Discerning Franciscan Spirituality

Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Mary Ann Spanjers begins a series of reflections on Discerning Franciscan Spirituality. Sr. Mary Ann is a Theology teacher now ministering as part of the Vocation Team of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. The world needs you. God calls you. We invite you.

Welcome to this blog on Franciscan Discernment.

I am Sister Mary Ann Spanjers, a Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity

One of the questions I ask theology students is “Why did Jesus come to earth” “Why did the incarnation happen?” The immediate answer is one that most of us learned as children and have never gone deeper—”Jesus came to save us.” So, I proceed to ask, what does that mean? Did he throw us a life jacket or lifeboat? Save us from what? Who? How? The what is partially correct, the response being he came to save us from our sins. I ask again what does that mean? I enter into a quagmire discussion with the students sinking deeper into ignorance being unable to explain what they think they know about the incarnation. Why Jesus came to earth.

Jesus himself tells us clearly in scripture why he came to be with us. “I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:38) “Jesus explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.” (John 4:34) “I can do nothing by Myself; I judge only as I hear. And My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” (John 5:30) “Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”(Matthew 26:39)

Jesus came to do the will of the Father! What is the Father’s will? Jesus spent his life helping us get to know the Father. “Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns–and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matt.6:26) “Look how the wildflowers grow! They don’t work hard to make their clothes. But I tell you Solomon with all his wealth wasn’t as well clothed as one of these flowers. God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. Won’t he do even more for you?” (Matt 6:27-28) “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him [on] the last day.” (John 6:40)

The Father sent Jesus to help us discover His unique, personal, intimate love for each of us. The Father desires to bring all humanity into one, for each of us to belong to him.

God the Father is always the focus of Jesus! One of the most important things Jesus wants us to “get” is that this life and the next is all about being in relationship. The source of Jesus’ motivation, actions, words, sacrifice, ministry, was the Father’s love for him and his love for his Father. Jesus’ entire life, death and resurrection was to help us discover that God is also Our Father who loves and cherishes us. God created us in his divine nature, to be part of His very life!

This understanding in one’s mind and heart is essential to Franciscan Discernment.

Stay tuned for Part II.