To Bring Christ To Our Age, Through Francis
Every time I speak to a Regional gathering, I usually begin with an explanation of the Commissions. I try to explain how the Commissions were established, how they operate and the difference between Formation, Youth/Young Adults and the four Apostolic Commissions. I explain that even though the Order established the Commissions at a given point in time, the spirit and life of the Commissions were present from the inception of our Order! By our Profession, we live out the character of the Commissions in our everyday life, even if we do not realize it. The work of the Commissions are so ingrained within our Franciscan charism, that most of us do not look at our lives as functioning within the framework of a Commission, but as simply living our Profession as a Secular Franciscan. It is a flame that has been consistently burning throughout our Order's history.
With that said, how do we utilize the work of the Commissions, as we see them today in our Order, to build up the Kingdom of God? Since the beginning of our Order, we, who live in the world, have touched and shaped the world around us. Resources were few and most of the impact was only seen in the area immediately around us. "Networking" as we know it today, took months, if not years, to reach out beyond our borders.
Today we are blessed with a plethora of technology, which allows us to reach beyond ourselves. We are able to reach other cities, states and across the world with a phone call or the press of a computer key! Because of this kind of outreach, the Commissions, at every level, can be an indispensable tool to be used for resource information and support for our ventures
The work of the Commissions is to "help us to bring Christ close to our age, in our difficult and critical times." To bring to the forefront, the struggle of our brothers and sisters in the world who need to hear the good news of Christ through us. We need to share what Christ is doing in our lives with those who need to hear it. We need to let our enthusiasm ooze into every part of the world around us. We are ALREADY living the Commissions! But we must get out the word of our successes, and even our failures, in the work of the Spirit. We cannot hold this good news close to ourselves, but we must be willing to share our knowledge and experience to help others who may be questioning or struggling in their fraternities.
This summer at the All Commissions Conference, we will have that opportunity to share with each other. We need to share what we are doing, what is working and what is not working. It will be a chance to honestly share the lack of action in some of our Regions, and what we feel are the obstacles that are holding our Regions back. It will be a chance to ask for help, share help and get help! Come celebrate the gift of our charism, our Order and of the Franciscan Youth! We need you there! COME TURN UP THE FLAME!
"You, Francis who brought Christ so close to your age, help us to bring Christ close to our age, to our difficult and critical times. Help us!"