conversion
Laying the fourth pillar of the Franciscan house: Conversion
After contemplating Christ in the mystery of his Incarnation and chose the example of St. Francis to follow the path of poverty , even in his lowering kneeling to disciples’ feet on Holy Thursday: We ask the 4th pillar of the Franciscan house: conversion.
The meaning of the word conversion : transformation, change of direction, implies the idea of a return.
In the Bible , the word penance, conversion, metanoia are similar, they mean: to turn to, turn around, go back, take another direction, ” God made us return “(Ps 79); ” Repent and believe in the gospel ” (Mk 1:14)
Following the example of St Paul, the conversion can be sudden, a total change of life: the persecution of Christians in the announcement of death and Resurrection of Christ.
But most often, the conversion requires several steps. The conversion of St. Francis: the poor spurned the encounter with the leper, the count before the bishop …
Proofreading, meditation “poor jilted” which was an important step in its conversion can be a light on the way the Lord also proceeds in our own conversion. (Anonymous of Perugia Ch. 1, No. 4)
* Through the events of everyday life . “One day Francis was busy in the shop where he sold cloth, a poor came and asked alms for the love of God. Retained by greed and the cares of commerce, he refused him alms. “
* Touched by divine grace. ” But this one just out, divine grace touched the heart of Francis” : It is the Spirit of God always takes the initiative. In his Testament St. Francis notes several times this intervention of God: “The Lord led me … the Lord gave me … After the Lord gave me brothers … “
* Recognize his fault. : ” He reproached his gesture “ If recognize weak sinner we do regularly in the Eucharist, and praying the Psalms: Psalm 50; but recognize it in the reality of our days it’s harder.
* A decision : “He resolved not now deny what we ask him in the name of so Lord “
* It acts poses a concrete act. : “And the poor recalling that he had referred it gave him an important charity. “This is a choice, François takes an action: he decided that henceforth he no longer turn away his face from a poor (2 celano 5). This event marked his life, he understood that commit acts transforms us more than all our pious thoughts and resolutions taken often nowhere. Also it will make a course of action, for himself and for his brothers, his continual conversion to the Gospel.
“A brother was a day to let go of the hurtful words against a poor man who asked him for alms, Francois sentenced the brother a terrible warning, then ordered him to strip off his clothes in the presence of the poor and kiss feet asking for forgiveness “ (1 celano 76).
“And if it happened that a brother has said to another, a word that could have disturbed his conscience reproached him so much that he could not sleep until his fault confessed he is humbly lying down and he did ask about his own mouth the foot of the offended brother … “ (3 Companions No. 43)
These practices may appear excessive to us today, yet our Rule and Life, which we Job did, we demand the same evangelical radicalism ” if it happened between them a word or a gesture or chance of irritation or disorder, immediately before presenting to God the offering of prayer, that they humbly ask forgiveness of one another . ” (Ch. 7 No. 24 fraternal life)
* The other : part of my spiritual path. For St. Francis is the refusal to accept the poor as his eyes opened. It is through the recognition of my failures, that the Spirit of God calls me. For each of us, the people I meet, the sisters of my community, can open my eyes and ask me to convert. The day of our Profession, publicly, we decided, chose to “live the Gospel in fraternity” this decision requires a conversion attachment continues to Christ.
“As guided by the Lord, they will begin life in penance, convinced that all we have to convert ourselves continually . On an undivided heart, they may well grow in universal love,converting continually to God and neighbor . (Rule and Life Ch. 2 No. 6 and 8) The text of our Rule is in the chapter on training ” From those who want to share this life ” But this call to conversion is for all, when age advances it is good not to believe happen each regardless of the stage of his life is still just beginning, we all put us on a journey every morning.
* Take seriously the simplicity of the Gospel , not let what is not living the gospel, do not procrastinate our conversion, “Come! A little ardor, and repent! “(Apocalypse Ch. 7)” but to arm themselves for spiritual warfare “(Ch. 6 Ephesians) and be determined, passionate, tenacious will have this in the example of our Founder, let ourselves be transformed by the Spirit Lord: “Francis would have never missed a visit by negligence of the Spirit, when the opportunity presented itself, he welcomed him faithfully .” (LM Ch. 10 No. 2)
ask for each other through this conversion. By our own strength it is impossible,“Lord by ourselves we are but poverty; but you, because of your own, give us to do what we know you want to. ” (Letter to the Entire Order No. 50)
The pastoral theme for the pilgrimages to Lourdes 2014: the joy of conversion . With all those who this year will have the grace to participate in this pilgrimage that we are given this joy, this enthusiasm to convert us then what ” is bitter in my daily life will be changed smoothly” ( Testament St. Francis). This is God’s work.
“Let us begin, brothers, to serve the Lord, for it is only if we have previously made some progress! “It was so far from believing happen but tenacious in hiswill constantly renewed in holiness , he always kept hoping to start. ” (1 celano 103).
Pillars that supported the first convent of friars at the Portiuncula, mother and head of the Order of Friars Minor.