From Gospel to Life and Life to Gospel: The Dynamic Heart of Secular Franciscan Spirituality
The Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) offers a distinctive path for lay men and women to live the Gospel in the world. At its core lies a profound spiritual dynamic: moving from Gospel to life and life back to Gospel. This presentation explores this transformative journey that forms the heart of Secular Franciscan spirituality.
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by Mike Carsten OFS
The Secular Franciscan Vocation
An Organic Union
The Secular Franciscan Order is an "organic union of all Catholic fraternities scattered throughout the world" where members "strive for perfect charity in their own secular state."
Gospel-Centered Life
The rule and life of Secular Franciscans is "to observe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example of St. Francis of Assisi who made Christ the inspiration and center of his life."
Continuous Conversion
This way of life embodies the spirit of "penance" - not self-punishment, but continuous, heartfelt turning towards God, a "radical interior change" the Gospel terms "conversion."
The Heart of Article 4
The Rule and Life
"The rule and life of the Secular Franciscans is this: to observe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example of St. Francis of Assisi who made Christ the inspiration and the center of his life with God and people."
The Core Dynamic
"Secular Franciscans should devote themselves especially to careful reading of the gospel, going from gospel to life and life to gospel."
A Lifelong Journey
This directive represents not a static regulation but a dynamic, lifelong journey of transformation and ongoing formation in the footsteps of St. Francis.
From Gospel to Life: The First Movement
Careful Reading
Devoted, prayerful, and sustained immersion in the Gospel text to "seek to encounter the living and active person of Christ."
Interior Formation
Allowing Christ's teachings to permeate and shape one's thoughts, attitudes, values, and inner spirit.
Exterior Action
Actively applying Gospel values within families, workplaces, social interactions, and civic responsibilities.
St. Francis: The Exemplar
St. Francis stands as the luminous exemplar of taking the Gospel with radical seriousness and joyful fidelity. His life demonstrates how to make Christ the true center of one's existence.
Transformative Encounter
Francis's encounter with the leper flowed directly from his immersion in the Gospel and desire to conform his life to Christ's example of compassion.
Universal Kinship
His preaching to animals and care for creation reflected the Gospel's message of God's love for all creatures and Francis's desire to live this truth.
Radical Poverty
His wholehearted embrace of poverty was a direct response to Christ's call to detachment from worldly possessions in favor of spiritual treasure.
From Life Back to Gospel: The Second Movement
Daily Experiences
Taking life's joys, sorrows, successes, and failures as material for reflection.
Prayerful Reflection
Bringing these experiences to the light of the Gospel for deeper understanding and discernment.
Spiritual Insight
Discovering God's presence and invitation in these moments, leading to growth and transformation.
The Call to Daily Conversion
Article 7 of the Rule
"United by their vocation as 'brothers and sisters of penance' and motivated by the dynamic power of the Gospel, let them conform their thoughts and deeds to those of Christ by means of that radical interior change which the Gospel calls 'conversion.'"
Human Reality
"Human frailty makes it necessary that this conversion be carried out daily." This acknowledgment brings profound realism and compassion to the Franciscan journey.
Sacramental Support
The Sacrament of Reconciliation holds a privileged place in this ongoing journey, serving as a "privileged sign of the Father's mercy and the source of grace."
The Role of Fraternity
Shared Reflection
In fraternal gatherings, members "share insights and reflections for implementing the Gospel in everyday life."
Mutual Support
Members "learn to share insights and failures, dreams and frustrations, excitements and disappointments, vision and action."
Collective Discernment
The fraternity functions as a hermeneutic community where shared experiences are collectively brought before the wisdom of the Gospel.
Loving Accountability
This shared journey provides a network of accountability and spiritual companionship, making daily conversion less isolating.
The Dynamic Cycle: An Indissoluble Link
Gospel Reading
Careful, prayerful engagement with Scripture to encounter Christ.
Illumination
The Gospel illuminates the path for living in today's world.
Application
Conscious effort to live Gospel values in daily circumstances.
Reflection
Bringing lived experiences back to the Gospel for deeper understanding.
A Practical Example: Loving Enemies
From Gospel to Life
A Secular Franciscan reads Jesus' challenging call in the Sermon on the Mount to love one's enemies and pray for persecutors (Matthew 5:44). Consciously recalling this teaching, they make a deliberate effort to show kindness to a difficult colleague or family member.
This conscious application transforms an abstract teaching into concrete action, bringing the Gospel into the reality of daily relationships.
From Life Back to Gospel
The attempt may meet with continued hostility or perhaps a small breakthrough. The Franciscan brings this concrete experience—struggle, failure, or small victory—back to the Gospel.
They might re-read Jesus' words, meditate on His example of forgiving from the Cross, or recognize their need for God's grace to love radically. This reflection, born from lived reality, strengthens their resolve for the next attempt.
Comparing the Two Movements
The Importance for Authentic Vocation
Authenticity Test
"From the Gospel, it means from Jesus, to life, and from life to the Gospel. Here the authenticity of our vocation and our commitment come into play." - Michele Altmeyer
Beyond Superficiality
Without this dynamic interplay, the vocation risks becoming superficial, a mere label rather than a lived truth.
Integrity of Identity
This principle gives substance, integrity, and authenticity to the Franciscan identity in the world.
The Path to Christ-Likeness
Intimate Union with Christ
"No longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Gal 2:20)
Transformation of Heart
Ongoing conversion shapes inner attitudes and desires
Conformity of Actions
Daily choices reflect Gospel values
Foundation in Scripture
Careful reading and meditation on the Gospel
Living the Rule as "Spirit and Life"
Beyond Intellectual Adherence
"We cannot limit ourselves at just an intellectual adherence to the contents of the Rule, we must move on to its concrete implementation." - Michele Altmeyer
Experiential Knowledge
The "life-giving force of the Rule" is experienced through practice, "not only of understanding it."
Transformative Power
The Gospel-to-life dynamic transforms the Rule from a revered document into a lived, vibrant reality.
Witness and Evangelization
Inner Transformation
The consistent practice of Gospel-to-life creates interior change and growth in virtue.
Visible Witness
This transformation overflows into visible Franciscan virtues: peace, joy, simplicity, and compassion.
Evangelization
Transformed lives become "a living gospel for all to read" in families, workplaces, and broader environments.
Church Renewal
This witness contributes to the ongoing mission of "rebuilding the Church" that St. Francis was called to.
Spiritual Vitality and Deeper Meaning
Sustained Vitality
This practice "takes care of our vitality in order that it does not die out," preventing spiritual stagnation.
Meaningful Living
It helps individuals give deeper meaning to daily actions and internalize experiences rather than living superficially.
Authentic Joy
This way of life leads to a "new kind of happiness," one that comes from sharing in the Lord's own life and mission.
Divine Intimacy
Numerous Secular Franciscans testify to how this path has nurtured a closer, more personal relationship with God.
Broader Impact on Church and Society
Church Renewal
Secular Franciscans are "called like Saint Francis to rebuild the Church" through witness of transformed lives.
Peace and Justice
Commitment to peace and justice flows from the "Gospel to life" dynamic into social action.
Family Life
Sanctity of family life is strengthened through Gospel values lived in daily relationships.
Care for Creation
Franciscan respect for all creatures infuses society with ecological awareness and responsibility.
Prayer and Sacramental Life
Soul of All They Are and Do
"As Jesus was the true worshipper of the Father, so let prayer and contemplation be the soul of all they are and do." (Rule, Article 8)
Eucharistic Centrality
St. Francis's profound Eucharistic faith inspires active participation in the sacramental life, "above all the Eucharist."
Marian Devotion
Secular Franciscans express "ardent love" for Mary, "humble servant of the Lord," by imitating her complete self-giving and through earnest prayer.
Franciscan Virtues in Daily Life
Secular Franciscans cultivate distinctive virtues in everyday circumstances: simplicity and detachment from material possessions, humility following St. Francis's "poor and humble life," poverty of spirit by purifying hearts from "every tendency for possession and power," peace and reconciliation as "bearers of peace," and respect for all creation embracing "universal kinship."
The Indispensable Role of Fraternity
Communal Formation
Local fraternities typically meet monthly for "prayer, ongoing formation in the Franciscan charism, and mutual support in living more deeply the good news of Jesus Christ."
Shared Wisdom
The fraternity provides vital space for members to share insights from Gospel reading, struggles in application, and experiences of bringing life back to the Gospel for discernment.
Family Bond
"We have become a family... we love each other, and we help each other, not only in faith but in our life situations." - Daniel Spofford, OFS
Service and Witness in Action
Personal Apostolates
Individual Secular Franciscans bring Gospel values into their workplaces, families, and communities through daily witness and service.
Fraternity Initiatives
Some fraternities undertake corporate ministries addressing specific needs in their local communities.
Collaborative Service
Many Secular Franciscans assist other religious or civic groups in addressing urgent human needs that are often overlooked.
Examples of Franciscan Service
Campus Ministry
Supporting spiritual formation and service opportunities for college students, bringing Franciscan values to academic settings.
Refugee Assistance
Helping refugee families adjust to new communities through practical support, friendship, and advocacy.
Clothing Drives
Organizing collection and distribution of clothing for those in need, especially focusing on overlooked populations.
Food Security
Conducting food drives for local pantries to address hunger and food insecurity in communities.
Ongoing Formation: A Lifelong Commitment
Initial Inquiry
First exposure to Franciscan spirituality and the "Gospel to life" dynamic.
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Candidacy
At least a year of initial formation in Franciscan values and practices.
Profession
Formal commitment to live by the OFS Rule, marking a beginning rather than an end.
Lifelong Growth
"Life-long commitment of ongoing formation to become Christ-like through the values of St. Francis."
Formation Through the Gospel Dynamic
Fundamental Method
The phrase "Gospel to life; life to the Gospel" is explicitly identified as "our Process of Formation; This is our Way of life." This underscores that this dynamic is not an advanced practice but the fundamental pedagogical method for Secular Franciscan formation.
It is the path walked from the earliest days of inquiry and candidacy, continuing to shape members throughout their lives in the Order.
This formation process involves regular study of Scripture, reflection on the Rule, engagement with Franciscan sources, and practical application in daily life - all within the supportive context of fraternity.
Challenges in Living the Gospel Dynamic
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Time Constraints
Finding adequate time for Scripture reading and reflection amid busy secular lives.
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Cultural Opposition
Navigating societal values that often contradict Gospel principles.
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Personal Weakness
Confronting "human frailty" that necessitates daily conversion.
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Spiritual Dryness
Persevering through periods when prayer and Scripture feel lifeless.
Overcoming Obstacles
Secular Franciscans employ various strategies to overcome obstacles in living the Gospel-to-life dynamic. The sacramental life, especially regular participation in the Eucharist and Reconciliation, provides the strongest foundation. Regular prayer, fraternity support, spiritual direction, and engagement with Franciscan resources also offer significant help in maintaining this spiritual practice.
Fruits of the Gospel-to-Life Journey
Deeper Relationship with God
A progressively more personal and intimate connection with Christ through daily Gospel engagement.
Growth in Perfect Charity
Increasing capacity to love selflessly as Christ loves, in all relationships and circumstances.
Authentic Joy and Peace
The experience of profound joy and peace, even amidst life's challenges - a hallmark of Franciscan spirituality.
Radiant Witness
Becoming "a living gospel for all to read," radiating Christ's light, love, and hope in the world.
Testimonies from Secular Franciscans
Kathryn Swegart, OFS
"Gospel to life, life to Gospel makes you take a deeper dive into being a witness in the world, even in small ways... the simplicity, the beauty of God's creation... the masterpiece of God."
Daniel Spofford, OFS
"We seek to bring the light of Christ to others every day... try to sow peace in the world. We have become a family... we love each other, and we help each other, not only in faith but in our life situations."
Kay Spofford, OFS
Emphasizes "the life of simplicity" as central to the Franciscan charism, a direct fruit of taking the Gospel seriously in daily choices and priorities.
A Response to Crucified Love
The Heart of Motivation
The journey of "going from Gospel to life and life back to the Gospel" is ultimately "a response to the crucified love of Jesus." This love is not merely an example to admire but a transformative power that enables and sustains the Secular Franciscan vocation.
While the path of conforming one's life to Christ is undoubtedly demanding, it flows from gratitude for Christ's self-giving love rather than from mere obligation or rule-following.
This crucified love becomes both the source and destination of the Secular Franciscan journey. It provides the grace needed for daily conversion and the ultimate purpose of that conversion: to return love for Love.
Embracing the Journey of Transformation
The call to "go from Gospel to Life and Life back to the Gospel" is a profound summons to a dynamic, transformative, and lifelong discipleship in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi.
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Spiritual Freedom and Joy
The hallmark of authentic Franciscan spirituality
Living Gospel for All to Read
Radiating Christ's light in the world
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Intimate Union with Christ
The center and source of Franciscan life
Daily Conversion
Persistent turning toward God in all things