Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation
From the St. Francis of Assisi JPIC Team (Mike, Marion, Maureen & Charlie)
February, 2019
Bearers of Peace: A Call to Action
From the St. Francis of Assisi JPIC Team (Mike, Marion, Maureen & Charlie)
February, 2019
Bearers of Peace: A Call to Action
“…bearers of peace which must be built up unceasingly, they should seek out ways of unity and fraternal harmony through dialogue …
Messengers of perfect joy in every circumstance, they should strive to bring joy and hope to others.” (Article 19 of our Rule)
(The following is a reflection by Carolyn D. Townes, OFS, National JPIC Animator, USA)
What I especially love and appreciate about Article 19 is that it states emphatically in the opening that we “are bearers of peace...” not that we strive to become, or we will be someday – but that we already are. And as such, we must bring that bold statement to life, into action – every moment of our lives. Not someday. Not when we are ready, but right this very moment.
What a great grace that God has bestowed upon us – a grace we must all live up to and into. And how do we live out this gift of grace? By doing it in love. Not the love of feeling as we wait until we feel something. But the love of doing, making the decision every single moment to will the good of the other; to wish the other “peace and all good,” and to truly mean it. When Saint Francis set about wishing his fellow countrymen “Pace e bene,” he truly meant it.
(excerpt from the Fall, 2018 issue of TAU-USA, the newsletter of the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order)
Messengers of perfect joy in every circumstance, they should strive to bring joy and hope to others.” (Article 19 of our Rule)
(The following is a reflection by Carolyn D. Townes, OFS, National JPIC Animator, USA)
What I especially love and appreciate about Article 19 is that it states emphatically in the opening that we “are bearers of peace...” not that we strive to become, or we will be someday – but that we already are. And as such, we must bring that bold statement to life, into action – every moment of our lives. Not someday. Not when we are ready, but right this very moment.
What a great grace that God has bestowed upon us – a grace we must all live up to and into. And how do we live out this gift of grace? By doing it in love. Not the love of feeling as we wait until we feel something. But the love of doing, making the decision every single moment to will the good of the other; to wish the other “peace and all good,” and to truly mean it. When Saint Francis set about wishing his fellow countrymen “Pace e bene,” he truly meant it.
(excerpt from the Fall, 2018 issue of TAU-USA, the newsletter of the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order)
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