Talking about the Gospel way of life is like singing my favourite song with a delightful tune. Basically because it is the core of our identity as Franciscans. The gospel way of life is the form of life handed over to us by our seraphic father Saint Francis of Assisi. Francis wrote for himself and for the brothers, present and future, simply and in a few words, a form of life. He used primarily words from the gospel longing only for its perfection (1Celano 32). That is why as Franciscans, we only follow Jesus, the embodiment of the gospel, in the manner of Saint Francis. Jesus is the Word incarnate who commanded his followers to go into all the world, and preach the Good News to all creation (Mk 16:15).
As a young and newly ordained Franciscan priest caught in the world of pluralism and “new age” developments, I cannot help but to drink from the well of our origins, the Gospel tradition. The spirit of Vatican II also urges us to have this creative fidelity to the Jesus of the Gospels. Therefore there is a need for me to configure myself to the person of Jesus as portrayed in the gospel inorder for me not to be confused and to stay focused on my vocation and mission in life. Living the gospel way of life is not so much done in words but in action – a faith in practice. Saint Francis once said, preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary use words. Woe to me then if I talk so much about the Word of God but cannot live it by my example. Lastly, I can only say that I am a true disciple of the Lord if I can translate my love of the gospel to the love of the people around me, especially God’s flock whom the Lord has entrusted to me as a co- labourer, a co-shepherd.
As published in the April 2 issue of the Parish Bulletin.
Santuario de San Antonio Parish 