Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today’s lesson cover St. Francis’ Admonitions 2 and 3, that deal with obedience, self will, and humility. Though they may sound like a simple topics, these Admonitions have started many discussions among the formators. It is suggested that your fraternity members journal and contemplate the questions before beginning your discussion.
A link to the Franciscan Tradition site which offers much on Francis and Franciscan theology. Peace, Dona
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[II. The Evil of Self-Will]
- 1The Lord said to Adam: Eat of every tree; you may not eat, however, of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Gn 2:16 Gn 2:17
- He was able to eat of every tree of paradise because he did not sin as long as he did not go against obedience.
- For that person eats of the tree of the knowledge of good who makes his will his own and, in this way, exalts himself over the good things the Lord says and does in him.
- And so, through the suggestion of the devil and the transgression of the command, it became the apple of the knowledge of evil.
- Therefore it is fitting that he suffer the punishment.
[III. Perfect Obedience]
- The Lord says in the Gospel: Whoever does not renounce all that he possesses cannot be my disciple; Lk 14:33
- and: Whoever wishes to save his life must lose it. Lk 9:24
- A person who offers himself totally to obedience in the hands of his prelate leaves all that he possesses and loses his body.
- And whatever he does and says which he knows is not contrary to his will is true obedience, provided that what he does is good.
- And should a subject see that some things might be better and more useful for his soul than what a prelate commands, let him willingly offer such things to God as a sacrifice; and, instead, let him earnestly strive to fulfill the prelate’s wishes.
- For this is loving obedience because it pleases God and neighbor. 1 Pt 1:22
- If the prelate, however, commands something contrary to his conscience, even though he may not obey him, let him not, however, abandon him.
- And if he then suffers persecution from others, let him love them all the more for the sake of God. 1 Jn 3:15 1 Jn 3:16
- For whoever chooses to suffer persecution rather than wish to be separated from his brothers truly remains in perfect obedience because he lays down his life for his brothers. Jn 15:13
- In fact, there are many religious who, under the pretext of seeing things better than those which the prelate commands, look back, Lk 9:62 and return to the vomit Prv 26: of their own will
- These people are murderers 2 Pt 2:22 and, because of their bad example, cause many to lose their souls
Questions to discuss or to comment on in your journal.
+ Come, Holy Spirit! Open my mind and heart as I contemplate Admonition II.
- -As Secular Franciscans, we do not promise “obedience” as such. However, how does sacrificing our own will help us to live out our Rule?
- –When do I have the most difficulty following the directives of my lawful superiors?
+ Come, Holy Spirit! Open my mind and heart as I contemplate Admonition III.
- –How is obedience related to simplicity and humility?
- –What are some ways that I can seek to have a well-informed conscience?
- –How does having trust in the Lord help me to let go of my own will?
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Enfoque en las admoniciones de San Francisco (Admoniciones II y III)
Cap. II: Del mal de la propia voluntad
1Dijo el Señor a Adán: Come de todo árbol, pero del árbol de la ciencia del bien y del mal no comas (cf. Gén 2,16.17). 2Podía comer de todo árbol del paraíso, porque, mientras no contravino a la obediencia, no pecó. 3Come, en efecto, del árbol de la ciencia del bien, aquel que se apropia su voluntad y se enaltece del bien que el Señor dice y obra en él; 4y así, por la sugestión del diablo y la transgresión del mandamiento, vino a ser la manzana de la ciencia del mal. 5De donde es necesario que sufra la pena.
Cap. III: De la perfecta obediencia
1Dice el Señor en el Evangelio: El que no renuncie a todo lo que posee, no puede ser discípulo mío (Lc 14,33); 2y: El que quiera salvar su vida, la perderá (Lc 9,24). 3Deja todo lo que posee y pierde su cuerpo el hombre que se ofrece a sí mismo todo entero a la obediencia en manos de su prelado. 4Y todo lo que hace y dice que él sepa que no es contra la voluntad del prelado, mientras sea bueno lo que hace, es verdadera obediencia. 5Y si alguna vez el súbdito ve cosas mejores y más útiles para su alma que aquellas que le ordena el prelado, sacrifique voluntariamente sus cosas a Dios, y aplíquese en cambio a cumplir con obras las cosas que son del prelado. 6Pues ésta es la obediencia caritativa (cf. 1 Pe 1,22), porque satisface a Dios y al prójimo.
7Pero si el prelado le ordena algo que sea contra su alma, aunque no le obedezca, sin embargo no lo abandone. 8Y si a causa de eso sufriera la persecución de algunos, ámelos más por Dios. 9Pues quien sufre la persecución antes que querer separarse de sus hermanos, verdaderamente permanece en la perfecta obediencia, porque da su vida (cf. Jn 15,13) por sus hermanos. 10Pues hay muchos religiosos que, so pretexto de que ven cosas mejores que las que les ordenan sus prelados, miran atrás (cf. Lc 9,62) y vuelven al vómito de la propia voluntad (cf. Prov 26,11; 2 Pe 2,22); 11éstos son homicidas y, a causa de sus malos ejemplos, hacen que se pierdan muchas almas.
Preguntas para platicar o responder en su diario
+ ¡Ven, Espíritu Santo! Abre mi mente y corazón mientras contemplo la Admonición II.
— Como franciscanos seglares, no prometemos “obediencia” como tal. Sin embargo, ¿cómo el sacrificio de nuestra propia voluntad nos ayudará a vivir nuestra Regla?
–¿Cuándo tengo más dificultades para seguir las directivas de mis superiores legales?
+ ¡Ven, Espíritu Santo! Abre mi mente y mi corazón mientras contemplo la Admonición III.
— ¿Cómo se relaciona la obediencia con la sencillez y la humildad?
–¿Cuáles son algunas de las formas en las que puedo buscar para tener una conciencia bien informada?
— ¿Cómo me ayuda el tener confianza en el Señor a dejar ir mi propia voluntad?
Diane F. Menditto, OFS
Chair, National Formation Commission
Minister, Our Lady of the Angels Region
