This episode explores the Franciscan path as a journey of kindness, simplicity, and community. Paul Long shares insights on how Franciscan teachings can address modern challenges, emphasizing the importance of listening, healing, and living lightly. Through practical steps and reflections, he encourages listeners to embrace the values of service, humility, and peacemaking in their daily lives.
The Franciscan way invites us to return to what matters most.
Living simply allows us to hold things lightly and focus on what truly matters.
Sharing our lives creates islands of hope in our communities.
Franciscan poverty is about freedom from excess, not having nothing.
Listening is key to healing divisions and fostering understanding.
Small steps can lead to significant changes in our lives.
Community flourishes when we treat each other as family.
Honest conversation opens sacred spaces between us.
Old wisdom can address modern challenges effectively.
Each person carries God's image, deserving of love and respect.
https://our-walk-together.simplecast.com/episodes/franciscan-wisdom-in-todays-societyFranciscan Wisdom in Today's Society
Hi everybody. Welcome to our walk together. When we look around our. Communities today, Franciscan teachings touch the very challenges we face together. From our relationship to the earth to how we care for one another. This gentle way offers us something precious a path of kindness in an often unkind world. I've witnessed how living these principles changes hearts, including my own. The Franciscan way doesn't offer complex solutions, but rather invites us to return to what matters most. Loving God by loving his creation. As we walk this path together in 2025, let's explore how these timeless teachings can light our way forward. In the words of. Francis, for it is in giving that we receive. Walking the Franciscan path feels like coming home to something beautifully uncomplicated. While many spiritual teachings can feel overwhelming, this way draws us back to the Gospel's heart in its purest form.
Let.
Me share what I've discovered and what makes this path so special for our journey together. You know those quiet moments when heaven seems to touch Earth? That's where Franciscan wisdom shines brightest. Instead of searching for God in grand ceremonies, we meet him in morning dewdrops in evening stars. Sometimes I I pause during my day, remembering how Frances found divine love in everything. He saw. Our lives often overflow with stuff we don't need. The the Franciscan Way teaches us something precious. How to live fully while holding things lightly? It's not about giving up everything, it's about asking. Does this bring me closer? To what truly matters. I found such freedom in this simple question. The beauty of Franciscan living lies in how we share our journey. While some paths encourage solitary seeking, we grow best through daily. With others. It reminds me of of sharing meals around my grandmother's table. The laughter, the differences, the love that holds us all together. Something wonderful happens when we share our lives. Our bread, our time, our hearts. We create little islands of hope in our rushed world. We see this in our community when we gather for shared meals or or help a neighbor move. These simple acts leave us together in God's love. Couple. We should consider. What light fall away if you loosened your grip on things. Where do you feel? God calling you to deeper community. Some actions we can take include choose one drawer, just one drawer in your in your your house, in your closet. Choose one drawer to simplify this week. Invite a neighbor over to share a meal. Notice God's presence. In ordinary moments. The Franciscan way shows us how to walk together through life's challenges. I've seen how peace flows naturally into our relationships and communities when we embrace these simple truths service. Humility and peacemaking shape our Franciscan journey together. Let me share how these ancient guideposts. Our our path today. The gift of Franciscan poverty surprises us. It's not about having nothing. But about choosing freedom from excess when we lose our grip on possessions, something beautiful happens. Our hearts open wider to God and neighbor. I've kind of learned hard sometimes, but I've kind of learned to pause before each purchase. Asking is this a need? For want this simple question creates base in our souls. For what truly matters. Sometimes the richest moments come when we step back from the endless rush to acquire more. Francis shows us something remarkable also about healing divisions. His meeting with Sultan Malik al Kamir reminds us that love reaches across the deepest chasms, even when words fail, hearts can still speak. The path to peace unfolds through quiet listening. Seeking Christ in each face. Serving with gentle hands. Finding shared ground. Francis understanding and understood something profound. Conflict grows loudest when hearts stop listening. His way calls us back to Holy conversation in our heated times, where understanding blooms in silence. A couple questions then. For our hearts. What possession holds too tightly to your spirit? Which relationship needs the bridge of understanding? We pray together. Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me show love. And as we walk forward. We need to release. Just think about. Release one thing that clutters your life. Cher tea, or coffee with someone who sees things differently than you do. Join hands with those serving the forgotten. These timeless values still whisper truth to our searching hearts as we walk this path together. Simplicity and peace. Become not just ideas. But the very air that we breathe. Again, in the words of. Francis, sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society. Let me share how our Franciscan family responds to today's challenges. Their quiet work weaves together prayer and practical help, touching lives in ways that still amaze me. Our Franciscan brothers and sisters speak truth to power. Defending peace, God's creation and human dignity, especially among those facing poverty and persecution. They shape policies that protect both people and the planet. Their love flows through through three different streams. Direct care, creating shelters and supporting networks where hurting hearts. Refuge. Speaking up. Raise concerns and speak up publicly. We often fail at that. And building strength walking alongside communities as they find their voice. Even in business, Franciscan wisdom lights new paths. They show us how companies can serve both God and neighbor, helping workers flourish as whole persons. Our cities still feel Frances Gentle presence as modern Franciscans continue his legacy of urban ministry. Their faithful service reminds us how ancient love speaks to modern pain. Lord, teach our hands to serve with your tender care. And questions for our hearts. Where does your community need Franciscan healing? What might your work become? Holy service and how might that work? Some steps speak to those without speak for those. Me for those without a voice. Look for look. Your resources through Francis's eyes. These simple ways of showing love. And showing that we love show us something precious. Old wisdom. Wisdom. Still heals modern wounds when we join hands in service God's Kingdom. Grows among us. Each morning. Brings. Fresh chances to see God's footprint fingerprints in our world. Let me share how small steps on on this ancient path can change our daily lives. But how do we begin? Boko harpoco. These gentle words from Francis comfort me when change feels overwhelming. By little. Poco ha poco. It doesn't have to be done all at once, just little by little. Sometimes the smallest ship shifts open our hearts the widest. Four simple practices light our way. Attending. Letting each moment speak attending. Inhabiting. Being fully where we are. Valuing seeing treasure in simple things. And gazing, looking with Love's eyes. There's so much peace in these practices, learning to pause and notice those holy whispers in ordinary days. The rushing world grows quiet when we listen and learn to listen in this way. True Franciscan living blooms in honest conversation. Sometimes I forget this simple truth that God speaks through each person that we meet. When we listen with Curious Hearts, sacred space opens between us. Our sharing grows through trading heart judgment for gentle understanding. Like Mary at Jesus feet. Honoring each other's story. Opening our hearts first, Francis shows US community. Opening our hearts. Francis shows US community flourishes when we hold each other as family does share our bread and blessing work hand in hand with neighbors. Build trust. Through tender respect. Lord. Let our daily moments shine with your presence. And in our hearts, we can ask how might. Holy attention. Change. Your daily bread. Where does your heart need space? For deeper listening. Which small step calls to you today? As we walked forward, we can choose one practice to carry through your day. Just one. Open your heart to an unexpected conversation. Find one thing to share with your community. Just one. As we walked together. Let's take a minute to consider the following. What are the core principles of the Franciscan path? How can Franciscan values? Address modern challenges. What are some practical ways to incorporate Franciscan wisdom into daily life? And how does the Franciscan approach to poverty? Differ. From other spiritual traditions. What role does community play in Franciscan spirituality? For those of you who journal, for those of you who keep track of things throughout the day, I'd ask you just maybe to rewind this and copy those questions down. Use them for your meditation. Use them for the time you spend today. What are the core principles of the Franciscan path? How can Franciscan values address modern challenges? What are? Practical ways to incorporate Franciscan wisdom into daily life. How does? The Franciscan approach to poverty differ from other spiritual traditions and. What role does community play in Franciscan spirituality? In conclusion, as we continue our walk together, where does Francis lead us? The Franciscan path keeps teaching me new lessons about living simply and loving deeply. Each step reveals how this ancient wisdom lights our modern path through gentle community. Honest dialogue and hearts open to God's presence.
Walk.
Walking with Frances changes us. Italy, like morning light, warming a stone. When we choose last. Share more and listen deeply. Something beautiful grows in our communities and in the people we meet. I've seen it happen. One small choice at a time. Polka poco. Yeah, this path asks for courage from us, especially when bridges seem. To build. Yet Francis still whispers to us. Every person carries God's image. Even those who walk differently than we do. This old way feels surprisingly fresh in my own life, offering gentle answers to our hardest questions. Step by step, day by day, we learn to walk. As Francis walked simply, peacefully. Together. And finally. Let's pray together. Gentle God. Teach us Francis's simple way.
For.
To live lightly. Deeply and serve joyfully. Make us your peace bearers in this beautiful, broken world. Amen. Thank you for joining me today.