The afternoon session on September 4th was dedicated to reflection on Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC). Presenting the theme was the delegate of the General Minister of the Friars Minor Conventual for JPIC, Br. Michael Joseph Lasky. To introduce the theme, Br. Michael described JPIC as “the most misunderstood acronym in the Church,” precisely because the words that comprise it – for example, “peace” and “justice” – are often seen “as something that is only related to political or economic movements rather than moral issues that affect us all.”
Starting from Francis’ encounter with the leper, Brother Michael made a rereading of the Poverello’s story, pointing out that that encounter triggered a profound change in Francis’ own heart, so radical and lasting, that it led him “to a change of DNA” (cf. Testament, 1). In Francis’ time, nature, but also people, were often seen as something to be dominated, and he was a child of his time; the change of perspective led him to recognize that there is a trace of the Creator in them. Hence the consequence: he called himself and his community “friars minor.” Delving into the heart of the matter, our Conventual brother then considered each individual term of the JPIC acronym. “Justice.” Starting from the popular expression “justice is blind,” he emphasized, instead, the importance of being able to look at life, and at others, with the eyes of the heart, to recognize their value; in this way one promotes their dignity, with concrete attitudes and gestures of solidarity toward those in suffering and in need. One thus assumes the same sentiments as Christ.
“Peace.” It is not just an absence of conflict, but a life orientation that recognizes the dynamic way in which God’s kingdom unfolds in our lives, welcomes it, makes it its own and communicates it to others. From this, one can overcome his/her fears, at various levels, which thus gives way to hope, to a fullness of shared goodness, to shalom. The third term: “the integrity of creation”. Brother Michael began with a slogan: “creation contains our stories; at the same time our brothers, the mountains and rivers, have their own stories”. “Our stories”, our biographies, are marked by creation, by the environment and by the places where we have lived. Recounting our stories, that is, knowing how to reframe all these connections, opens one to a close look at creation, God’s work. Creation connects us to one another (we all share the same common home) and to the incarnate Christ.
Brother Michael also presented a trait of St. Clare’s spiritual experience, centered on prayer, highlighting 4 elements that can nourish our Franciscan DNA. They are: gazing at Christ, starting from the cross (hence the heart opens to see the Crucified in history); considering one’s relationship with the Lord, and the desire to deepen it (hence the beauty of relationships, of friendships); contemplating the love of God manifested in weakness (hence knowing how to see others for who they are); imitating Christ’s action (hence the proclamation of peace). Concluding his presentation, Brother Michael gave some concrete examples, first taken from the biography of St. Francis and then from current events: dramatic incidents, situations of poverty, actions taken by friars in situations of need drawn from various parts of the world, etc. Finally, there was a brief period of discussion for further insight and clarification.
