Time: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm BST
No. of Attendees: 11
Discussion: Reflection 43 ‘Charity for the Sick’ from ‘Live Like Francis’ (L. Foley, J Weigel O.F.M.)
Special Note: This was an online monthly meeting held jointly with OFS Fraternity Aarhus, Denmark.
Summary:
In themselves, sickness and suffering are tragic and senseless, the inheritance of original sin. But Christ has sanctified even the wounds of human nature. This terrible scourge of mankind can be changed into a blessing, by being united to the sufferings of Christ.
Christ wants to take your individual suffering, and unite it to his. Remember, “the head cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you.”‘ Of all the statements about our continuing Christ’s life, none is more astounding than this: “I fill up in my body for what is wanting in the suffering of Christ, for the sake of his body, which is the Church.” Our Father Francis received the highest proof of Christ’s love and need of him when his body was literally put on a cross with Christ by the reality of the five wounds of the stigmata.
The Son of God entered into the human misery that had resulted from sin. He let evil seem to overcome him, going down even into death like anyone else. But the human Christ who did this was totally possessed by the love of his Father and this love was infinitely more powerful than all the forces of evil. Christ maintained his perfect trust no matter what happened to him. He was totally in the hands of his Father.
All the suffering brothers and sisters of Christ are asked to become part of Christ’s great act of love on the cross by continuing it and offering it as a substitute for all the sins ever committed. “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12-13).
Franciscan tradition calls us to maintain the spirit of Francis especially in suffering. Secular Franciscans who are sick, disabled or afflicted with any infirmity are not to see these afflictions as punishments of God but as results of living in physical human bodies. We are to seek healing offered through the skills of the medical profession which are also God’s gifts. We are to call on the prayers of the community for healing. We can request the Anointing of the Sick. And in the manner of Francis, we will remember these words in order to maintain our sense of joy even in suffering: “I beg the sick brother to thank God for everything and to desire to be whatever the Lord wills, whether sick or well” (Saint Francis, Earlier Rule).
The tradition of the Secular Franciscan Order of Saint Francis places great stress on charity toward the sick and infirm. Francis saw the Christ of the Gospels not only preaching the Kingdom to people’s minds and hearts but also going out of his way to relieve the pain and sickness of their bodies. And Francis could do no less! To be very practical, then, Secular Franciscans must make it a matter of special concern to visit the sick and infirm, with sympathy, encouragement and fraternal charity. Nothing could be closer to the mind of Saint Francis than to see Christ in the sick and to relieve his pain. The merit of suffering is only increased by the smiles we can bring to the faces of the sick and through the encouragement our sympathy brings to their hearts. Most of all, our prayers bring them strength to continue their present task in the Mystical Body.
Some points discussed:
· We are invited to unite with Christ on the cross – sharing in Christs suffering.
· Why did Christ suffer? – A reflection of spiritual suffering due to sin.
· Charity for others in physical suffering is a reflection of God’s love for us in spite of our sin.
· We suffer from an innate discontentment in being human – but Christ is not discontent.
· Francis and the sick – I beg the sick to thank God for everything.
The meeting concluded with a final prayer
Lord, your life on earth was filled with concern for the sick. Have compassion now on all who share your pain. Give them healing of mind and body; restore their strength and spirit. May they be comforted by the knowledge that we are praying for them and find peace in a sense of your presence.
OFS Oxford 