FRANCISCAN JOY

by Father Larry Dunphy

Joy, it seems to me is the characteristic of St. Francis for which he is best known and which has made him so attractive to all the world. This joy was evident in the beginning of St. Francis’ conversion process. It was the thing about Francis that Bernard and the other first followers from Assisi noted. They wanted to follow him because they wanted to learn his secret for joy. For the most part, Bernard and the other early followers were learned and wealthy men, but they saw in Francis something that their learning and wealth could not give them. It was his joy.

     It was not so much some of the simple ways that he expressed joy which we might find quaint or a bit humorous, like his taking two sticks and playing them as if they were a violin, or his singing aloud, "I am the troubadour (Troubadours were wandering French minstrels.) of the Great King," when the robbers beat him and tossed him into the ditch, rather it was something about him much deeper than these things. He radiated joy; he seemed to have a kind of happiness which no one or no adverse event could take away from him. It was not smiles or happy behavior, but a deep joy that one who met him could not miss.

     It was like he had found the joy of heaven while he was here on earth. His joy came from his relationship with God. He knew that he was loved by God. Knowing and experiencing love is, of course, the most fundamental source of joy. What greater lover can one have than God. He could find this joy particularly in contemplating the crucifix. The crucifix was the visible proof of the excessive love of God who became flesh and willingly suffered and died for us humans. Being able to share in the sufferings of Christ was for him the greatest source of joy.

     One day he was trying to teach Bro. Leo what would be true joy. He tells Leo that if all the professors of the great University of Paris were to join the Order, or if all the bishops and archbishops of Europe and the Kings of England and France were to join the Order, or if the brothers were to convert all the nonbelieiver of the world, or if he, Francis, were to heal the sick and perform miracles, that these would not be true joy. Rather, he said that if he was to arrive at the friary in the dead of a winter’s night, and if he was muddy and so cold that icicles had formed on the edge of his habit so that they struck his leg and caused it to bleed, and if when he came to the gate of the friary and after knocking for a long time, finally a brother comes and asks: "Who are you?" and he was to answer: "Brother Francis," and the brother replies, "Go away. This is not a decent hour to be wandering about. Go away! You are simple and stupid!" And if Francis was to say again, "For the love of God take me in tonight!" And the brother replies again: "I will not. Go to the Crosiers!" Francis said that if he had patience and did not become upset, that this would be true joy.

     Obviously, for Francis joy is not a party or a celebration kind of joy. For him joy could be there in the midst of pain and rejection Joy was to be found in being like Christ in the midst of suffering. Francis found joy when he truly had to experience poverty. Poverty both let God enter more fully into his life and made him to be more like the poor Christ.

     There were a number of experiences in which Francis particularly was joyful to the extent that it was noted by the brothers in the lives written about him after his death. For him and for the other brothers there was much joy when the brothers from various places gathered together. Their love for each other was expressed in song, embraces, sharing their experiences, and rejoicing in what God was doing in their lives. Celebration of the Eucharist brought him great joy; it was for him the closest way of seeing on this earth God become flesh. The Feast of Christmas, the recalling and celebration of God taking up our human flesh, was a time of great joy. He said that on Christmas even the walls should be rubbed with meat to celebrate the joy of the Incarnation. His celebration of the Nativity at Greccio when he when he set up a live Nativity scene filled him with great joy. Creation was a sort of sacrament of joy for him. In Creation he saw signs and proof of God’s love and beauty. This joy is very strongly reflected in his Canticle of the Creatures.

     He felt the life of the Order with its practice of poverty and fraternal love should fill the friars with joy. He said that a sad Friar Minor was a contradiction. If he saw a sad brother he told him he should go to Confession because he thought that sin was the only reason for sadness.

     Franciscans, like Francis, seek joy in keeping their hearts uncluttered. Attachment to things is a threat to joy, because sadness follows their loss. Fraternal ( I am sorry I cannot find a good gender inclusive word for fraternity.) gatherings should be a time to recharge one’s joy. Each should bring a cheerful heart to the fraternity meetings and be tuned into the fraternal love that is there. One’s own personal prayer time focusing on the great love of God for us is the fountain from which joy can enter into one’s life. One must find joy first in one’s relationship to God. Only from that relationship can one find joy to share with others. Like Francis, contemplating the beauty of God’s Creation helps to feed that joy.

     Seculars can try not, by false smiles and pretense, but by being who you truly are to be instruments of joy to families and communities.

 

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JOY and Evangelization

-- Juan Esquerda Bifet ,Evangelization Biblioteca de Autores Cristianos , Madrid 1998

- transcribed by Father Colman Nolan,ST

Joy and happiness begin to be sensed when one achieves a good that can satisfy the most profound aspirations of the heart. It is not enough for a person to achieve the objective of some desires, but rather it is necessary that he catch a glimpse of the fulfillment of himself in all his integrity. The simple denial of desires cannot be the source of joy and happiness. There are simple joys and partial joys, every day, which sustain the way toward full happiness. This is the deep desire of every human being. Peace and joy of heart are born when we use created gifts correctly. Life is beautiful because it allows us to discern that God is good.

     In the revealed Word of the Old and the New Testament, there is continual mention of peace, joy, and happiness. The heart stands invited to open itself to the plans of God about history in order to be happy. Jesus invites us to this joy, even in the midst of difficulties, announcing the "happy news" that "the Kingdom of God is near" (Mark 1:15).

     Easter joy communicated by Jesus. In the life of Jesus there is an Easter (or Passover) tension, under the action of the Spirit, who fills him with joy: "At that moment, Jesus was filled with joy in the Holy Spirit and said: ‘I praise you, Father’" (Luke 10:21). It is the joy of a spousal love, which takes on adverse events as a "cup" (wedding cup) "prepared by the Father (John 18:11; cf. Luke 22:20).

     Christianity does not exist without joy, just as it does not exist without the cross, which is the "passage" toward the resurrection. That Easter joy is possible only when human circumstances, even those which are sad, are transformed into self giving. It is the attitude of the "beatitudes." That joy is the gift and fruit of the Holy Spirit (cf. Romans 4:27; Galatians 5:32), which "no one can take from you" (John 16:22). Joy and peace, which are the gift of the Holy Spirit, begin to be "felt" in the heart and in the evangelizing group when there is a glimpse, through "obscure faith," that it is still possible to do what is best: to give oneself, as Christ did at Bethlehem and on the cross: "The sincere handing over of oneself to others" (Gaudium et Spes, 24).

     Thanks to the gospel message, we get a hint that the definitive beatitude of the next life begins to be anticipated in the present life, when the heart experiences peace and happiness from giving ourselves to God and to our brothers. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus describes the saddest situations of humanity, in order to proclaim "blessed" those who, in those circumstances, even in suffering, know how to react lovingly (Matthew 5:1-12, 44-46).

     If "beatitude is the only good of man," and "happiness" is the possession of the good that is known and loved (cf. St. Thomas I-II, q.31.a.3) that happiness already begins on this earth, when we experience the joy of receiving passing gifts from God like coins to exchange for imperishable goods. This bartering during all our days produces the joy of hope, because it confides in God and tends toward him. "This hope will not leave us disappointed" (Romans 5:5). It is the joy of the closeness of Christ who comes: "Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it again. Rejoice! Everyone should see how unselfish you are- The Lord is near" Philippians 4:4).

     To evangelize: is to announce salvific joy To evangelize (Luke 4:18; Mark 1:15) consists in announcing the joy that Christ brings true peace, "The great happiness" of the birth of the Savior (Luke 2:10), who died and arose in order to redeem humanity. Joy is an essential part of the gospel announcement. True joy is found only in God, who has made man to share his own infinite joy.

     "To evangelize," in this Easter context of hope, means to announce this "joyful news" that human life now makes sense, thanks to Christ the Redeemer. This is the announcement of the "beatitudes." Jesus calls "joyful" those who live by faith: "Blest are they who have not seen and have believed" (John 20:29). Faith is the anticipated possession of what we will have later, "the guarantee of what is hoped for, the anticipation of those things that are not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Mary, the Mother of Jesus, was the first to receive the announcement of this messianic joy already in action: "Rejoice, O highly favored daughter. The Lord is with you" (Luke 1:28; cf. Zephaniah 3:14ff).

     The gospel message about the beatitudes is announced principally through evangelizers whose life would be a copy (a carbon copy or a likeness) of the Paschal joy of Christ (Luke 10:21; 24:36). "The characteristic of every authentic missionary life is interior happiness, which comes from faith. In a world so anguished and oppressed with so many problems, which tend toward pessimism, the announcer of "the Good News" has to be a man who has found true hope in Christ" (RMi 91).

     Without the testimony and the announcement of this joy there would not be true evangelization (Pope Paul VI, in 1975). "Oh that the world today -- which searches at times with anguish, at times with hope -- would be able to receive the Good News, not through evangelizers who are sad and discouraged, impatient or anxious, but through ministers of the Gospel, whose life radiates the fervor of those who have received, above all in themselves, the happiness of Christ and agree to consecrating their lives to the task of announcing the kingdom of God and of implanting the Church in the world."

Minister’s Message

by Bill Ballinger, OFS

     This month’s theme is Joy. I am not sure what others think of Joy but I really do not think about it too much, for my everyday life does not lack happiness or pleasures. Reflecting on the Joy and the Perfect Joy that St. Francis taught, perhaps we should all be thinking about it and not just Joy, but rather Lasting Joy. St. Francis from the very early days of his conversion was reaching beyond Lasting Joy, placing himself on the path to obtain Perfect Joy. It began when he knelt before the San Damiano cross and prayed:

Most high, glorious God,
enlighten the darkness
of my heart and give me Lord,
a correct faith, a certain hope,
a perfect charity, sense and knowledge,
so that I may carry out
Your holy and true command.,

     If a person receives all these gifts, will they have Lasting Joy? The answer must be “yes”! But, how do we obtain Perfect Joy? Well the answer lies in what St. Francis did next. He gave up much, embraced poverty, prayed at all hours of the day (and night) and started to work hard rebuilding the chapel. He faced many trials and for a while, the humiliation of most of the village. As Christians (and Franciscans), our desires and prayers must be followed by actions that similarly serve others and the Lord. As we work hard toward holiness, should we then prepare for humiliation and misfortune? I think the second chapter in the Book of Sirach provides the earliest answer:

My son, when you come to serve the LORD, prepare yourself for trials.

Be sincere of heart and steadfast, undisturbed in time of adversity.

Cling to him, forsake him not; thus will your future be great.

Accept whatever befalls you, in crushing misfortune be patient;

For in fire gold is tested, and worthy men in the crucible of humiliation.

Trust God and he will help you; make straight your ways and hope in him.

    Through our trials, Sirach continues to instruct us to wait and trust, and to hope for good things, lasting joy and mercy. In our simple lives, we can still find Lasting Joy without necessarily being “tested in fire”. However, if you find yourself being tested in fire, then know you are on the right path to Perfect Joy. It was in his lesson to Br. Leo that only when we endure trials will we have the chance to find Perfect Joy. To quote St. Francis, “…if we endure all those evils and insults and blows with joy and patience, reflecting that we must accept and bear the sufferings of the Blessed Christ patiently for love of Him, oh, Brother Leo, write: that is perfect joy!”

     I pray that you all find Lasting Joy and if you want Perfect Joy, I pray that you find that too. I will see you at the next meeting.

     May your Joy increase daily,

                                                Bill

 

 

 

 

What is Joy?

By Beth Franz, OFS

     

 

What is joy? The Random House Dictionary defines joy as “(1) The emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something good or satisfying. (2) A source of keen pleasure or delight.” This is a reasonable definition. It tells us that joy is something that will make us happy. But how do we attain this joy? Where will we find it?

     As Christians, we are called to a greater understanding of joy. We know that the only way to find true happiness is to accept what God gives us, bad or good. Accepting what God gives us is excellent but let’s take that understanding a step farther. I believe that true joy lies in recognizing our complete and utter dependence on God.

     We must recognize that everything is from God, and everything from God is for our good. God is not trying to make us miserable with the trials He sends us. He is trying to strengthen us to be capable for inclusion in eternity with Him.

     When we can attribute our all of the good we do in life to God, and not take the credit for ourselves, we recognize our dependence on God. When we accept the trials that come our way as gifts from God and not another setback, we are on our way to finding true joy.

   St. Francis knew that his joy was found in dependence on God. He turned to God for everything, his food, his clothing, and his dwelling. If God did not provide it for him, he did without. St. Francis’s happiest moment was when he received the stigmata of Christ. It gave him a sense of peace. It was painful, to be sure, but he knew that it was what God wanted for him. It meant that he was doing the will of God.

     Are we as ordinary men and women asked to live as St. Francis did, accepting and reveling in the pains that come our way? Yes, and no. Most of us are not physically or mentally able to accept the pains and trials of St. Francis. God knows this. He will only give us what we are able to handle with His help. But we must accept, with the love in which God gives it, what we receive. When we can do that, we will have joy. Are you ready for joy?

 

Prayer Needs

Let us keep our Holy Father and church leaders in mind. For continued healing of Sally.

For those who attend Franciscan formation classes.

For an end to violence in all forms.

In thanksgiving for the Joy and Graces in our lives.

For our families and our Franciscan family

For safe travel.Calendar October

3 Transitus 7pm Spokane

4 Feast Day of St. Francis

8 SFO Council meeting ?

9 Information/Formation class 12noon

9 SFO gathering 1pm

20 Blessed Contardo Ferrini Third order

Bill Ballinger, minister 208-623-3435

Wayne Woodward, vice minister

Paul Franz, secretary

George Loftus, treasurer

Marci Woodward, formation guide

Sue Ballinger, councilor & commissions chair

Marci, newsletter 457-8807

 

Please contribute an article, joke, art, etc. Deadline each month is the 20^th. November’s theme is Alive with the Gospel. God bless you! Look for this bulletin on the following web site under Resources: www.maryqueenofangelssfo.org

 

Pilgrims’ Reflections

    All the people are waiting for the cry of joy, the song of gladness, a new song, a song full of sweetness, a song of praise, a song of everlasting blessing. -cannonization of St.Francis

    Let us all rejoice in the Lord as we celebrate this feast day in honor of the blessed Francis; it is a solemnity which causes the Angels to rejoice, and to praise together the Son of God. Exult in the Lord, you righteous; praising befits those who are upright.

- Second Mass from years 1230-1234

    

In fact, the best way to feel love and abundance in your own life is to give it away. If you have ever helped to build a house for a deserving family or read to someone who couldn’t read, you know the joy that you receive....the joy of expressing your higher self. Helping an elderly neighbor with her groceries, leaving a surprise on someone’s pillow, nurturing a sick animal back to health, or reading patiently to a young child...these are the simple ways to make a difference every day.

I take the time to look inside;

I hear the wisdom in my heart.

I dream new dreams....release the old;

I live a life that tickles my soul.

A GREAT LIFE IS BORN IN THE SOUL, GROWN IN THE MIND, AND LIVED FROM THE HEART.

-S.W. Zoglio,Ph.D

Even God Enjoys a Good Laugh:

There were 3 good arguments that Jesus was Black: 1.He called everyone “brother.” 2.He liked Gospel. 3.He couldn’t get a fair trial.

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Jewish: 1.He went into His Father’s business. 2. He lived at home until he was 33. 3.He was sure his Mother was a virgin and his Mother was sure he was God.

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Italian: 1.He talked with his hands. 2.He had wine with every meal. 3.He sued olive oil.

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was a Californian: 1.He never cut his hair. 2.He walked around barefoot all the time. 3.He started a new religion.

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Irish: 1.He never got married. 2.He was always telling stories. 3. He loved green pastures.

But the most compelling evidence of all 3 proofs that Jesus was a woman: 1. He fed a crowd at a moment’s notice when there was no food. 2. He kept trying to get a message across to a bunch of men who just didn’t get it. 3. And even when He was dead, He had to get up because there was work to do.

 

Rule, Constitution, Reflection: JOY

Rule 13: ...A sense of community will make them joyful and ready to place themselves on an equal basis with all people, especially with the lowly for whom they will strive to create conditions of life worthy of people redeemed by Christ. Rule 17 . . . joyfully accompany their children on their human and spiritual journey. Rule 19: Messengers of perfect joy in every circumstance, they should strive to bring joy and hope to others.

Constitution, Article 26: Even in suffering, Francis experienced confidence and joy from the experience of the fatherhood of God; the invincible faith of rising with Christ to eternal life; the experience of being able to meet and praise the Creator in the universal fraternity of all creatures. Following the Gospel, secular Franciscans therefore affirm their hope and their joy in living...In fraternity, promote mutual understanding and see to it that the atmosphere of their meetings is welcoming and that it reflects joy. They should encourage one another for the good.

Reflection: from Sun and Moon Over Assisi by Gerard Straub I can see more clearly now that before my conversion in 1995, I was indeed starving. Yet I didn’t know how to satisfy the hunger that gnawed away at me. Of course the hunger was for God, who has truly filled me with good things. But God doesn’t force-feed us...we must open wide and accept his nourishment. Among the good things the Lord does give us is joy. Before my conversion, I easily became depressed. Joy was unknown. I know that during the past three years, my tendency toward depression has almost completely disappeared. Still, the joy I now know is rather fragile because I have failed to enter fully into the mystery of the cross the way Francis did, and therefore draw nearer to God. I still have a lot of self-interest which must be nailed to the cross before I can hope to experience the perfect joy which Francis knew. The crucifixion of self is essential to full knowledge and service of God. I want the fullness of joy without walking up the hill of Calvary. But I must. Grace is calling me. God must become everything to me, and myself, nothing, before I exclaim, with Blaise Pascal, the great scholar and tormented soul who suddenly experienced the presence of God, “Joy! Joy! Tears of Joy!”

 

 

News from around the area and world...

Catholic Radio If you live within an 80 mile radius of Spokane you should be able to pick up 24 hour Catholic Radio at 970AM on your radio dial - courtesy of the Poor Clares.

 

Transitus of St. Francis.: October 3^rd, 7pm at St. Francis of Assisi parish in Spokane. The address is 1104 W Heroy Ave. Two Franciscan orders of sisters will “put on” the Transitus; the parish will provide drinks; and the Seculars refreshments.

 

Peace Celebration held in Coeur d’Alene - September 21^st. -submitted by Wayne Woodward

     At the Day of Peace celebration last night in Coeur d’Alene, Fr. La Chance shared St. Augustine’s description of peace as “ordered tranquility”. He closed his talk by reciting St. Francis’ peace prayer, which had been sung earlier by the St. Pius Choral group.

     A representative of the Hebrew community shared two prayers for peace that were frequently used by Jewish worshipers, and a representative from the Moslem community shared that the very name Islam, means peace. A lady from the Tibetan Monastery in Newport, Washington shared the ten virtues Buddha taught for attaining inner peace, and how applying them caused her to calm a sometimes-warring heart.

    Mayor Bloem used the words from the song “Let there be peace on Earth” in her talk, stressing what each speaker seemed to say, that peace must begin from within: Having attained inner peace, peaceful intentions ripple outward into our world like those of a stone dropped into still water. Mark, Cochran, a founder of Peace Coeur d’Alene and event organizer said, “Peace is an active process. It is not a matter of passive inaction. Peace is something we all have to work together to achieve.

    The vigil began at 6:30pm and concluded at 8 with one minute of silence for world peace, with lighted candles all around. A petition was available to send to President Bush, asking that he issue a proclamation in support of International Day of Peace, and call for a day of global cease-fire and nonviolence. Governor Kempthorne has already issued a proclamation setting aside September 21^st as a day of Peace in Idaho. Although the gathering was small, the group called this the first annual Peace Day Coeur d’Alene, and hoped the tradition would continue.

 

 

 

Choose Between the Empire and Jesus

Excerpts form the keynote address delivered by Bishop Thomas Gumbleton of Detroit, Michigan, the weekend of Sept. 18 at an international peace conference in Trieste, Italy. He is founder Pax Christi USA.

     Five weeks ago I had the extraordinary experience of visiting the tiny village of St. Radegund in Austria, to participate in the 62nd anniversary of the execution of an Austrian peasant, Franz Jaegerstaetter. Franz was extraordinary because he was truly one who prophesied from the heart of an empire. He was able to perceive in the Nazi ideology its complete contradiction to everything he believed in as a disciple of Jesus Christ. His unconditional NO to Hitler and his ideology was an act of prophetic courage.

     In 1938 the Austrian nation voted to be joined with greater Germany. In his village he was the one person to vote no. He was known to be against the Nazis and for this he suffered ridicule and exclusion. However, he persisted. On March 1, 1943 he was called up. But at that point he declared his refusal to serve in Hitler's army.

     It was immediately clear to everyone that conscientious objection would cost Franz his life. His mother tried through relatives to change her son's mind. Franziska (his wife) spoke to him too, at the start. But as everyone tried to talk him round, as the arguments went on and he was quite alone against them all, she stood by him. "If I had not stood by him, he would have had no one," she explained.

     Franz discussed his plans with priest friends. They tried to save his life and talk him out of it. Yet they could not answer his biblical arguments. Franz Jaegerstaetter even asked Bishop Fleisser of Linz for advice. In 1946 he wrote of his conversation with Franz Jaegerstaetter: "I explained in vain to him the moral principles on the degree of responsibility that the private citizen has for the actions of the authorities, and reminded him of the much higher responsibility he had for those around him and particularly his family." After the war ended the bishop suppressed publication of the affair in his district.

     Eventually Franz was arrested by the Gestapo and put in the local prison briefly and then was transferred to a prison in Berlin. During the time he was jailed there, his wife, Franziska, visited him a number of times and discussed with him the need to come back home and accept at least alternative service for the Nazis. She brought with her a photograph of their three children holding a banner that read, "Father, come home." But in his conscience, Franz could not support the Third Reich, the Nazi Empire, and could not serve in Hitler's army in any capacity. For this reason, on August 9, 1943 he was beheaded.

    In visiting St. Radegund for the anniversary, I was greatly encouraged by the outpouring of support for Franz. For the most part, the people of that village are now strongly supportive of Franz and all that he stood for, and all that he died for. In fact, the Diocese of Linz has begun the cause for Franz Jaegerstaetter to be named a Saint in the Church.

     For me, Franz Jaegerstaetter is a role model. His prophetic voice was rejected by the vast majority of his fellow citizens - most of whom professed the same Christian faith he did. Franz chose to search out and expose the radical evil of Hitler and his policies. The others chose not to know.

     "Chose not to know"! Is it too harsh to make such a judgment?

     After World War II the only German leader who confessed to his war crimes, Albert Speer, told in his memoirs how he was often asked: Didn't you know what was happening? Didn't you know the anti-God ideology of Hitler Naziism? Didn't you know of the horrors of the death camps? His answer - finally facing the reality of his choice: "We wanted not to know."!

    Franz' choice, his prophetic witness, must be a model for us as we enter into this 21st century. And I emphasize - and pray - that especially I and my fellow citizens of the United States heed his prophetic voice -- a call that comes to us also from the Gospels - and recently the prophetic voice of John Paul II.

     In March 2000 (and in fact on March 24th, the anniversary of the death of Oscar Romero), John Paul II visited the Mount of the Beatitudes, the place in Galilee where, according to Matthew's Gospel, Jesus first proclaimed the Good News at great length, in the Sermon on the Mount.

     John Paul read the Gospel of the Beatitudes….." blessed are the poor; blessed are the gentle; blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice; blessed are the peacemakers….." We know this gospel well. And after reading that Gospel John Paul spoke to the crowd - hundreds of thousands of people who had gathered there. He reflected on that Gospel. For him the words of Jesus represented a call to all of His followers. He proclaimed, "Jesus' call has always demanded a choice; a choice between the two voices competing for your hearts, even now on this hill." Or, we could say this morning, "….even now in this assembly hall."

     Jesus' call is a call for us to "make a choice between the two voices competing for our hearts." The choice is between good and evil; the choice is between life and death.

   And then, as he so often did, John Paul spoke especially to the young people, and he asked, "Which voice will the young people of the 21st century choose to follow?"

     An important question. We come out of a century that was the most violent in all of human history. A new century, a new millennium is upon us, and which voice will the young people follow during this century? John Paul said: "To put your faith in Jesus means choosing to believe what Jesus says, no matter how strange it may seem, and choosing to reject the claims of evil, no matter how sensible and attractive they may seem." The way of Jesus, will seem foolish, utopian, idealistic - all the words that people use about the Gospel. Which choice will I make? Which choice will you make?

Bishop Gumbleton’s entire speech may be read at www.NCRonline.org/peace/