Day 29. Admonition 26

 

That the Servants of God should honour Clerics.   1. Blessed is the servant of God who exhibits confidence in clerics who live uprightly according to the form of the holy Church.   2 Woe to those people who despise the cleric.  Even if the clerics may be sinners, no one ought to judge them.  Because the Lord Himself reserves to Himself alone the right of judging them.   3. For their duty of administering the most holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which they receive and which they alone administer to others—is greater than all others.    4. So the sin of those who offend against the cleric is greater than any sin against all the other people in this world.

I believe that all of us, at some time, have the difficulty of separating the deed from the doer.     Therefore, when the Cleric seems to be all they should be in the eyes of their congregation, it is easy to trust them.   We receive the sacraments from them in confidence - because we see that they live life according to the form of the holy church.   We do not expect their outward appearance to differ from the interior and so we are confident in them.   Exteriors are deceiving…   In today’s world it is easier to see that a cleric is first of all human and we may dislike this person.   They might be a known sinner yet we are not to pass judgement on them because they are priests of God.    Remember: Exteriors are deceiving…   They stand in the place of Christ at the altar and confect the blessed sacrament for us.   They alone may do this and Francis tells us that God alone reserves the right to judge them; Francis also says that those who pass judgement on the Cleric commit a sin greater than any other.

 

Day 28. Admonition 24 & 25

Of True Love. 24 Blessed is that person who would love their fellow human as much as when they are ill and not able to assist, as they would love their fellow humans when they are well, and are able to assist. 25 Blessed is the person who would love and fear their fellow human, as much when they are from them, as they would when they are with him.  Who would not say anything about them, behind their backs that could not, with charity, be said in their presence Ooo000oooO The Admonition set for today’s Meditation is really two. Admonition 24 is titled “Of True Love” and the following one reads, more a less “to the same purpose or likewise. Both deal with emotions, behaviours far and near, As per usual. Francis deals with a situation that seems close to his heart, the way that fellow religious, are to behave lovingly toward each other.  I have mentioned before that Francis’ Admonitions are ‘relational’, social; none of them would apply to a hermit in a cave. They are meant for us, that wherever we are we hold our fellow humans in the highest esteem, as much as when we are apart as together. 1. Loving another no matter what happens, irrespectively of what they can do for us. Simply loving. 2. Having great respect for someone irrespective of whether you are together or apart. 3. Not talking behind each other’s backs. If it cannot be said to their face then it ought not to be said at all. It all seems like good manners to me, something that shouldn’t need spelling out. How often, though, do we catch ourselves out in the occasional; uncharitable word or three? Perhaps resenting someone because they cannot help out today and all smiles when they can. Taking the mickey out of someone when they are not there to disagree, polite before their eyes and all insolence behind their backs.

Day 27. Admonition 23/ 24

Of True Humility. Blessed is the person who shall be found as humble among their subjects as if they were among their masters. Blessed is the servant who always continues under the rod of correction. They are “…faithful and wise servants” who do not delay to punish themselves for all their offences, interiorly by contrition and exteriorly by confession and by works of satisfaction.

Being as humble among their subjects as they are among their masters, assumes the person is  humble. If it were any other, way this admonition would be pointless. The sign of true humility is someone who abides with correction rather than protest they are above it. Moreover, are truly honest with themselves, in both mind and heart availing themselves of the sacrament of Reconciliation and making amends.

Day 26. Admonition 22/23

Of True Correction. Blessed is the servant who bears discipline, accusation, and blame from others, as patiently as if they came from themselves. Blessed is the servant who, when reproved, mildly submits, modestly obeys, humbly confesses, and willingly satisfies. Blessed is the servant who, when they are without fault, is not prompted to excuse him or herself, but who humbly bears the shame and reproof for the sin.

Are we here yet? Those who bear disciple in these cases are truly humble, and honest; with both themselves and others. They are true to their vows and they trust the others. Take joy in the fact that they can do all of these things without thinking or feeling lesser in their own sight or in others. Simply this: - it takes someone who is very sure of their intrinsic worth not to protest innocence when wrongly accused.

Day 25. Admonition 21/22

Of the Frivolous and Talkative Religious.         [3] Blessed is that servant who does not speak through the hope of receiving a reward.   Who does not reveal everything they know and is not “hasty to speak,” [4] but who wisely foresees what he ought to say and answer.   Woe to that religious, who does not conceal in their heart, the good things which the Lord has disclosed to them   And who does not show them to others by the work they do, but rather seeks a reward by telling others about them.     These religious have already received their recompense, and their hearers take away little fruit.     Br Andrew EFO	Note – the Blessed one – is not necessarily a Friar or other religious person though it can be. Francis expected more from himself and his Friars than of Lai Christians, that is why in teaching about those who fail in being true servants of God are referred to as ‘Religious’   As usual this Admonition is in two parts: the first, about the Blessed or good servant. The second about the Friar who fails to keep the Rule in one way or another.     This time the blessed servant: knows to keep custody of his mind   And is very careful to think before speaking.   And does not expect a reward in exchange for speaking of the things of God.   The frivolous friar, on the other-hand does just the opposite:     Does not show in their works the good things God has revealed to them   Rather tells everyone about God’s revelation to them. Like a tree of knowledge – but the fruit is bruised.   And for all their attention their hearers take away only bruised fruit. Do you know someone like this?
[3 ]This Admonition (like No 11) is wanting in Cod An (Codex St. Anthony), but is found in the Speculum Perfectionis, ed Lemmens See Doc Ant. Franc, P II, p 84.   [4 ]Prov. 29:20   “Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”(NASB)

 

Day 24. Admonition 20/ 21.

Of The Happy And The Vain Religious.   Blessed is that religious who feels no pleasure or joy save in most holy conversation and the works of the Lord, and who by these means leads others2 to the love of God in joy and gladness.   And woe to that religious who takes delight in idle and vain words and by this means provokes them to laughter.

I think if we take Francis literally then we might be so heavenly minded that we are of no earthly good to anyone.   When we are with God in our interior selves, yet continuing to do our everyday chores, in our interaction with others the presence of God will shine for others to see– and lead them to ask why we seem so serene despite the ups and downs of everyday living.   Blowing one’s own trumpet and very much out of tune with real life; others will laugh at us.   Empty pitchers…

 

Day 23. Admonition 20

Of the Good and Humble Religious. Blessed are they who do not regard themselves as better when they are esteemed and extolled by others, than when they are reputed as mean and despicable, so much they are and no more. 1 Woe to those religious who are elevated in dignity by others and, who by their own will are not ready to descend. Blessed are they (Matt.24:26) who are raised in dignity not by their own will, and who always desire to be beneath the feet of others. Rather than comment on this Admonition, I have chosen to include the passage cited below.

Chapter VI.I Francis’ Humility and Obedience –God’s Condescension to His Slightest Wish Francis had humility in abundance, the guardian and the crowning glory of all virtue. He was a mirror and a shining example of Christian perfection but in his own eyes he was only a sinner, and it was on this that he based his spiritual progress, laying the foundation he had learned from Christ, as a careful architect should (cf. 1Cor3, 10). The Son of God, he used to say, descended from the sublimity of the Father’s bosom to share our misery and become our Lord and Teacher, in order to teach us humility by word and example. Therefore as Christ’s true disciple, he was careful to preserve a low opinion of himself and appear worthless in the eyes of others, keeping in mind the words of the supreme Teacher, “What is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in God’s sight” (Lk 16, 15). He often used to remark, “What a man is before God, that he is and no more,” Consequently he was convinced that it was foolish to be elated when people showed him marks of respect; he was upset by praise, but overjoyed when he was insulted. He liked to have people scorn him --- that spurred him on to do better--- and hated to be praised, which could lead to a fall. When people praised the height of his sanctity, he used to command one of the friars to do the opposite and heap insults on him. Then, as the friar obeyed reluctantly and called him a boor and a time-server, worthless and good for nothing. He would listen cheerfully and say with a smile, “God bless you my son. What you say is true. That is the kind of thing the son of Peter Bernadone should have to listen to.”

1.See Bonav Leg Maj, VI, 1. “And he had these words continually in his mouth ‘what a man is in the eyes of God, so much he is, and no more’ ” See also Imitation of Christ, Bk III, Chap L, where the same saying of St Francis is quoted

1.    Fr. Benen Fahy O.F.M,(trans) 1991 , ‘Major Life of St. Francis, by St. Bonaventure in M. A. Habig (ed.), St. Francis of Assisi Writings and Early Biographies, English  Omnibus of Sources, Franciscan Press Quincy University, p 671

                                                                                                        

Day 22 Admonition 19.

Of The Happy And Unhappy Servant. Blessed are the servants who give up all their goods to the Lord God, for they who retain anything for themselves hide “[their] Lord’s money,” and that “which they think they have shall be taken away from them.”

Day 22 Admonition 19 Blessed are the servants who surrender all their goods to the Lord. To withhold anything from God is the same as hiding it from God.(See Matt 25 18) The Lord will repossess it and the little those servants thought they had shall be taken away. (Luke 8 18.)

Day 21. Admonition 18

Of Compassion Toward One’s  Neighbour Blessed is the one who has as much compassion for their neighbour in their frailty, as they would wish to receive from them when they, too, are frail. (Cfr. Gal 6:2; Mt 7:12).

Gal 6:2 Help carry each other's burdens. In this way you will follow Christ's teachings Matthew 7:12 Always do for other people everything you want them to do for you. That is [the meaning of] Moses' Teachings and the Prophets.  (God’s Word Translation) Christianity is a reciprocal/mutual religion, or is meant to be. Francis stresses this in every Admonition; human beings are social beings; Christians are called to perfect Society, to the degree that God works through them to this end. If we expect others to be compassionate with us then we must also be as compassionate with them.

Day 20. Admonition 17 v2

 

Of the  humble servants of God

 

1.    Blessed be God for the wonders he has worked through me! Blessed again for the works God has worked through you. (Mt.24:46)

 

2.    God works more works through me than he does through you. You aren’t worthy of my praise

 

       And if this one’s neighbour is not worthy of acknowledgement for the works God works through them then how little praise will that servant return to God?

Day 20. Admonition 17 v1

Of the humble servants of God   Blessed are those servants (Mt.24:46) who do not ‘magnify’ themselves because of the good God says and does through them, any more than because of the good God says and works through others.     They sin when they wish to receive more from their neighbours than they, themselves, are willing to give to the Lord God. (Blair)   17. Of The Humble Servant Of God.   Blessed is that servant who is not more puffed up because of the good the Lord says and works through him than because of that which He says and works through others. A man sins who wishes to receive more from his neighbor than he is himself willing to give to the Lord God. (Robinson)            Day 20. Of the Humble Servant of God.   Blessed is that servant who is not more puffed up because of the good the Lord says and does through them, than because of that which God says and works through others. A person sins when they want to receive more from their neighbour, than they are themselves willing to give to the Lord God. (Koller)

When we put together the Office 1 of the EFO we did so with regard to any copyright of the various translations of the Admonitions. We used those of Paschal Robinson 2 because they are in the public domain. Our Brother Shepherd modernised the English and made them gender neutral.   For my purpose:   - today I have retranslated Admonition 17 from the original Latin of Codex A. 3 using the word Magnify instead of the words ‘puffed up’.4   If I remember correctly, the first time I came across the word ‘magnify’ was when I began to learn the Magnificat as an Initiate of the Roman Catholic Church.   Mary, sings “My soul knows how glorious my Lord is”, her very breath acknowledges the splendour of her Lord. God is Mary’s Superstar -and there are numerous similes expressing this, yet there are no words that capture this reality.   Within the context of religious life Francis teaches that we are blessed when we are not more impressed with ourselves when God uses us to say and do something marvellous, something praiseworthy; than we are when God works in the same way through others.   We sin when we are impressed with ourselves because God uses us, it is as if we have done it all by ourselves.   This is more than just a prideful thought but something we attribute to our very soul.       “How great am I, I have done it!”               Me! Me!   We sin when we ‘magnify’ ourselves – from our throne sitting at the heart of us, we are egoists and exhale conceit like carbon dioxide yet do not know it.     We are “legends”, Superstars, in our own minds.   When we are in this state, completely consumed by our own greatness we are unlikely to give much praise to our fellows and even less likely to praise God.

i.    1. Br Luke Koller E.F.O. (Ed.), 2007,” EFO Rule of Life”,   2nd edition Version 1, Winmalee, Community Press.   1.    2.The Writings of Saint Francis of Assisi, newly translated into English with an Introduction and Notes by Father Paschal Robinson of the Order of Friars minor (Philadelphia: The Dolphin Press, 1906). And Online Library of Liberty   2.    3.Directorio Franciscano Escritos  de San Francisco de Asis en Latin, Admonitiones [Adm]forma [A]

                                                                                                        

 

Day 19. Admonition 16

Day 19. Admonition 16 Of Cleanness of Heart. “Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8 Douay- Rheims) People are clean in their heart, when they despise earthly things.  Always seeking those of heaven, and who, with a pure heart and mind, never cease to adore and contemplate the Lord God Living and True.

Francis speaks of the clean of heart ‘despising earthly things’. This is a teaching for the individual as a measure of cleanliness of heart. Jesus teaches us the connection between an impure mind and an unclean heart in his teaching about the perfect Law of love. (See Matthew 5 for his  teaching on Adultery, murder, divorce and oaths) When our minds are pure and our hearts clean we have the disposition to seek the things that are of God. Turning to God, by the minute, contemplating Jesus in the Holy Sacrament of the Altar ‘till one day we shall see him.

Day 18. Admonition 15

 

Day 18. Admonition 15   Of Peacemakers.   “Blessed are the peacemakers: 1 for they shall be called the children of God.”   People are truly peacemakers, when in the middle of all they suffer in this world; they maintain peace in their soul and in their body, and for the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.                                   1 Matt. 5. 9.

What really is a peacemaker?   I have primarily associated the term ‘Peacemaker’ with someone engaged in the process of bringing waring nations factions together again:   A Diplomat, Intermediary, Arbiter are terms referring to Peacemakers in specific instances; stark definitions that don’t quite hit the nail on the head.   Peacemaking begins within us as we come to terms with who we are and forgive ourselves for everything. (Here you might like to go to Clarity to read an article about Peacemaking by Annie Zalezak.)   It is in dwelling in perfect peace, being peaceful; this new serenity fits us to begin to devote ourselves to making peace between others.   And so we shall be called children of God.   Isaiah 26:3 “With perfect peace you will protect those whose minds cannot be changed, because they trust you.”(GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995))

 

 

Day 17. Admonition 14

Of Poverty of Spirit. “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” 1 Many apply themselves to prayers and offices, and practice much abstinence and bodily mortification.  When a single word, which seems to be hurtful to their bodies or because of something being taken from them, they are scandalized and troubled. These people are not poor in spirit.  Someone who is truly poor in spirit, hates themselves and loves those who strike them on the cheek. 2 000ooo000

What does it mean to be “poor in spirit”? I used to think that the first Beatitude read ‘Blessed are the Poor’ and have always found this perplexing because why would anyone who is poor be happy. The correct reading is ‘Blessed are the Poor in Spirit’ which makes no more sense than previously. Francis has omitted the key word ‘know’ as in ‘Blessed are those who know they are poor in spirit.’ This word is absent in the Vulgate, and in the Greek. God’s Word version reads “Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually helpless. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.” (Matt5:3 -GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995) The Blessing comes in knowing that we are poor in spirit: To be poor in spirit is to realize that nothing we have is worth more than the kingdom of God. Knowing this, we become willing to part with anything we have if it hinders us from receiving the kingdom. This is why Jesus said, ‘No one of you can be my disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.’” (Luke 14:33)3 In this Admonition Francis attempts to illustrate how someone who is Poor in Spirit should behave. It is not in those who are seen to keep the Rule and perform other religious duties to make satisfaction for their sins. For if they were really Poor in Spirit they would not take offense when someone said something unkind to them nor be troubled if something was stolen from them. In the final sentence Francis says “Someone who is truly poor in spirit, hates themselves and loves those who strike them on the cheek.” I think that what he means is that those who know/recognise they are Poor in Spirit will put God first then others before themselves. Or more simply those who know they are poor in spirit see our world in its true perspective.

The Admonitions are taken from the Prayer book of the E.F.O 1 Matt 5. 3 2 See Matt. 5. 39