. So our prayer should be said as a child petitions his or her father.
Persevere! We
should pray frequently, every day. We pray even if we don't feel like it, but
when we pray we pray because we love God and not out of sentimentality or
because it feels good. We acknowledge that we periodically experience periods of
dryness but we keep plugging away. Persevere in prayer!
There are various
forms of prayer. For many people it is prayer out of a book. For others, it is
mental prayer or meditation. Many use conversational prayer, something like the
example given above. There are also those, mostly but not exclusively religious
and priests, who engage in contemplation. That is not a form of prayer we
initiate with God but rather, God gives it to us as a gift. All prayer is a gift
and comes from the Grace God gives us when we love Him.
(Written by F.
Schaeffer, SFO 5-01-2003)
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