Soehner

When I entered candidacy in the Franciscan community, my father saw one of the Franciscan houses and said, "If this is poverty, bring on chastity!"  The joke was funny in the context of a Franciscan seminary with a swimming pool, but surprising from my Dad.  But he had a point.  Poverty cannot simply be something that we keep inside ourselves spiritually, but has a real outward experience as well. Vowed poverty can be a catalyst for deepening spiritual life. Poverty cannot simply be something that we keep inside ourselves spiritually, but live as a real outward experience as well.

Poverty as a vow is a way to deal with an ancient lie about our happiness: "If I just have these earthly riches, then I will be happy." This kind of security is false, for even when people have millions, they still seek more. As a Franciscan vowed to poverty, that is, to live with nothing of my own, I find security and happiness in the Lord and our brotherhood. Jesus is all our riches.  Jesus is enough for me. I don't have to keep looking for security in the "things of the world." In my poverty I recognize my own limitations and sinfulness, and my neediness to receive all things from God. God wants us to be happy. Real happiness is found in a life given over to God, not in possessing things or people or titles. Vowed Gospel poverty is joyful and gentle. There is a renunciation of the natural right to have my own way with money. All the brothers work. Some are paid.  From that joined income we try to live simply and take care of the older brothers and poor people.  In consultation with our minister (superior) we determine a budget that permits simple living.  In poverty we live dependent on each other and on God.  Without property, the spiritual life can be invigorating!