Eleven members of our Fraternity and our Spiritual Assistant Fr. Jim Gardiner met on Sunday October 18 for our monthly gathering. Our two principal topics were the final chapter of “Surrounded by Love” by Fr Murray Bodo OFS and Article 18 of the OFS Rule.
Regarding the chapter, we discussed what it meant to St. Francis–and to us personally–to love God, our brothers and sisters, and all of creation. We pondered what it means to love God, who unlike our fellow creatures does not need us to take care of Him, and how that love connects with our caring for others.
Regarding Article 18 of the Rule, we discussed how becoming Franciscans is changing the way we relate to all creatures, which “bear the imprint of the Most High,” and how we might be exploiting them for our convenience. One of our members shared that she has begun to experience pangs even when she kills a mosquito or ant.