Money Sex and Power – Principles, Day 4

Set free in Lady Poverty's embrace
our Father Francis set us an example
of how to meet the challenges we face;
but living simple lives is rarely simple.
Those raucous sirens, money, sex and power
distract us from the Dove's more gentle voice,
and tempt us to postpone another hour
our promised aim of taking up the cross.

Come down, O Love divine, and help us learn
the beauty of desire set free from lust,
of riches shared, with nothing in return,
of fellowships of service, built on trust.
Give us anew, most holy Trinity
the spirit of divine simplicity.

From the Principles of the Third Order of St Francis

Day Four — The Object (continued) 

When Saint Francis encouraged the formation of The Third Order he recognised that many are called to serve God in the spirit of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience in everyday life (rather than in a literal acceptance of these principles as in the vows of the Brothers and Sisters of the First and Second Orders). The Rule of The Third Order is intended to enable the duties and conditions of daily living to be carried out in this spirit.

The Call - Principles, Day 3

Undisciplined, weighed down by wealth, we hear
a still, small voice call, 'Come, and follow me.'
How can we follow? Count the cost, and we
must stand aghast, quite overcome with fear.
Must we be torn from all that we hold dear:
fine dining, stylish clothes, cars, currency,
our stubborn, crass egocentricity,
the hoarded dross of many a greedy year?

But if we heed the call, if we submit
and die to self, we'll be set free to share
with others, poor in spirit, who commit
to serve our fragile, blessèd Order, where
we humbly meet in joy and love, all knit
together in community and prayer.


From the Principles of the Third Order of St Francis

Day Three — The Object (continued)
Jesus calls those who would serve him to follow his example and choose for themselves the same path of renunciation and sacrifice. To those who hear and obey, he promises union with God. The object of the Society of Saint Francis is to build a community of those who accept Christ as their Lord and Master, and are dedicated to him in body and spirit. They surrender their lives to him and to the service of his people. The Third Order of the Society consists of those who, while following the ordinary professions of life, feel called to dedicate their lives under a definite discipline and vows. They may be female or male, married or single, ordained or lay.

The Way of the Cross – Principles Day 2

He chose the narrow path, the one that led
inexorably towards Jerusalem.
He set his face, knowing what lay ahead –
the legalists, so eager to condemn;
the rulers, fearful of their Roman lords.
He freely let himself be spent, stretched tight
by pressing crowds so hungry for his words
and healing touch. The ones shoved out of sight
he sought, and loved: the lepers, children, and
the women, bleeding, crippled, widowed, poor.
Poured out for them, he followed to the end
the narrow path to Golgotha. He saw
that grasping life makes life decay – to give
one's very self's the way to truly live.


From the Third Order Principles

Day Two — The Object (continued)

In the example of his own sacrifice, Jesus reveals the secret of bearing fruit. In surrendering himself to death, he becomes the source of new life. Lifted from the earth on the cross, he draws all people to himself. Clinging to life causes life to decay; the life that is freely given is eternal.

A grain of wheat - Principles, Day 1

This is the first in a series of poems based on the Principles of the Third Order of St Francis

A single grain held in your hand. So small –
would barely feed an ant – and yet, inside
is life: you simply need to let it fall.
Buried in fertile loam as if it's died,
those spiral strands of coded life will spark
its secret growth, until a questing shoot
breaks through the crusted earth, escapes the dark
to greet the sun, ready to bear much fruit.

And if we grasp our heart's desire too tight –
afraid to let it brave another's gaze
for fear of scorn or pity, snub or spite;
even, perhaps, too shy to deal with praise –
can that bright seed bear fruit? We'll never know
unless we set it free to let it grow.


From the Principles of the Third Order of St Francis

Day One — The Object

Jesus said, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.’
John 12.24-26