Transcript I have called you by name. You are mine because you are precious in my eyes, you are honored and I love you”

I have called you by name.
You are mine because you are precious
in my eyes, you are honored and I love
you” (Isaiah 43:1)
Primary: Sharing in the life of God
For all people
Personal: Call to an individual
Specific: Call to a life style
Basic to any analysis of vocation
is the belief that God loves each one of us
unconditionally.
“Look into your experience, find the ways in
which God has acted within your life, and
then you will come to know that God is a
God of love.” (Deuteronomy 4:32-34)
God created us
God made a covenant with us through the chosen people. “I will be your God”
God sent prophets to communicate with human beings.
Jesus became human.
Jesus showed us how to live.
Jesus died for us.
The Holy Spirit inspired the scriptures
The Holy Spirit dwells in us.
The Holy Spirit continues to guide, direct and comfort.
THAT THEY MAY BE ALL ONE AS YOU, FATHER
ARE IN ME AND I AM IN YOU
THAT THEY MAY ALSO BE IN US.
(John 17 vs. 21)
GOD’S PLAN FROM ALL ETERNITY
THE ULTIMATE PLAN FOR ALL PEOPLE IS UNION WITH GOD.
JESUS DOES WHAT WE COULD NOT DO FOR OURSELVES.
THROUGH HIS LIFE DEATH AND RESURRECTION, THERE CAN BE
SHARING OF LIFE BETWEEN THE HUMAN AND DIVINE.
IMPORTANT OPTION (OUR CHOICE)
GOD MAKES THE FIRST MOVE.
GOD NEVER FORCES US TO RESPOND.
GOD DEALS WITH US IN A UNIQUE, PERSONAL WAY.
Examples:
THE RICH YOUNG MAN
THE GERASENE DEMONIAC
THE CALL OF ZACHEUS
“THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD,YOUR HOLINESS”
(1 Thessalonians 4:13)
CAN WE BE HOLY?
CAN WE BE PERFECT?
BAPTISM’S GRACE AND ANOINTING
A VOCATION IS NOT JUST FOR THE PERSON CALLED.
IT IS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PERSON AND THE COMMUNITY.
“GOD IN HIS MERCY HAS CALLED US NOT SO MUCH
FOR OUR SAKE
AS FOR THE SAKE OF THE MANY.”
(St. Francis)
VOCATION INCLUDES AN OFFERING AND A SURRENDER.
CAN I WILLINGLY OFFER THE TOTAL AND BEST GIFT OF
MYSELF WITHOUT CONDITIONS OR TIME LIMITS?
“Hold back nothing of yourself for yourself,
so that he who gave himself totally to us may
receive us totally.”
(St. Francis Letter to the Entire Order)
Francis reflects Christ and leads us to Him.
IT IS CHRIST WE SEEK
Many people are attracted to St. Francis.
Attraction is not enough.
One can be inspired by Francis but not be destined
to serve in a consecrated Franciscan form of life.
1. Can I put aside feelings of romanticism, sentimentalism
about St. Francis?
2. Do I identify with the things about Jesus that Francis
discovered and on which he based his way of living and
serving?
3. Looking at my own life experiences, am I ready to learn
more about this way and make the effort to embrace
the Franciscan path?
4. Can I accept living and nurturing the charism of Francis
to make it present in the world?
Definition: The process of making a judgment about
something that is not clear.
Essential: Prayer
How well do we understand the gifts
that Francis received?
Can we look at Christ with the eyes of Francis?
• A very intense
Eucharistic Spirituality
•A genuine sense of
minority
• A very strong fraternal
communion
• A complete and active
abandonment to God.
• Simplicity
• Conversion
• Poverty
• Transformation
• Humility
• Peacemaking
Signs that an individual may have a vocation to the Secular
Franciscan Order
The individual:
Is a good, practical Catholic.
Has a desire to follow Jesus and His Gospel- the heart of our way of life?
Has a personal relationship with Jesus, not just intellectual knowledge about Jesus?
Is hope-filled and willing and able to deal with life’s issues?
Realizes that we are all sinful and in need of conversion?
Has some knowledge of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi?
Is willing & able to commit to the Rule of the S F O and to live in fraternity?
Trusts God and realizes the importance of God in one’s life?
Has a reverence for all creation and a sense of courtesy and respect for it?
Is willing to embrace a counter-cultural stance that is part of life in fraternity and are
able and willing to share creative ideas and life with others?
(Come and See, Lester Bach, OFM Capuchin.)
Secular Franciscans learn about the way of life through
study, practice and application based on:
Scripture
Rule
Constitutions
Many other authentic resources
Experiences with the sisters and brothers in fraternity
•Personal presence at fraternity gatherings
•Witness
•Prayer
•Active collaboration, in accordance with each one’s
situation and possible obligations for the animation of
the fraternity.
SFO Constitutions Article 30.2
SUPPORT
ENCOURAGEMENT
INSPIRATION
“Do not be afraid, I will be with you.
(Exodus 3:11)