Franciscan Spirituality 101 - Part 2

[danjf]

We don't need "more St. Francis' & St. Clare's" - we need more people to emulate them! And where did St. Francis get his ideas and way of life? From Jesus. This world would be a much better place if people do what St. Francis and St. Clare did. Just read the slides on the screen starting at minute 21:30 and you'll get a (small) tatse of what Franciscan spirituality is all about. God is Love. Praise be Jesus and Mary ❤

[tonyultrasound]

Rather than attempting to live life as a "Franciscan" we should be looking to Jesus who is the author and finisher of our salvation.
Francis did not live a sinless, perfect life, much less die on a cross for the remission of our sins. Of course Francis never claimed to have done that
The Bible over and over exhorts believers in Christ (for only believers can or will even want to) to be imitators of God as we hear in Ephesians 5:1-2; 15-21 "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God....Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ."
1 Corinthians 10:23-26, 31-33, 11:1 “I have the right to do anything, ” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.... So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."

[tonyultrasound]

Had to stop watching this at about the 40 minute mark. "Let them take nothing for the journey" - is an admonition by Jesus to the 12 when they went out evangelising. Luke 9:1-6 "And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
And these "earlier rule" statements about not keeping any animal with them and "let it not be lawful" for them to ride horseback...just come out of nowhere. Jesus rode on a donkey on Palm Sunday, Paul (actually Saul at the time) rode a horse....
So much legalism to no avail.

[tonyultrasound]

There is no biblical reason to personify the Sun, the moon and stars, the earth or death; these are objects that God has created (or as the wages of sin, in the case of death). These are not our "brothers and sisters". As much as I loved my dog (and although he seemed to think otherwise) he was NOT my brother. God only made mankind in His image and after His likeness. We care for and respect all of God's creation but we do not lift inanimate objects or animals to a level of equality with us. The directive to have dominion over the earth was given only to mankind.

[johnnyolsen]

Needed to hear this 🙌!!! Don't miss out > P r o m o S M.