Week 13: Francis on being a Community

From the Third Order First Rule, 1221
The men belonging to this brotherhood shall dress in humble, undyed cloth…The sisters in turn shall wear an outer garment and tunic made of cloth of the same price and humble quality…They are not to wear silken or dyed veils and ribbons. And both the brothers and the sisters shall have their fur garments of lamb’s wool only. They are permitted to have leather purses and belts sewed in simple fashion without silken thread, and no other kind.
Question: Everyone here seems to be dressed modestly. Is this a sign of our being in Franciscan community?

All the brothers and sisters of every city and place are to meet together every month…
Question: We meet weekly for an hour. Has this given us a sense that we are a community. Should we meet for longer, or less frequently?

All are daily to say the seven canonical Hours, that is: Matins, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers, and Compline.
Question: We pray for each other and pray at the start and finish of our meeting. Have you any suggestions about this?

From The (First Order) Rule of 1221, Chapter 11
We must not indulge in dissing people or having arguments.
Instead let us try to be quiet - as and when God gives us the opportunity to be quiet.
We should not disrespect others or quarrel among ourselves or with others but be content to reply to everyone in a spirit of humility and say, ‘we are at your service, only doing what is expected of us’. We must not give way to anger because, as our Lord said, ‘anyone who is angry with their friend will be judged for their anger…
As Jesus commanded us, let us love one another, in what we do as well as what we say…

From the (First Order) Rule of 1221, Chapter 7
And all the brothers, wherever they are and in whatever situation, should honour each other in spirit and attentively, respecting each another without any grumbling. They should let it be seen that they are happy in God, cheerful and courteous, as is expected of them, and be careful not to appear gloomy or depressed, which is a form of hypocrisy.

From the Rule of Life for her Order, written by St. Clare
Moreover I ask and encourage the sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ to beware of all pride, conceit, envy, greed, care and anxiety about this world, criticism and grumbling, disagreements and division. Let us on the contrary always be eager to preserve among ourselves the unity of mutual love which is the bond of perfection.

From the first biography of St. Francis by Thomas of Celano
How great was the love that grew in that company of brothers! Whenever they came together in a group or met one another on the road (which was quite often) a shoot of spiritual love sprang up, scattering the seeds of true love over them all. What more can I say? – There were respectful hugs, affectionate feelings, pleasant conversations, modest laughter, joyful looks, an honest eye, a flexible mind, a peaceable tongue, a mild answer, a single purpose, prompt obedience, and untiring hands.

Question: Can we do better? Is there enough time for conversations, or are we happy just to listen? Should we read only some of Francis’ words and have more time to talk?