Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity were uplifted with the presence of young women discerning our way of life as consecrated women religious May 18-20, 2012. Given the 800th Anniversary of St. Clare's call to follow Jesus and become the first feminine follower of St. Francis is still very much alive in our hearts, retreatants focused on St. Clare's prayer: gazing, considering, contemplating so as to imitate Christ.
Friday evening's reflection time outdoors on the Motherhouse grounds and in St. Francis Chapel invited visitors to gaze in quiet attentiveness, open to the wonderful presence of God. These Scripture texts were considered for keeping one's eyes on Jesus alone:
Sunday all focused on the prayer of imitation. To imitate is not to mimic the behavior of another. Rather, St. Clare used the term as becoming the image of the God on whom she gazed. Imitation is transformation insofar as Christ comes alive in our lives. For St. Francis and St. Clare imitating Christ meant:
- Matthew 14:22-33 Peter
- John 2:1-12 Mary
- Mark 10:46-52 Blind Man
- Mark 1:40-42 A Leper
- Luke 9:28-36 The Transfiguration
- Luke 21:1-4 Poor Widow
- John 20:24-29 Thomas
- Luke 7:36-49 Sinful Woman
- John 21:1-4 Disciples
- John 4:7-26 Woman at the well
Sunday all focused on the prayer of imitation. To imitate is not to mimic the behavior of another. Rather, St. Clare used the term as becoming the image of the God on whom she gazed. Imitation is transformation insofar as Christ comes alive in our lives. For St. Francis and St. Clare imitating Christ meant:- Matthew 19:21 Sell all you have and give it to the poor.
- Luke 9:3 Take nothing for your journey.
- Matthew 16:24 If anyone come after me let him deny him/herself.
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