Call to Discipleship

The call to discipleship is essentially a call to be formed into Christ Jesus. In Article 1 of our Rule, Secular Franciscans are “… called to follow Christ in the footsteps of Saint Francis of Assisi. Who calls? Who is called? Jesus calls all to follow him. In John 14:15-17, Jesus promises that if we love him and keep his command, he will send the advocate to help us and to be with us forever. Jesus calls the advocate “the Spirit of truth.”

The ultimate goal of formation is forming disciples, Alter Christi, to go forth into the marketplace to continue Christ’s mission. Quite simply put, Secular Franciscans bear witness to Christ by living the Gospel. The formator’s responsibility is to cultivate an awareness and desire to be formed into Christ in those they serve.

 

Each person has multiple formative moments in life. These moments are uniquely personal and life-altering. For St. Francis, the decisive moment was his encounter with Christ in the kiss of the leper. That was the moment he realized what had once seemed bitter to him became “… sweetness of soul and body.” He gave his life to Christ. These spiritual incidents are moments when the divine breaks into our lives and thereafter, nothing is the same.

 

Formators and those in their care must be open to grace-filled encounters with the Almighty and open to conversion. To respond as a disciple requires prayer and listening. In John 14:6 Jesus states unequivocally “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” The only way to know the way and the truth and the life is to base our beliefs and actions on the Gospel.

The only lasting way to follow Christ is to be formed into Christ. Then we can do our part in transforming the world by the power of the Holy Spirit.

For Further Study: Read the first two chapters of Acts of the Apostles and consider what caused the transformation among the apostles.

 

Thank you to Anne Mulqueen, OFS, Spiritual Assistant to the National Formation Commission, for allowing us to use her work.

Questions for discussion or to comment on in your journal:

+What transformational moments have you experienced in your life?

+How has the Holy Spirit transformed you since you became a Secular Franciscan?

+How do we as Secular Franciscans bear witness to Christ by living the Gospel?

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