Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Mary Ann Spanjers continues a Discernment Series with a focus on Rebuilding Begins in the Heart. Saint Francis was looking at… crumbling masonry and its roof open to the wind and rain, year by year causing the fresco of the Assumption of Mary to fade and disintegrate, he must have had a feeling that he had found home at last. Perhaps because the Portiuncula was farther from the town so deeply buried in the woods, seemed to him so little worth repairing, his senses were at this place, first opened to the real meaning of the words of the crucified Christ in San Damiano. Christ was setting him a task far greater than putting stone upon stone in disused churches. The repair needed was in the hearts of men and women, of popes, bishops, priests, magistrates, politicians, soldiers, business owners, ordinary men and women all bound together in the Mystical Body of Christ, which is the living Church… Discerning your Call? Visit us at fscc-calledtobe.org (We have a lot of options for you to get to know us.) God Calls You. We Invite You. Dios te llama. Te invitamos.
Transcript
Franciscan Discernment Spirituality June 2025
St Francis call from God to “Rebuild His Church” was not a one-time event. Upon completing the reconstruction of San Damiano about the year 1208, Francis continued his rebuilding project from God and undertook to repair an ancient, long-neglected, rectangular chapel with a rounded roof, dedicated to Our Lady of the Angels and commonly called the Portiuncula or “little portion” because, as people said, Saint Benedict himself was given a little parcel or portion of land near the chapel. Certainly, it had belonged to the Benedictines on Monte Subasio and closely associated with Francis and his family through the Benedictine church so near his own home.
Francis was looking at its crumbling masonry and its roof open to the wind and rain, year by year causing the fresco of the Assumption of Mary to fade and disintegrate, he must have had a feeling that he had found home at last. Perhaps because the Portincula was farther from the town so deeply buried in the woods, seemed to him so little worth repairing, his senses were at this place, first opened to the real meaning of the words of the crucified Christ in San Damiano. Christ was setting him a task far greater than putting stone upon stone in disused churches. The repair needed was in the hearts of men and women, of popes, bishops, priests, magistrates, politicians, soldiers, business owners, ordinary men and women all bound together in the Mystical Body of Christ, which is the living Church, yet still for the most part living separate, lonely, misfitting self-regarding lives ion slavery to pride and money, in fear of insecurity, nursing hollow ambitions in the vicious circle of passions and distractions. Much of this comes from the author Michael De La Bedoyere in his book, “Francis of Assisi, The Man who Found Perfect Joy.”
I cannot help but put what was happening in St. Francis’ world 800 years ago in the context of our time of 2025. The insecurities of so many people due to corrupt politicians, the insatiable greed for money, power, status by those we call “famous”, the lack of concern for the hungry, the migrant, families trying to provide for their children; the misguided ways we use religion to justify our actions, the pursuit of leisure, pleasure, technology as escapism from what is uncomfortable or difficult, the extremes of those who struggle and those who are wealthy… so many hearts in the wrong direction.
The need to rebuild the hearts and lives of so many today is a call Jesus is making to the young adults in our world. Jesus calls us to be authentic, to risk worldly power and success for infinite meaning and fulfillment by choosing to care for others, by choosing to live in simplicity, by choosing to let go of one’s ego and be humble instead, by choosing to rebuild the Church, find meaning in life with others who also believe and desire to give allegiance to God, the Father, with Jesus. Are you willing to give up your life so that you may find it? Are you open to living in a way that is different, challenging, misunderstood choosing Jesus’ path instead of your own? It is a huge risk but choosing a life such as this will bring more fulfillment, meaning, tenderness, encounters, struggle, adventure, freedom, communion and love than you can imagine, because you do not do this alone, it is with the strength of the Holy Spirit within you! It is a way to answer Jesus’ call to rebuild his Church and discover that you are part of creating His Kingdom here on earth!
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