Commission Chairpersons:

Teresa Baker,SFO 603-432-9135 nfccochairs@aol.com
Anne Mulqueen, SFO 410-592-1662 Anne_Mulqueen@juno.com

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To Live the Gospel in Life-Giving Union With All Franciscans

By Fr. Richard Trezza, O.F.M.
National Formation Spiritual Assistant
rivotorto@aol.com 212-749-0276

I am writing this column on September 11th, 2003. It is 9:26AM … an hour ago, our friar community recited morning prayers and as we always do, we remembered those friars who shared our life and who died this day. Today, we remembered Mychal Judge, a friar from our province who was killed at the towers on that horrific day.

Today is a beautiful day … exactly the same weather as 2 years ago. Although the ntrepid New Yorkers seem to be going about their busi- ness, there is an eerie feeling in the air. “Time heals all wounds” goes the saying and it is evident that it will take a lot of time for the healing.

As with all moments of tragedy and crisis, people have been brought together in the knowledge and realization that all life is precious and fragile. Even though we may not act as if we are con- vinced, times like this tell us that we are indeed related.

Relationship is at the bottom of the injunction “to live the Gospel in life-giving union with all Franciscans.” The concept of relationsip is nothing new to us followers of Jesus Christ, who have but to look at the Trinity in order to appreciate the mystery of the relationship existing among Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Relationship was at the very core of Jesus’ ministry among us – beginning with His own relationship to His Father. He insisted in bringing the Law to perfection, enabling the followers of the Law to become transformed into loving, merciful and compassionate people … with His most enduring characteristics.

It is evident, in Francis’ imitation of Jesus, that Il Poverello drew all sorts of people into relationship with one another and ultimately with the Lord.

The “vital reciprocity” spoken of so eloquently in SFO documentation is pivotal in our under- standing of who we are as Franciscans … all of us … in all branches of the Franciscan movement. It has a lot to do with how we live and preach the Gospel, which is the foundation of our Rule of life.

Although they are different vocations, perhaps too much is made of the distinction between Secular Franciscans, religious sisters and brothers and friars … all Franciscans. The realization that we belong to the same family will give us the strength to be bold and creative in living and doing the Gospel for the People of God. The need to live and work together is most keenly felt at this point in history. .. especially in our Church, which always needs “rebuilding”.

The Seculars have the numbers and the worldly savvy (in the good sense). The Religious have the resources and the organization. It’s time to minimize arbitrary differences, while still respecting each other’s unique spiritualities, and pool our resources to take the Church by storm once again.

Our appreciation for each other’s charisms must be dealt with in initial and ongoing formation in all branches of the Franciscan Order. We have a lot going for ourselves, as a force in today’s Church. Let us ask the Spirit’s assistance in making our relationships with each other both “vital” and “reciprocal.”