Live Like Francis: Reflections on Franciscan Life in the World

by Leonard Foley, Jovian Weigel

Overview

"Secular Franciscans should devote themselves especially to careful reading of the gospel, going from gospel to life and life to gospel. -From The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order

The goal of Franciscans has always been to put the Gospel into action. Whether you are a professed Franciscan of many years or someone just beginning to seek a spiritual understanding of Francis and Clare of Assisi, Live Like Francis will give you the tools you need to live the Gospel--a directive that remains as simple and, at times, confounding, today as it was eight hundred years ago during Francis's life. Through a process of prayer, reflection, study texts, questions and connections to Scripture, you will gain a deeper understanding of the Franciscan way and, through it, the Gospel.

Live Like Francis is, first and foremost, a prayer book. No deep understanding of Jesus, Francis and Clare can be reached without God's direction through prayer. Divided into fifty-two sections, this book encourages you to contemplate one aspect of the Franciscan way each week. You are invited to study the text and suggested additional readings; read selections from the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order, which you'll find in various chapters; meditate on questions for reflection; and consider the application to daily life. Heartfelt prayers by Patti Normile from the previous edition (entitled To Live as Francis Lived) round out each section and offer a way to integrate the material into your daily prayer life.

You can live joyfully and humbly in the secular modern world. Week by week, Live Like Francis will help you answer the Gospel's call to simplicity, peace, gratitude and service, and live a life in balance with all of God's creatures.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781616369712
Publisher:	Franciscan Media
Publication date:	03/16/2016
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	947,560
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Jovian Weigel, O.F.M., was active with the secular Franciscans at local, regional and national levels for more than thirty years.

Leonard Foley, O.F.M., was a popular retreat master and speaker on Catholic identity and Franciscan topics. He wrote the perennial bestseller Believing in Jesus: A Popular Overview of the Catholic Faith.

Table of Contents

Introduction vii

Suggestions on how to use This Book ix

Part 1 Foundation 1

Reflection 1 Beginning Again 2

Reflection 2 Franciscan Life in the World 6

Reflection 3 To Live the Gospel Life 11

Reflection 4 Franciscan Spirituality: God Is Love 15

Reflection 5 Christ Is Our Brother in God's Love 19

Reflection 6 Christ, the Masterpiece, Planned from Eternity 25

Reflection 7 The Grace of Christ 29

Reflection 8 Jesus Is Visible Today 33

Reflection 9 The Real Christ 38

Reflection 10 The Gift of the Spirit 43

Reflection 11 Mary, Our Mother and Model 48

Part 2 Conversion 53

Reflection 12 Turning to God and Away from Sin 54

Reflection 13 The Consequences of Penance 59

Reflection 14 Reconciliation 63

Reflection 15 The Poverty of Christ 67

Reflection 16 Poverty for the Kingdom 71

Reflection 17 Some External Applications of Poverty 76

Reflection 18 Humility: The Twin of Poverty 80

Reflection 19 Humility toward Others 84

Reflection 20 Chastity: Respect for Self and Others 88

Reflection 21 Setting a Good Example 92

Reflection 22 Obedience 96

Part 3 Prayer 101

Reflection 23 The Spirit and Practice of Prayer 102

Reflection 24 Praying with God's Word 107

Reflection 25 A Method of Praying 111

Reflection 26 Christ Joins Us to His Prayer: The Liturgy 115

Reflection 27 Eucharist: Contemplating the Mystery 119

Reflection 28 The Liturgy of the Hours 124

Reflection 29 Praying as a Group 129

Reflection 30 Clare: Bright Light 133

Part 4 Going Out Into The World 139

Reflection 31 Family Life: Holiness in Its Place 140

Reflection 32 Charity: Loving All People 145

Reflection 33 The Forgiveness of Christ 150

Reflection 34 Being Christ to Others 154

Reflection 35 Seeing Christ in Others 159

Reflection 36 Justice: The First Requirement of Charity 163

Reflection 37 Justice: Bringing the Gospel to the World 168

Reflection 38 Justice: Our Pressing Social Problems 172

Reflection 39 The Practice of Justice 178

Reflection 40 Blessed Are the Peacemakers 182

Reflection 41 Caring for Creation 188

Reflection 42 Work: A Joint Venture in Creation 192

Reflection 43 Charity for the Sick 198

Reflection 44 "Repair My Church" 202

Reflection 45 That All May Be One 207

Reflection 46 Witness to the Gospel 211

Reflection 47 Perfect Joy 215

Part 5 The Franciscan Family 219

Reflection 48 Community Life 220

Reflection 49 A Rule for Keeping Order 225

Reflection 50 Following Francis in the Time of Pope Francis 229

Reflection 51 An Invitation 235

Reflection 52 Let Us Begin Again, and Again, and Again 239

Resources 243