JPIC Discernment Tool (Step 3: Understanding)

​This is the third of a 6 part series on discernment. To view the previous posting scroll down.

​St. Francis was calling me to a deeper understanding of my part in the Body of Christ. In 2006, I was professed as a Secular Franciscan.

"Understanding"

The thing that most attracted me to St. Francis was his understanding that all of God’s creation is ONE – we are intimately connected with one and all – we depend on each other in life and so each and every one of us has a part to play in sustaining life. 

The story of the wolf who was terrorizing the townsfolk in Gubbio represents this concept of interconnectedness for me. St. Francis listened with compassion to both parties (the townsfolk and the wolf) and understood - he saw the suffering of both the wolf who had been injured and left behind by his pack to die alone, and the terror of the townsfolk who had been viciously attacked by the wolf in his 

attempt to find food to survive. Francis found A WAY through insight and forgiveness for all to co-exist in peace. The townsfolk could feed the wolf from their plentiful resources and the wolf, in turn, 

Francis found A WAY through insight and forgiveness

would stop killing the livestock and people. God’s bounty was enough. There was food for the wolf and for the townspeople. All could be provided for and live in harmony.

I began to look at my life choices, being very aware that I live in a 21st century consumeristic society. Was I oblivious to the plight of the other in my desire to protect what is ‘rightfully’ mine? Was I one of the townsfolk? Was I oblivious to the plight of the other in my desire to protect what is ‘rightfully’ mine?

...world suffering because of my lack of compassion...

Were Brothers and Sisters in other parts of the world suffering because of my lack of compassion for them in their daily struggles and my need to amass more? Was I contributing to the depletion of their water sources, the reaping of their land or the pollution of their air so commodities could be manufactured for my pleasure and comfort?

Here are some questions you might consider:

• How are you present in the world?
• Are you a participant in the throw away culture?
• Do you use more than you need of energy and food?
• Where do the things you consume come from and how does it get to you?
• Is someone suffering because of the choices you make?

Ask for the grace to see how your life choices impact creation,
the poor and the vulnerable.

What challenges and joys do you experience as you recall how you care for creation?
​How can you, stand better, in solidarity with creation and the poor?