Focus on the Admonitions (IV, VI and IX)

Focus on the Admonitions  (IV, VI and IX) 

https://www.franciscantradition.org/francis-of-assisi-early-documents/the-saint/writings-of-francis/the-undated-writings/the-admonitions/144-fa-ed-1-page-128

 

[IV: Let No One Make Being Over Others His Own]

¹I did not come to be served, but to serve, says the Lord. Mt 20:28

²Let those who are placed over others boast about that position as much as they would if they were assigned the duty of washing the feet of their brothers. ³And if they are more upset at having their place over others taken away from them than at losing their position at their feet, the more they store up a money bag ^{Jn 12:6} to the peril of their soul.^c

 

[VI: Imitation of Christ]

¹Let all of us, brothers, consider the Good Shepherd Who bore the suffering of the cross to save His sheep.

²The Lord’s sheep followed Him in tribulation and persecution, in shame and hunger, in weakness and temptation, and in other ways; and for these things they received eternal life from the Lord.

³Therefore, it is a great shame for us, the servants of God, that the saints have accomplished great things and we want only to receive glory and honor by recounting them.

 

[IX: Love]

¹The Lord says: Love your enemies [do good to those who hate you and pray for those who persecute and slander you]. ^{Mt 5:44}

²For that person truly loves his enemy who is not hurt by an injury done to him, ³but, because of love of God, is stung by the sin of his soul. ⁴Let him show him love by his deeds.

 

To discuss or answer in your journal:

• How does Admonition IV inspire me in my role as a servant leader in my fraternity? What does it say to me as a parent or as a leader in my community?
• How does Admonition VI encourage me to be strong in my following of Christ? How do I handle suffering for Christ? How do I explain my commitment to Christ to others?
• When you think about Admonition IX, what is your reaction?  

 

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