Why Be
A Secular Franciscan
What advantage is there in living a professed Gospel way of Life?
Basically, the way of the Commandments of God is the way that leads to perfection. Actually, the way of the Commandments is encompassed in living up to the first two commandments: to love God all out, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Our challenge as Secular Franciscans is to LIVE these two commandments. Only by LIVING them can we hope to mold ourselves as dedicated Secular Franciscans seeking spiritual perfection in closer union with God.
Professed Secular Franciscans, like the religious, are a visible sign, a witness and an inspiration to all those who they meet. This thought is a great challenge to our responsibility as a Secular Franciscan.
Religious and professed Secular Franciscans express what Christ means to them by the very structure of their lives. All in the Church are called upon to observe the evangelical councils of poverty, chastity and obedience. In a religious and professed Secular Franciscan they become visible and tangible, a Religious taking these vows and a Secular Franciscan professing publicly to live in the spirit of them. By living in the spirit, God becomes real to us and this reality of God in our lives can bring our humanity to the fulfillment that comes from sharing in the Divinity of Christ.”
The Gospel life must be lived in such a way that Secular Franciscans witness to it. This is such a very important thing for us to keep in mind at all times. If we do not bear the responsibility we could risk the possibility of becoming a scandal.
To help us live the reality of God in our lives we need faith without questioning. We should help others believe by ourselves praying and living the faith.
People must see from our lives that God exists and that He brings happiness to those who follow in the Gospel footsteps of His Son.
When we radiate joy because of our close association with Christ we help others to believe and experience in themselves, more and more, the spiritual riches available through Christ.
