Understanding Franciscan Spirituality

Part 2The God who reveals Himself

Kenosis

• Self-emptying

• From Bonaventure – self-giving, totally, completely, unconditionally for the good of the other

Good

• Francis speaks of God as good, the most high good, the supreme good.

• The highest form of good is Love

See Jn 13, 15, Mt 5, 44 & Lk 6, 27, 35

• give life for friends

• Give life to Francis is to give everything

• To hold nothing back

See St Paul Rom 35 & Phil 2

• Phil 2 the great hymn of servant-hood• Emptied himself• Form of a slave• Accepting even death on the cross

• Showing the depth of God’s love for us

6

“ 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross”. Philippians 2:5-8The Revised Standard Version. 1971 (Php 2:5). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos

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Poverty of God

God• All that Jesus says and does, reveals who God is. That

which exists visibly in Jesus, exists invisibly, mysteriously, in God.

• The Incarnation is an act of humility, this is because God is a Being of humility.

• Jesus is poor because God is poor.• the Father, God himself, in the garments of the

eternal Servant• The Cross, Passion and death of Jesus = the fullness

and depth of the Father’s love, and His willingness to sacrifice all to show that Love.

• Jesus came so that the Father could show himself

• (may your name be glorified: it reveals who you are, Your "glory - kabod").

• And the Father confirms it for us!

• God is a Love.

• Now, to love is to die to oneself, not only preferring others to oneself,

• but refusing to exist for oneself,

• with the purpose of existing only for others.

• God is a Trinity.

The Existence of God is eternally in the act of giving himself to others.

Who is your God

• After reading the Scriptures, the thoughts of Francis, the words of Pope Benedict XVI

• Who, what is your image of God?

• Who is the God you believe in?