Laetitia

I’ve been reflecting on my latest formation class about what it means to be a secular Franciscan. I was particularly stuck by the way of differentiating us from the friars and Poor Clares, who are religious. Benet Fonck says that seculars are witnessing more the incarnation, while the religious are witnessing more the resurrection. In other words, the friars and Poor Clares focus on being a witness of the kingdom to come and encourage us to live our lives like we actually believed in the resurrection. Secular Franciscans, however, point to something different.  We point to God who is with is in creation, even in the ordinary things that people overlook. We show this because we understand that God is bent low in love for us. 

I suppose it is because I have naturally been more adept at being secular that I so easily make the connection between food and religion. 

In fact, I came up with a whole theology of the martini. I saw how each component could really teach some interesting lessons. Indeed, I went on about this theology to my Conventual friend a few months back and his wry response was: “I’m sure after a few martinis there is much more you could add….” 

Such a response hightlights for me why some of us have to be resurrection people and some of us have to be incarnation people, although both are needed.  I for one think it would be a bloody shame not to be able to find theological connections in something like a martini. I’m not sure this is what Benet Fonck had in mind exactly, but I think you understand my point. I think?

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