FORMATION FRIDAY – Focus on the Admonitions (XIII and XXVII) – November 5, 2021

Dear Brothers and Sisters,  

A medieval Admonition was more than a warning or a calling to mind, it had more of a religious sense in which a Biblical passage or image was presented, an in light of it, a practical application was made.   The 28 teaching of St. Francis offers insights into his biblical thought and the ways in which he translated them into ordinary experiences.  Today’s formation lesson is so important.  An example is that we are attracted to the idea of Peace, but when tested, it is not that easy to always be peaceful or peacemakers.  So let us focus upon Francis’ Admonitions below to review where we stand…and to resolve to do better in the future. 🙏    Peace, Dona

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Focus on the Admonitions  (XIII and XXVII) 

https://www.franciscantradition.org/francis-of-assisi-early-documents/the-saint/writings-of-francis/the-undated-writings/the-admonitions/144-fa-ed-1-page-128

 

[XIII: Patience]

¹Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. ^{Mt 5:9}

A servant of God cannot know how much patience and humility he has within himself as long as he is content. ²When the time comes, however, when those who should make him content do the opposite, he has as much patience and humility as he has at that time and no more.

 

[XXVII: Virtue Puts Vice to Flight]

¹Where there is charity and wisdom,
there is neither fear nor ignorance.

²Where there is patience and humility,
there is neither anger nor disturbance.

³Where there is poverty with joy,
there is neither greed nor avarice.^a

⁴Where there is rest^b and meditation,
there is neither anxiety nor restlessness.

⁵Where there is fear of the Lord to guard an entrance, ^{Lk 11:21}
there the enemy cannot have a place to enter.

⁶Where there is a heart full of mercy^c and discernment,
there is neither excess nor hardness of heart.

 

To discuss or answer in your journal:

• How does Admonition XIII inspire me in my dealings with others? (Family; friends; on social media; in political discussions)
• How does Admonition XXVII address our lives in fraternity (verses 1-3) and our spiritual lives (verses 4-6)? How do these verses overlap? Give examples.
• Which Franciscan qualities do we need to fulfill both of these Admonitions?                                   

 

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Enfoque en las admoniciones de San Francisco  (XIII y XXVII)
(Por favor, compartir con la fraternidad local)

http://www.franciscanos.org/esfa/adm-ae.html

[Cap. XIII: De la paciencia]

¹Bienaventurados los pacíficos, porque serán llamados hijos de Dios (Mt 5,9). El siervo de Dios no puede conocer cuánta paciencia y humildad tiene en sí, mientras todo le suceda a su satisfacción. ²Pero cuando venga el tiempo en que aquellos que deberían causarle satisfacción, le hagan lo contrario, cuanta paciencia y humildad tenga entonces, tanta tiene y no más.

[Cap. XXVII: De la virtud que ahuyenta al vicio]

¹Donde hay caridad y sabiduría,
allí no hay temor ni ignorancia.

 

²Donde hay paciencia y humildad,
allí no hay ira ni perturbación.

 

³Donde hay pobreza con alegría,

allí no hay codicia ni avaricia.

 

⁴Donde hay quietud y meditación,

allí no hay preocupación ni vagancia.

 

⁵Donde está el temor de Dios para custodiar su atrio (cf. Lc 11,21),

allí el enemigo no puede tener un lugar para entrar.

 

⁶Donde hay misericordia y discreción,

allí no hay superfluidad ni endurecimiento.

 

Para platicar o contestar en su diario:

• ¿Cómo me inspira la Admonición XIII en mi trato con los demás? (Familia; amigos; en las redes sociales; en discusiones políticas)

• ¿Cómo aborda la Admonición XXVII nuestras vidas en fraternidad (versículos 1-3) y nuestras vidas espirituales (versículos 4-6)? ¿Cómo se superponen estos versículos? Dar ejemplos.

• ¿Qué cualidades franciscanas necesitamos para cumplir con estas dos admoniciones?

 

 

 

Diane F. Menditto, OFS

Chair, National Formation Commission

Formation Director, Our Lady of the Angels Region
Formation Director, St. Francis Fraternity, Hackensack, NJ