Kathleen Molaro, OFS
National YouFra Commission Chair
Kathleen Molaro, OFS National YouFra Commission Chair
Article 12 may be only one sentence long, but it offers a rich and powerful invitation: to witness to the good yet to come and to seek the purity of heart that frees us to love.
Because of the vocation we have chosen, we are called to “witness to the good yet to come” and are “obliged to acquire purity of heart.” Only by accepting these two challenges can we be set free to love God and our neighbors.
As we navigate daily life, it can be difficult to remember that our time on earth is temporary. The challenge of keeping our eyes on the kingdom—the good yet to come—can become obscured by our struggles, responsibilities, and human goals.
Attending to this challenge will lead us toward purity of heart, but it’s not easy. We must constantly turn back to God’s will, seek a conversion of heart that reminds us God is in charge, and remain aware of God’s presence—with gratitude and praise for His graces—all of which are necessary in our quest for holiness.
I once saw a T-shirt that said, “The one who dies with the most toys … still dies.” Our culture often measures success by the possessions we own. Of course, it is not only about “stuff.” We are tempted to judge success by asking, “Am I popular enough?” “Am I doing enough?” or “Am I perfect enough?” As followers of Christ in the footsteps of St. Francis, the question we should be asking is, “Am I loving enough?”
Pope Francis agrees. “There are those that have kingdoms in this world … goods and comforts. But only those who know how to love what is truly good, more than themselves, will have true power. The power to love.” (General Audience, Feb. 5, 2020.)
When we reflect on what to let go of to achieve purity of heart, we consider pride, envy, unforgiveness, a judgmental attitude, lack of trust or other vices as walls that separate us from our true calling. Spending time with this reflection, provides a meaningful examination of conscience in preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
“Am I loving enough?” That question always turns us back toward the freedom, humility, and love at the heart of our vocation.
OFS Rule Article 12
Witnessing to the good yet to come and obliged to acquire purity of heart because of the
vocation they have embraced, they should set themselves free to love God and their
brothers and sisters.
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