Some thoughts on Anglican Franciscanism - part three
The second of the first full two days exploring our roots as Anglican Franciscans we again had Paula Pearce OFS and Charlie McCarron TSSF. They continued laying the groundwork for the rest of the IPTOC/JFOC and for my ongoing reflection.
One of the things that is different for OFS and for us in the Society of Saint Francis is that they follow the rule of St Francis, and we follow something that was in part inspired by Francis. Paula spent the second day talking about the process by which the Third Order Regular Rule (the TOR Rule) was revised. This Rule is the basis of the Rules of the Franciscan orders that live in community and are not OFM or Poor Clares. The TOR Rule uses mostly words from St Francis’ writings. She describes it as a spiritual document, not a set of rules and regulations - seen in her title for the presentation "TOR RULE - The Spirit of Prayer". It is available online at https://franciscanstor.org/our-community/third-order-regular-rule.
- Penance – Biblical metanoia
- Poverty
- Minority (humility)
- Contemplative Prayer
She went on to say that for Francis biblical metanoia has 3 elements: Acknowledge God (in creation, in God’s goodness and in the ministry of Jesus); Adore God with whole life, prayerfully, in purity of heart, poverty and obedience; Serve God as Jesus taught. This fits with my own understanding - luckily. A number of authors have said that we are inclined to reduce metanoia to repentance built on guilt. Rather this is having our minds blown (literally what metanoia means) by God's grace and goodness and responding to that goodness and grace in how we live our lives "Loving God with all our heart and soul and mind by loving our neighbour as ourselves" - just as Jesus taught. That is my calling.
At the heart of all this is community. Too often we think that this life as Christians or as Franciscans is an individual thing. I know from my time as both Minister Provincial and Minister General there was push back against this communal focus. But Paula was clear the call was to live in community. She described several elements to this: including living in obedience, formation, and in our discernment or seeking radical and complete self-giving to God in this way of life. This is a call to being a counter cultural community: in our dress and in our simple way of life, and in our commitment is this fraternal or communal life, without attachment, in living poverty. She said that "This life leads to chaste union with Jesus Christ, through the Spirit. The community’s work manifests God’s love for neighbour.
Some quotes to finish from the TOR
The Spirit of Prayer:
“The purpose of all Franciscan prayer is to give God ceaseless praise and thanksgiving for all God has done and does in creation and in our re-creation in Christ” Franciscan contemplative prayer is Trinitarian and is Incarnational. It embraces all creation. Page 45
“The created world is the expression of God’s goodness and the theatre of God’s redemptive
love for us. Because we are made in God’s image, it is possible to seek union with God as we do God’ s will. Thus, the Franciscan does not flee the world in order to ‘escape’ God, but seeks
immersion in its sacramental reality.” Page 47
Everywhere and in each place, and in every season and each day, the brothers and sisters are to have a true and humble faith. From the depths of their inner life let them love, honor, adore, serve, praise, bless and glorify our most high and eternal God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
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