brianofm

[brianofm]

A letter to my future self

Dear brother

It’s been five years since you’ve completed the FJI summer classes in Oceanside and I wanted to write to you my brother as to where I have been and where I see myself going by applying certain principles of Franciscan philosophy. It is the summer of 2024 and I’ve graduated from CTU just this past May. I am about to begin my ministry at St. Bonaventure Universities’ Institute for Arab and Islamic studies in mid-July and am writing with some anxiousness and hesitation about this new venture.

With the countries elections going to take place in October and with me moving to an area who supports the candidate with anti-immigrant policies, I am understandably uneasy about moving there. In addition, the conflict in the Middle East does not make things easy for me as I enter the Institute with much hurt in my heart stemming from the loss of life and devastation of people homes and source of livelihood.  With all this negativity in the world around us, Franciscan philosophy is truly a life saver as it speaks of relationships and mutuality, freedom, recognition and respect for the individual as well as limitation of the human being especially in regards to sin; all in the context of a loving Almighty.

I was reminded quite a while ago, what it means to be a Franciscan by a fellow postulant at the breakfast table in Silver Spring, MD, i.e. to be brothers. That message stuck with me from my postulancy until the very day I am typing up this letter. To be a brother in a friary seems to demand a mutual relationship and understanding. In other words, to live in a community of love. We are called to be obedient through the examination of the free will given to us by God, to live in poverty by reflecting on the richness of our lives, the lives of others and the many gifts God bestows on us both individually and as a whole. Lastly, we examine chastity which may seem like we are called to inhibit ourselves and yet Jesus called us to go out and spread the good news to all corners of the globe, to all peoples and through the grace and love of the Father, Son and Spirit.

Recognition and respect seem to go without saying but there are so many of our brothers and sisters who are both in our silence and by out words both disrespected or fall through the cracks of society. Most commonly we aggregate all these people and call them terms like the poor, degenerates, thieves, criminals, illegals, physically/ mentally handicapped, those people or those who are not like us, etc. More often than not our eyes can easily spot the creative differences of the creator but rather than celebrate this, we point fingers and drive them away from us. If we are to recognize that we are all built in God’s image and likeness then who can be disrespectful to the handmaid of God?

We know that God is an unlimited being that is to say nothing and none is greater, wiser, mightier, richer, or more powerful than the triune God. Hence anything that God created is not equal to God and possesses a limitation or weakness to themselves. We all know the line; to err is to be human. Truly we are not perfect beings as God. We fall and make mistakes, we do bad things, we get jealous over another’s beauty, skill or possession. God knows that we are imperfect and limited. God knows that we as children, seek guidance and hope from a truly loving God. The incarnation of Jesus, reminds all of us sinners, that God came to heal not to harm, to love not to hate and to forgive not to punish those who will trust in His ways and follow His path. God created all of us to come together and be there for one another in our moments of weakness so that together we can be strong and be a shining example of God’s love throughout the known universe.

Five years ago, Br. Keith suggested that I take a look at being the caretaker of the Franciscan documents and other media for the Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure. I hope that this letter reminds you of the start of your ministerial journey as a Friar, all the challenges you went through to get where you are today and a friendly reminder that even in your moments of despair, be kind to yourself and things will get better as time progresses.

Pax et Bonum

[brianofm]

Sinners Beware!!!!

God loves you mucho :)

[brianofm]

A video on an aspect of nature not known during the time of Saint Francis for Natural Philosophy

[brianofm]

How do I understand the term economics?

At the beginning of the week, I defined economics as a system of trade based on the exchange of goods and services. While that answer is correct from an economics perspectice, our class dove deeper into the effects on the human person and the community. On Friday when I was asked the same questions I reflected on the richness of peoples not only around me but throughout the globe. Our economy should be focussed on the richness of the individual versus objects. To that end once wwe discover the richness that each person possesses we should strive to move away from themonetary value of a person to the richness that the community possesses from their hearts, minds and skills. This richness moves us away from being selfish and blocked off to being free and available to others. This creates an economy of gratitude and gratuity as we exchange not notes but the gifts within each community. This leads to the broader good or common good for all, rather than some with and even more without.

[brianofm]

Franciscan Way of Knowing ~ Day 4

God as Father

Perfect trinity simple unity

What had seemed bitter to me was turned into sweetness of soul and body - St. Francis

HE WHO IS. I AM WHO AM

God is good, timeless.

[brianofm]

Franciscan Way of Knowing ~ Day 3

How do we come to know another person?

Through our senses, mind, commonness, past history, attraction of mind, body and heart, communication, honesty and openness.

The eye of reason, light, in the present, pg 73 of Into God

In our mind where the divine image shines brilliantly.

[brianofm]

Franciscan Way of Knowing ~ Day 2

Christoform - All of creation has life in Him, through Him and with Him.

Haecceitas points to the individuality at the core of each thing - it’s very being.

Things are God-like in their specificity.

What are the three classes of objects on page 49 of Into God?

All things knowable have their own appearance pg 55

[brianofm]

Franciscan Way of Knowing ~ Day 1

A couple latin words jumped out for me which included ordo intentions and ordo executionis. The idea of being co-lovers is something I had not processed before but it sounds like a lovely notion when we consider our relationship with God. It was also interesting to learn about conception which contains our abstracts and observations of the things around us.

The notion of Christification is something that stuck out to me. The way we can grow closer to God is by realizing our imago Christi. That is to say that we find our way to heaven by discovering and celebrating the person that God created in oneself and in others. It is with this vision, or opening of our eyes to the beauty of creation that we can truly find all the joys, hope, love and care for our brothers and sisters and certainly with God the maker of all good things. The haecceity of our lives and that of all creation draws us to contemplate and uncover things we did not know about ourselves and by doing so open ourselves in ways that we never thought possible to the world around us.

One question I would have based on the readings is on page 141 where it states that God’s actions are not reactive. In a general sense this seems to contradict a number of instances from the Old Testament however in the given context of the incarnation, this requires no further   explanation. The reason this statement raises alarms for me is because it limits how we can relate with God since God’s actions are pre-set and unchangeable. It restricts or better yet limits the hope and free will of all human creation. I don’t deny that God's initiative isn't crucial, however as co-lovers I feel that we are both called to be open to act both intuitively and reactively based on the situation that arises.

How does Scotus address the notion of original sin if God created us out of His goodness and desire for all that is good?

[brianofm]

Natural Philosophy ~ Day 3

Bonaventure describes the created (natural) world as a book in which the Trinity shines forth and is represented at three levels of expression : a trace, an image and a likeness.

Every grain of sand, every star, every earthworm, reflects the Trinity as its origin, its reason for existance (purpose), and the end to which it is destined. The image of the creator is found in all human beings (Genesis 1:27). Finally, Bonaventure describes those humans conformed to God by grace, as likeness, since, through grace, they bear a likeness to God.

[brianofm]

Notations from chapters 2 & 3 of the Itinerarium

[brianofm]

Natural Philosophy ~ Day 2

Giraffe: Well known for their long necks, these gentle giants are the world’s tallest living land animals. It is so hard not to see the giraffeand not feel compelled to sit there and admire this beautiful and unique creation of God.

Clouds: Yes indeed those fluffly white things floating high above us. In my youth, I would imagine that the kingdom of heaven sat on top of these clouds. They carry moisture from the oceans over far distances in-land to hydrate the earth and provide us with life sustaining drinking water.

[brianofm]

Natural Philosophy ~ Day 1

The biggest take away from class today has to be on the subject of metanoia. Metanoia is defined as a change of a person's way of thinking. In class it was also said that metanoia can be seen as someone doing an about turn. Sometimes when life takes you to a place that is so dark and difficult, it helps that one can trace their steps back and return to a time of calmness and clarity where they can take the first step in a new direction.

Perhaps one question to ponder on is; is sin so bitter? In class, we talked about sin being bitter and goodness as sweet. The bitterness for St. Francis was the disgust he held in his mind and heart for people suffering from leprosy. I put forward that when we look within oneself and reflect on the bitterness, fears, hurts and worries; that this is a first step on the road of metanoia and towards sweetness as Saint Francis put it.

[brianofm]

Ethics

[brianofm]

Brian's Philosophical Reflection

Pax et Bonum is the motto of the Franciscan order and also the driving force behind my call to be a Franciscan friar. While I was reflecting on a recent significant event in my life, I was drawn back to my days volunteering at Saint Francis Inn in Philadelphia. Back then, I served people suffering from poverty and hunger with food, medicine, clothing and everyday basic essentials like soap, toothpaste and more. Working hand in hand was a group of lay and religious individuals, both men and women. Among them was a group of recent graduates and aspiring Franciscan brothers. The four FVM’s as we called them consisted of one woman and three men. Being the only non-adults in the community, we developed a close bond of friendship. However, unlike my friends from the past, these four individuals took a role that not only supported me but celebrated me for who I was. They accepted me unconditionally just the way I am and rejoiced every time I was in their midst. This kind of love was quite unique and touched my heart in a manner unlike any other instance in the past or since. The love I received from the FVM’s stirred something in my heart and led me on a new journey in my life.

Before I address this life changing moment, I wish to bring forth the reality I lived to this point. From as far back as I remember, I was told that I must follow the guidance put forth by my parents, teachers and those in authority. Any sense of individuality was suppressed and seen as being undisciplined. A major part of my early formative years was based upon following the rules. Growing up in the Middle East was difficult, as being a minority and of lower status in society meant that I grew up under the shelter and protection of my family. Acceptance and unquestioned following of the rules meant safety and survival. For almost all my life, I was challenged to grow, disciplined to follow and restricted in the things I could do. With all this happening, my individuality, desires and personal life goals were suppressed. Peace and all good were things I longed for and I continued to exhibit these past behaviors all the way till the beginning of my time in the Brother’s Walking Together (BWT) program.

Starting off in my BWT year, I felt that the closer connection that I have been seeking for, (i.e., peace and good) was not an external journey but one that starts from within. I sensed that in order to build a closer connection with God, I had to begin this journey of self-discovery. It was though this deeper sense of and the ecstatic appreciation for oneself that I could at last begin to appreciate the person that God created me to be which would finally guide me on the path of the Franciscan motto and someday into God’s heavenly kingdom. All this time I strongly believed that by denying myself and working solely for the benefit of others; I would achieve perfect goodness and everlasting joy, however, I have come to a new realization that by accepting who I am, both good and bad; that I will finally encounter a more wholesome understanding not just of myself but of all the brothers and sisters God gave me. I recognize that I am in the early stages of the 2nd philosophical activity, namely growth as an individual; which includes the awareness and acceptance of oneself, but I know that this is where God is leading me and thus I strive towards the goal of peace, joy and unity with God with great enthusiasm.

[brianofm]

On the Journey

[brianofm]

Notes from Week 1