JPIC PRESENTATION ST. MARGARET OF CORTONA REGION SECULAR - - PDF document

JPIC PRESENTATION

• ST. MARGARET OF CORTONA REGION

SECULAR FRANCISCANS

WHAT IS JPIC? Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation Although these themes have long been a part of Catholic teaching–and they are integral to the Gospel–there has been a renewed emphasis on them since Vatican II. There are several reasons for this: our world is getting smaller, people of faith are better educated and have more direct involvement in governmental and non-governmental decision-making, and we are becoming more aware of the limits of our national and global resources. All religious communities, and lay people, are called to play a greater role in this area. It is especially important to do so at a time when many people question the wisdom of our institutions, and trust is them is waning. Furthermore, solutions in these problem areas cannot be thought up and implemented solely by governments; there is a real need for government-private sector partnership. Many non-governmental organizations are actually more thoughtful and efficient than governments, and they are less prone to political pressure. Finding meaningful and enduring solutions to the JPIC issues requires dialogue with and the involvement of all elements of society, including those requiring assistance. The solutions cannot be imposed top-down; the areas and people in need must be directly involved in discovering and implementing solutions. HOW DOES JPIC RELATE TO CATHOLICISM? We can start with the basic Gospel message: God is Love (1 Jn 4:8) and Jesus’ great commission “Go into all the world to teach the Gospel” (Mt 28:19-20). Since God is love, the way to preach that is to be loving to others. It is our greatest challenge, and fundamental to our faith. To continue, Jesus summed up the Law and the Prophets: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself” (MT 22:36-39). And he taught the Golden Rule: “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (LK 6:31). Finally, Jesus preached the Beatitudes, and the Church teaches us that these, in combination with the Ten Commandments, are instructions on how we are to live our lives: When Jesus[a] saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom

• f heaven.

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“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Mt 5:1-11) Another prime teaching from the Gospels is the story of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:25-37). Like him, we should readily seek to help others in need, heal them, protect them, and teach them. To do these things requires that we undergo a personal transformation and become Jesus to others. WHAT IS THE FRANCISCAN CONNECTION? Justice: God’s justice–lifting up the lowly and condemning the wicked–can and should be left to God, many would say. However, how does God work in our world except through us? As good samaritans, we should help right the wrongs of society: protect those who need protection, address personal and systemic ills, and engage in active healing of both individuals and society. It is up to us to help establish God’s kingdom on earth. Peace: As Franciscans, we consider ourselves “people of peace.” What exactly is peace, though? At a minimum it is the cessation of violence and chaos, and developing a feeling of wholeness, safety and well-being. It is certainly that, and much more. Sometimes in order to end strife, and attempt to bring about peace, we must take a strong stand, and even strong actions. Therefore, justice and peace go hand in hand. Integrity of Creation: One of St. Francis’ great insights was the kinship of all creation. All of us, and all of creation, came from God. It is right for us to make use of creation for the benefit of

• ur lives. Like Francis, we should appreciate creation. However, it is important to remember we

are merely its stewards, not the owners; God is the owner. Although we may enjoy our earthly garden, it is our responsibility to hand it on to future generations in good condition. This is a sacred trust. WHAT ABOUT POVERTY? How does JPIC relate to poverty? After all, isn’t Franciscanism all about poverty? Well, poverty is a complicated issue. Even for Jesus, poverty had many meanings, depending on the context: material poverty vs. wealth, spiritual poverty vs. blindness. Simplifying our lives prepares us to enter into solidarity with those who have material needs. Since what we have comes from God, it is right for us to share it with those who are not so blessed materially. In some cases, people in material poverty may have less spiritual poverty than the affluent. They may be open to sharing with others, and have a deeper need for our Lord. Jesus taught us (summarized in the Beatitudes) to help people with material, health, and security needs. We are expected to stand up for the oppressed, and that includes working to change systems which tend to mire some groups in poverty, or which are patently unfair to those with less income. We need to put some effort into building the Kingdom of God on earth. After all, we are calling for just that when we pray the Lord’s Prayer: “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” So, let’s look for ways to build the kingdom.

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Some routes out of poverty are relatively easy: literacy and education, hard work, prudent spending and wise saving, etc. However, the routes that often lead people into poverty are also very easy: alcohol and substance addiction, debilitating physical and mental medical issues, gambling, prostitution, a criminal record, and so forth. Also, the structures of our communities

• ften make it hard for people to climb out of poverty: the need for a car to commute in the

absence of public transportation, lack of public housing and the inability to afford rent near work, the need to work several jobs to pay expenses, the high cost and difficulty of finding child care, and the list goes on. While these issues certainly involve poverty, they also relate to social justice, and only by resolving them can we bring a modicum of peace to the individual and society. Glancing over the above issues raises some possibilities for individual action: teaching, tutoring, mentoring, providing financial and legal advice; working in soup kitchens, shelters, and community organizations providing relief; advocating on the local and state levels on behalf of the poor for increased public housing, grace periods for the payment of utilities, lessening bond payments, group homes and halfway houses, affordable public transportation, and adequate child care. Jesus calls us to be “woke” spiritually, step up to the plate, and play our part to bring in the Kingdom of God. RELATIONSHIP TO THE SECULAR FRANCISCAN RULE The Secular Franciscan Rule: The JPIC agenda embodies seemingly every rule of the Secular Franciscan Order found in Chapter 2: The Way of Life. Here are the key relevant points of those paragraphs: Para 4 - Summary: Our relationship to the Gospel The rule and life of the Secular Franciscans is this: to observe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example of St. Francis of Assisi who made Christ the inspiration and the center of his life with God and people. Christ, the gift of the Father’s love, is the way to him, the truth into which the Holy Spirit leads us, and the life which he has come to give abundantly. Secular Franciscans should devote themselves especially to careful reading of the gospel, going from gospel to life and life to gospel. Para 5 - Summary: The call to encounter Christ in each other Secular Franciscans, therefore, should seek to encounter the living and active person of Christ in their brothers and sisters, in Sacred Scripture, in the Church, and in liturgical

• activity. The faith of St. Francis, who often said, “I see nothing bodily of the Most High

Son of God in this world except His most holy body and blood,” should be the inspiration and pattern of their Eucharistic life. Para 6 - Summary: The call to witness to Christ and rebuild the church They have been made living members of the Church by being buried and raised with Christ in baptism; they have been united more intimately with the Church by profession. Therefore, they should go forth as witnesses and instruments of her mission among all people, proclaiming Christ by their life and words.

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Called like Saint Francis to rebuild the Church and inspired by his example, let them devote themselves energetically to living in full communion with the pope, bishops, and priests, fostering an open and trusting dialog of apostolic effectiveness and creativity. Para 7 - Summary: The call to continuous conversion and personal transformation United by their vocation as “brothers and sisters of penance” and motivated by the dynamic power of the gospel, let them conform their thoughts and deeds to those of Christ by means of that radical interior change which the gospel calls “conversion.” Human frailty makes it necessary that this conversion be carried out daily. On this road to renewal the sacrament of reconciliation is the privileged sign of the Father’s mercy and the source of grace. Para 8 - Summary: The call to prayer, contemplation and participation in the sacraments As Jesus was the true worshipper of the Father, so let prayer and contemplation be the soul of all they are and do. Let them participate in the sacramental life of the Church, above all the Eucharist. Let them join in liturgical prayer in one of the forms proposed by the Church, reliving the mysteries of the life of Christ. Para 9 - Summary: The call to imitate Mary’s complete self-giving The Virgin Mary, humble servant of the Lord, was open to His every word and call. She was embraced by Francis with indescribable love and declared the protectress and advocate of his family. The Secular Franciscans should express their ardent love for her by imitating her complete self-giving and by praying earnestly and confidently. Para 10 - Summary: The call to fulfill our duties and witness to Christ United themselves to the redemptive obedience of Jesus, who placed His will into the Father’s hands, let them faithfully fulfill the duties proper to their various circumstances

• f life. Let them also follow the poor and crucified Christ, witness to Him even in

difficulties and persecutions. Para 11 - Summary: The call to detach from temporal goods and simplify material needs Trusting the Father, Christ chose for Himself and His mother a poor and humble life, even though He valued created things attentively and lovingly. Let the Secular Franciscans seek a proper spirit of detachment from temporal goods by simplifying their

• wn material needs. Let them be mindful that according to the gospel they are stewards
• f the goods received for the benefit of God’s children.

Thus, in the spirit of the Beatitudes, and as pilgrims and strangers on their way to the home of the Father, they should strive to purify their hearts from every tendency and yearning for possession and power. Para 12 - Summary: The call to be freed to love God and our fellow humans Witnessing to the good yet to come and obligated to acquire purity of heart because of the vocation they have embraced, they should set themselves free to love God and their brothers and sisters.

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Para 13 - Summary: The call to accept all people as a gift of the Lord, and solidarity with the needy As the Father sees in every person the features of his Son, the firstborn of many brothers and sisters, so the Secular Franciscans with a gentle and courteous spirit accept all people as a gift of the Lord and an image of Christ. A sense of community will make them joyful and ready to place themselves on an equal basis with all people, especially with the lowly for whom they shall strive to create conditions of life worthy of people redeemed by Christ. Para 14 - Summary: The call to build a more fraternal and evangelical world 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 the Christian spirit

• f service.

Para 15 - Summary: The call to promote justice Let them individually and collectively be in the forefront in promoting justice by the testimony of their human lives and their courageous initiatives. Especially in the field of public life, they should make definite choices in harmony with their faith. Para 16 - Summary: The call to regard our work as a gift and to use our talents to further God’s kingdom on earth Let them esteem work both as a gift and as a sharing in the creation, redemption, and service of the human community. Para 17 - Summary: The call to cultivate peace, fidelity and respect for life within the family In their family they should cultivate the Franciscan spirit of peace, fidelity, and respect for life, striving to make of it a sign of a world already renewed in Christ. By living the grace of matrimony, husbands and wives in particular should bear witness in the world to the love of Christ for His Church. They should joyfully accompany their children on their human and spiritual journey by providing a simple and open Christian education and being attentive to the vocation of each child. Para 18 - Summary: The call to respect all creatures and embrace universal kinship Moreover they should respect all creatures, animate and inanimate, which “bear the imprint of the Most High,” and they should strive to move from the temptation of exploiting creation to the Franciscan concept of universal kinship. Para 19 - Summary: The call to seek unity and harmony through dialogue, and strive to bring joy and hope to others Mindful that they are bearers of peace which must be built up unceasingly, they should seek out ways of unity and fraternal harmony through dialogue, trusting in the presence

• f the divine seed in everyone and in the transforming power of love and pardon.

Messengers of perfect joy in every circumstance, they should strive to bring joy and hope to others. Since they are immersed in the resurrection of Christ, which gives true meaning to Sister Death, let them serenely tend toward the ultimate encounter with the Father.

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NOW THAT WE KNOW WHAT JPIC IS, WHAT SHOULD WE DO ABOUT IT? This is the crux of the problem. We may consider five distinct levels for which we bear some responsibility. Not all of us will be able to make a contribution to each of these areas, but since they inter-relate we should be mindful of how progress in one area may affect the situation in others. FIVE ARENAS FOR ACTION: Family - We must strive to be good Catholic children, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, parents and grandparents. Bearing in mind our Christian principles, we should treat all others with respect, love, and compassion. We should strive to encourage, care for, teach and discipline those for whom we are responsible. Above all, we should strive to model Jesus in our relations with

• thers. We lead through example; actions speak louder than words.

Suggested actions: We can seek ways to simplify our lives by carefully weighing our purchases, decluttering and donating unused clothing and other items, limiting our carbon footprint, and adopting eco-friendly and green policies. Specifics: Spend quality time with our family members, organize outings for the entire family, as well as one-on-one occasions with each member of the family. The memory of such experiences lasts longer than material gifts, and they mean so much more. Community (Fraternity) - Within our neighborhood, workplace and Franciscan Fraternity, we should be good citizens and compassionate Christians. Suggested actions: We can seek opportunities to assist those in need, encourage eco- friendly policies, and stand up for the downtrodden. Specifics: As Catholics, our principal community is the Church; become active in the

• parish. The wider community also has numerous organizations and activities providing
• pportunities to promote peace, justice and the integrity of creation.

State - We can be good citizens by voting and participating in citizen action groups on issues of concern. Suggested actions: State legislation bears on important social issues, including health, education, housing and other forms of assistance to the poor. We should consider advocating on behalf of the needy to improve systemic and structural issues that affect them. Specifics: In each state, the Catholic Church maintains a lobbying effort at the state capital; find out what issues are paramount and provide your support. Nation - As citizens, we should vote and support groups that promote social justice, seek to eliminate poverty, and protect the environment. Suggested actions: Many issues of importance can only be addressed at the national

• level. We should consider changes that need to be made in existing programs and

policies and advocate on behalf of those who depend on public assistance.

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Specifics: Organizations that operate at the national level include the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Franciscan Action Network, both headquartered in Washington, DC. Review the issues they promote, determine which ones you support, and communicate with your state representatives. There are many opportunities to be active. World - In general, we are better served by a world system that operates on widely accepted legal structures. International law already provides guidance for the conduct of war, protection for refugees and non-combatants in war zones, and works to discourage piracy, slavery, human trafficking and other crimes against individuals. The world system also maintains programs to provide food and medical assistance. However, these programs are not always well managed and do not reach everyone in need. Many individual governments, non-governmental organizations, religious groups and philanthropic enterprises strive to fill in the gaps, but even their reach is not universal. Suggested actions: We should become better educated about the issues we most care about, determine how we can best help, and then offer our personal talents or treasures to the effort. We can also help educate others about the needs beyond our shores. Specifics: The Catholic Church is very active internationally. Consider supporting the following organizations: Catholic Charities, Catholic Relief Services, Caritas

• International. Franciscans International plays an important role in the work of many

United Nations activities in New York and Geneva, Switzerland. The Community of Sant’Egidio, in Rome, a church public lay association, has played an important role in ecumenism and in peacemaking; it operates in more than 70 countries. You may want to learn more about these organizations, become involved, or lend them your support in

• ther ways.

OUR CHALLENGE To be true to our faith and vocation, we need now to look around us at the forms of injustice, the insults to peace and the degradations with respect to God’s creation. Which one of these evils tugs at our heart? Which one is at hand for us to tackle? Where can we spend our energy to the best effect? Let us give prayerful consideration to how we, as Secular Franciscans, can make a difference in the world, and help to usher in the Kingdom of God.

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