Francis' spirituality can lead us to be healers Today

We have been living the Franciscan Capuchin Charism for good number of years and it has made an impact on our lives. This charism of ours should lead us now in this modern world to self-analysis and self-renewal to be effective and to give answers and solutions to the turmoil around us. We must now go out of ourselves to analyze and renew the world in which we live. An introspection of our lives will lead us to analysis of the society in which we live. The society badly needs you and me as sons of Francis of Assisi.

There are wars, disorder, killing, looting, hatred and race to be super powers through nuclear powers. The values and moral principles are being forgotten and abandoned by young and old. The result is seen everyday as we read newspapers and watch our TV sets. There are groups who are disturbing peace and spreading fear among citizens. Many of the members have good upbringing and family background and yet they fall into trap of vested interests. Many of them are from broken families and keep bad company. Some of them do not respect and obey the political, social and religious customs and practices which can create a wonderful society to live.

Jesus and Francis were in societies which were similar to ours. There was persecution and war all around but they had answers though misfits in their time. Their mission was not to adjust themselves to the world in which they lived, but to adjust the world to the will of God. They accepted and moved among those persecuted and marginalized by society, they befriended them, loved them, and made available the love and mercy of God.

Jesus and Francis attacked with word of God those who tried to disturb the peace and order of the society. There were those who were interested in themselves than in charity, compassion and love. St. Francis was ridiculed, mocked, and dismissed as a madman by people who feared him because he not only preached the Gospel, but dared to live it. They were not accepted and followed by most of the people who wanted their ways and wills to be done in the society and not God’s will and ways. They were disowned by those who saw them as their enemies. They accepted God and his commandments as long as they suited them. We have accepted both of them, is it only their names or also their fire and spirit? Is their fire and spirit dying in our hearts? Do we still hear their voice in our hearts to find answers for our society?

We need to look around because there are wars, riots, lawlessness and immorality. We can be the faces of Jesus and Francis to those who are suffering in our society. We have to condemn all that is not allowing the reign and kingdom of God to grow and develop.

We ought to follow the law but the spirit should also play a great role in bringing about change and peace. We need to more generous and compassionate to suffering people around us in order to translate the charism of Francis. There is injustice all around us, what are we doing to uproot and destroy it? Are we silent spectators in spite of the fire and spirit of Jesus burning in our hearts?

We have our constitutions, Church and Orders documents giving us clear indications to serve those who are underprivileged. What are we doing about it? Let us use all that we possess and have from God for the development and removal of evil from society. To do, we need to live the Gospel as Francis and his followers did.

We stand a good chance to eliminate all the evils with spirit of Jesus and Francis. It all depends on us how best we put into practice and live it out in our day today lives. Let us all lead the Gospel way of life to find answers to our troubled world. The spirit of Christ and Francis needs to be kept burning to have the love which will transform all that is negative around us.