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.
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.
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