TRAVELS OF TOTAL PROVIDENCE...
TRAVELS OF TOTAL PROVIDENCE Without “staff” but with the –staff- of the –Cross- ( the journey, represents for us one of the many Ways of the Cross in life ! )
Why be these types of travels ?
[ the Pope Ratzinger says: << The Spirit of Pentecost brings with it a vigorous push to assume the commitment of the mission to testify the Gospel on the streets of the world ! >> ( Cf. the Roman Observer , 15 November 2006 )
The Spirit then said to Philip ( and also to friar Giuseppe ): “Go forward and reach that carriage”. Philip ran ahead and, heard read…he told him: “ Do you understand what you are reading ?” He answered: "And how could I, if no one instructs me ?” So he invited Philip to rise up and sit beside him… ( cf Act 8, 29-31 ) ]
SO THEN, IN REGARDS TO OUR TRAVELS, LIKE SUCH IT BE WRITTEN IN OUR LITTLE RULE :
When we go travelling, we’ll never say: « This or that person could help us or, we could “lean” on this or that community » ; but we trust only in GOD, and He will make us find - always - someone willing to help us. This is the meaning of not taking "the staff" with you. In fact JESUS says: « Do not take anything for the trip, " neither staff ", nor haversack (Cf. Mt 10, 10), nor bread, " nor money " and not two tunics each....» (nor the under ware of change) nothing ! ( Cf. Lk 9,3). ( All the more if it is necessary ) Only the sleeping bag ( even better, if not brought ! ) with the (necessary) books of prayer (Cf. Lk 22,36) and spiritual seeds (-fliers and brochures – Cf. Ps 125, 6).
If not doing like this, you cannot experience ( ever the fullness of - ) the Divine Providence and the full joy of the heart. In fact JESUS ordered them that: « besides the "staff" (of the CROSS), not to take anything for the trip: neither bread, nor haversack, nor money... but, only wear sandals, not wearing 2 tunics...». (Mk 6,8)
For food Jesus said: “What ever house you enter, let your first word be: - Peace to this house –. And if a son of peace lives there, your peace will rest on him, if not it will come back to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking of what they have to offer, for the labourer deserves his wages. Do not move from house to house. When you enter a town where they welcome you, eat what is put before you, treat the sick ( above all those in spirit ) that you find there" ( Lk 10, 1-9 ). So then, do not worry about food or drink or sleep or clothes, it is the people of the world, that worry about these things (those who don't believe). Your Father knows well that you need them ( Cf. Lk 12, 22-31 ). So, doing in this way, we "little friars", will always be needy in all places, so that very many people can do lots of good deals, and save their own souls ( otherwise ) directed towards the eternal hell. In fact * JESUS * at the end of the times, will say (in a certain way like this,) to these people putting them at his right:
“ Come BLESSED by my FATHER... because I was... needy, and you helped me with true heart ". So then (also) these people (in a curtain way) will respond: “ But when Lord have we helped… with (true) heart?... and JESUS will answer them: " all that you have done to the most- little of my brothers, - you did it to me ! " ( Cf. Mt 25,31-46 ). So - my little brothers -, I hope you have understood the meaning of our mission. In poor words our mission is this: * to set off lots of good deals to people who will do it for LOVE of JESUS and MARY; and above all is, to humble our life; ( Cf. Rev 12, 11; Mt 16,25 ) so that the others will be able to reflect that, this is not the life, but only the test.* ( Cf. Dt 8, 2-3; Acts 17, 27; 1 Pt 1, 6-7 )
IN REGARDS TO THE BEHAVIOR THAT NEEDS TO BE MAINTAINED IN TRAVELS, AMONGST BROTHERS AND SISTERS, OR ETC.. "OBEYING THE GOOD SENSE"
In regards then, to the behaviour in travels, already described in our little Rule, since we are a mixed community but clearly separated in residences, and since we often travel by hitch hike, yes, for such a motive, we can move in the following and varied ways:
WHEN ONE IS IN VOYAGES ALONE
When for necessity we are alone, according to the suggestion narrated to us in the Acts of the Apostles, we can move by foot, or by hitch hiking, or if someone voluntary offers, by the train carriage; a little like the Apostle Phillip to whom the Spirit said: << Go on and reach that carriage >>. (Cf. Ac 8,29)
Always in this case, with regards to the sisters on the other hand, avoid, in the limits of what is possible travelling alone; choosing in such cases the case of the train carriage or something similar, as for example a pious family that possibly accompanies her up to the destination, or to another pious family, that according to the advice of the Apostle St. John, will provide for the rest of his trip, as in fact he himself says: << You will do a good act to provide them in the trip in a way worthy of God, because it was for love of the Name of Christ they departed>> (3Jn,6-7); yes, in such case or like, or something of the kind that can however, greatly draw us near to the Blessed Prudence of our Mummy Mary, to which we often say: <>. All this can be intended, only in cases of emergency or tight necessity, since the Lord himself says: << Where two or more meet in my Name, I am amongst them >>. (Cf. Mt 18,20)
WHEN THERE’S TWO OR MORE IN THE VOYAGES*
In regards then, to the previous discourse, since we are a mixed community, and since for the most major part of the time we travel by hitchhiking (as advised in pg. 10,11,12,13, of our little Rule V.V.), one can depart, other than two by two, like one of the best ways advised to us by the Lord (Cf. Lk 10,1), also according to the cases, or in two brothers and a sister as following pious woman, or in two sisters and a brother as Guardian angel that accompanies them, since the Lord says: <> (Ba 6,6), and since the Apostle explains: <> (Gal 4,14 B), and also since Tobit said: <> (Tb 5,17).
But always within the limits of what is possible, of the two (mixed cases), it would be better the first case (of brothers and sisters, that would seem to be one of the best ways, and amongst the most luminous, advised to us by the Lord, given), that it draws nearer ( to the style of Jesus – Cf. Jn 2, 12 - than to that of the Apostles – Cf. Mc 6,7 - or rather ) to the following Evangelical suggestion, that in regards to the Lord and those of his ( when they travelled to preach ), saying: << He made his way through towns and villages, preaching and announcing the good news of the Kingdom of God. With him were the twelve and as well as curtain women>> (Lk 8, 1-2). ( Cf. Jn2,12 )
So then, if in some cases there is the possibility to also Live Perfectly also this Evangelical pass ( or rather, in many brothers and certain sisters V.V. ) so let it be welcomed, so that the Bread becomes even whiter !
WHEN IN VOYAGE, SEARCHING FOR HOSPITALITY
In regards then, to the daily reception during the trips, in all these cases, according to the suggestion of the Lord, they shall avoid sleeping outside, since he himself says: << In whatever city you enter, seek out some person worthy, and there remain until your departure>>. (Mt 10,12)
Yes, in the whatever city, or country or village we enter, according to the suggestion of the Lord that we have just heard, let's make a note before hand, if there is some Priest or Convent of friars or nuns, or some person or pious family, that for love of Jesus, is prepared to host us; and here (in these places) if welcomed, we do so ( for how much is possible ) in a manner as to stay for the night ( in different residences ), always totally separate; between brothers and sisters ! (ref chap. III°C from the 1st to 11th line ).
If then these, in rare cases, are unable to feed us, after having in one way or in an other joyfully evangelized, (what we are in need of) we happily go begging and, returning as soon as possible, - politely, silently and joyfully -, in these places of reception.
WHEN IN VOYAGE OR ETC.. ONE GOES BEGGING
In regards then, to this type of begging done for the love of Jesus, lets go often and gladly every time that we are in need, but << without ever having debts with anybody, and - of any type - ! >>, since also says the Apostle: << do not have any debts with anybody, if not that of a mutual Love; because who loves his similar has fulfilled the Law ! >> ( Rm 13,8 ) and this, if we are or we are or aren’t in voyage, and that is this type of begging ( with love ), to be done often and voluntary as a Good Testimony, other than for ourselves, so that we never forget that we are 'poors' of the Lord, since it is written:
<< Jesus from rich that he was, became poor, so to make rich many by means of his Poverty >> (Cf. 2Cor 8,9), it will also be a Good Testimony, for all those who see our Good Works advised to us by the Lord, so then to be able to make people Glorify better Our Father that is in Heaven, just as He himself teaches us when saying: << So must your light shine in peoples sight, so that seeing your Good Works they may give Glory to your Father that is in Heaven >>. (Mt 5,16)…
WHEN IN VOYAGE OR ETC.. THERE ONE IS TO EXPERIENCE THE PERFECT JOY !,
(OR THE TEST OF FRIENDSHIP…)
For what still regards to the case of the daily reception or etc.. that we have spoken of a little earlier, if something does not go as prescribed, as for example, instead of being welcomed we would be forced to sleep outside ( or in the same residence ) or etc.., then attentively listen to such Word of God, that we often meet in the liturgical breviary, and that is: << Remember as your Fathers were put to the test to see if indeed they feared their God. Remember how our father Abraham was tried, and as it was really through the test of many tribulations, that he became a friend of God. As was with Isaac, as was with Jacob, as was with Moses and all those that pleased to God were tried with a lot of tribulations, and maintained to be Faithful >>. (Cf. Jdt 8,26; volg 21 B -23)
So then, as explains the Apostle: << Consider it Perfect joy, my brothers, when you receive all kinds of tests, knowing that the test of your Faith produces patience. And patience completes its work in you, so that you become perfect and complete, without lacking anything >>. (Jm 1,2-4)
Yes, so we have to be patient, as has been explained by Judith and also St. James, and submit to all, including the State (of the Nation) in which we are found, as also St. Peter teaches us, with such a suggestion: << Be under submission to every human institution for the Love of the Lord: both be it the king as the supreme authority, or be it to the governors commissioned by him to punish the criminals and to reward those who do good. Because this is Gods Will: that, by doing good works you put to silence the mouth of the ignorant talk of fools >>. (1 Pt 2, 13-14)
Yes, as teaches us St. Peter, we have to serve the Lord, and have to be subdued to all, giving to the State what is of the State, but to God what belongs to God, since so says the Lord: << Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God ! >>. (Mk 12,17)
But it’s also clear that if Caesar told me for law: << Take up weapons and fight >>, I could no longer obey him, because the law of God that is Superior to all the laws, so commands me: << If some one strikes you the right cheek.. offer him the other as well >> (Mt 5,39) Amen !
THIS IS THE WAY WE MUST OBEY TO GOD AND TO THE CHURCH:
<< Saying this, my dearest most little brothers and most little sisters, In regards to totalitarian behaviour: << let’s remember always to Obey to God, through the Church, but let us above all never forget, that through the Church, we must obey to God ! >> ; as has been clearly described, in this whole Rule V.V., beginning from the "prologue", up to the chapter Omega, of the "Various Clarifications." Amen !
<< This is our Cross ! This is our Resurrection ! >> Amen !