FOLLOW ME

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FOLLOW ME
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THE CALL OF THE DISCIPLE

• Matthew 910-17
• He got up
• and
• followed him

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MATTHEWS CALL

• A longer process?
• Time for reflection
• The final decision

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OUR CALL

• Baptism
• Confession, Communion
• Confirmation
• Life Vocation

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OUR CALL

• Gradual or unexpected
• Stumbling response

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APOSTLES

• Failed to understand
• Sent back to Galilee
• Understood after Resurrection

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US

• The Risen Lord
• works with us
• Confirms Good News
• Go, make disciples

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THE WAY OF LIFE OF THE DISCIPLE

• Luke 1038-42
• She sat down and listened

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DISCIPLE

• On the way with Jesus
• Not to fret over cares
• Build Gods Kingdom

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DISCIPLE

• Hear the Masters word
• Not idle contemplation
• Results in action

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MARY

• Disciple, listening
• A woman
• Jesus accepted women

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FOLLOWER OF CHRIST

• Hear Gods word
• and keep it
• Listen,
• then act

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MARTHA

• needs to
• Listen to Gods Word
• as well as
• Serve people
• Without complaint

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JESUS

• doesnt contrast
• Listening / Doing
• Religious life / Lay life
• Contemplative / Active

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OUR TASK

• Combine Mary and Martha
• Listen and act
• read the Word of God
• serve others

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RELIGIOUS

• Listen to Christs Word
• Do His Work

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SECULAR FRANCISCANS

• Pray
• everywhere
• at particular times
• Act

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Jesus says Follow ME

• WHY
• 
  FOLLOW
• 
  SAINT
• 
  FRANCIS?

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EVERY CHRISTIAN

• is called to follow Jesus
• to live a unique life
• authentically

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FOLLOW JESUS

• Many ways
• Many spiritualities
• Christian
• Catholic
• Find your suitable one

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CATHOLIC FOUNDERSof spiritual families

• for example
• St Benedict of Norcia
• St Ignatius Loyola
• St Francis of Assisi

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CATHOLIC SPIRITUALITIES

• centred on
• GOD Benedictine
• MAN Jesuit
• GOD-MAN Franciscan

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A SAINTS SPIRITUALITY

• conditioned by
• Time and place
• Gods gifts

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A SAINTS RESPONSETO GOD

• Imagining
• Speaking
• Approaching

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A SAINTS APPROACHTO GOD

• pondering
• penetrating
• attracted

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OUR CHOICE

• Not arbitrary
• personal
• life history
• family influence
• education
• reading, study

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PERSONAL

• parents
• temperament
• gifts

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PERSONAL

• intellectual or affective
• contemplative or active
• pessimistic or optimistic

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FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY
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ST FRANCIS

• affective
• idealist
• optimist
• practical

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FRANCISCANS

• called to follow Christ,
• in the footsteps
• of St Francis

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FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY

• positive, no regrets
• centred on Jesus Christ,
• Son of God
• our brother
• our closest friend
• Nothing else matters

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FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY

• centred on Jesus Christ,
• Transcendent God the Son
• Incarnate son of God
• and of Mary the Virgin

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FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY

• THE WAY
• Go to the Father
• by means of the Son
• in the light of the Holy Spirit

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FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY

• TRINITARIAN
• Transcendent God
• Source of life and love
• One God in three Persons

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FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY

• EXPERIENCE GOD
• in three Persons
• in the Gospel

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FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY

• IMMANENT GOD
• in creation
• Creator
• Provider
• Sustainer

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FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY

• IMMANENT GOD
• Father and Mother
• Son and brother
• Spouse and friend

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OUR FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY

• Personal relationship with Jesus Christ
• Brother
• Saviour
• God
• leading to the Trinity

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OUR FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY

• Dont ape St Francis
• Develop his dispositions
• Relate to Jesus personally
• Be inspired by Jesus

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All St Francis tried to do was to be an authentic
Christian
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ST FRANCIS INSPIRES US

• Dont follow the Gospel literally,
• not only with ideas
• Love Jesus Crucified
• he is the one I love

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ST FRANCIS INSPIRES US

• Hear Gods call, respond
• Walk with Jesus in person
• Faith in God who is Love

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ST FRANCIS HEARDTHE GOSPEL

• Continual conversion
• To Jesus, the Son
• Obedient to the Father

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ST FRANCIS OBEYEDTHE GOSPEL

• Lifelong response
• renewed, redirected
• in school of suffering

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MY RESPONSE

• Follow me
• My particular call
• My unique response

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MY RESPONSE

• Inspired by St Francis
• Direct approach to Jesus
• to the Father,
• through the Son
• in the Holy Spirit