Br. Thomas Joseph, CFR on:

LAY BROTHERHOOD AND COMMUNITY

The fraternal life of a lay brother finds its origin and meaning in Jesus Christ. By virtue of His incarnation Jesus has revealed the truth of human relationships, the true essence of what it means to be "family": truly fraternal. The religious life is a fruit of the Incarnation and a visible sign of it. It is a path that is taken not as an end in itself, however; it is one way to eternal life. As a Franciscan lay brother, fraternity proves to be a true supporting family based on the love of God; a place to sacrifice one's own will thereby growing in holiness. Most especially, this happens trough the vow of obedience. This is a means of building up the Kingdom of God.

First of all a Franciscan community is a true family based in Christ. Living in the same place, sharing all things in common and also working side by side, together, day after day is the reality of our fraternity. Fraternal life is not a substitution for marriage; it is a sign of the kingdom of God and a true and sufficient call in itself. It is a place to grow in love of God and neighbor, drawing from the grace of God which is from the life of prayer, both communal and private. It is truly a family united in Christ having the same mind and heart regardless of the diversity of individuals or personalities. Of course finding itself in the world, the overall existence and goal of the brotherhood is always being of the kingdom of God and not something of the world.

Fraternity is also a place of denying oneself and taking up the cross to follow Christ. As the

Keeping in mind the essential role fraternal life has in religious life,all CFR's share in the cooking responsibilities. Fraternal charity is expressed in day to day living

fraternity proves to be a true family, it also proves to be a place of sacrifice and trial which purifies and sanctifies the soul. Obedience to lawful superiors and the personal living in anticipation of the needs of

the other brothers are great opportunities to love as Christ loved. The desire to be the lesser brother should be the ideal of the lay brother; being always mindful of others and being willing to serve them unconditionally. It should be a hidden life of austerity and poverty with no pretension. As he accepts daily the manifestation of God's will, the lay brother becomes fully conformed to the obedient, chaste, and poor Christ.

Finally, the lay brother is a builder of the Kingdom of God. The lay brother's main concern and duty is to live his consecration to God. By faithfully living this out; the

Brothers are gifted with an increased availability to all people. Serving as Porter is a traditional role brothers have always filled over the centuries. Br. Samuel thoughtfully assists all who call in for prayers, council or an answer to a question.

kingdom of God is witnessed to and helped to grow. The mere fact that he is "brother" to all people (not only to his brothers in the order), the Kingdom of God is built up by his efforts to be just that a "brother". In as much as he is faithful to his consecration, the more fruitful he will prove to be for the kingdom.

Lay brothers keep the home fires burning as they fill roles such as local superiors, porters, cooks, directors of apostolate's to the poor,

tailors, maintenance workers, counselors, etc. Lay brothers prove to be in a position to be available to fraternity and to the people they serve in a unique and special way as they are free from sacramental service and the obligations that it entails.