Scribd
Upload
49 views5 pages

JPIC in Franciscan Spirituality

This document discusses the Franciscan spirituality of justice, peace, and integrity of creation (JPIC). It emphasizes that JPIC calls Franciscans to be attentive to the world, develop compassion for those suffering, and take charitable action for justice. JPIC is a dimension of the Franciscan charism that involves living Gospel values, discerning signs of life in the world, and collaborating with God's plan of life for all creation. The document provides exercises for learners to reflect on social injustices and ways to address them through youth leadership or personal action.

Uploaded by

PhielDaphine Nacionales
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
49 views5 pages

JPIC in Franciscan Spirituality

This document discusses the Franciscan spirituality of justice, peace, and integrity of creation (JPIC). It emphasizes that JPIC calls Franciscans to be attentive to the world, develop compassion for those suffering, and take charitable action for justice. JPIC is a dimension of the Franciscan charism that involves living Gospel values, discerning signs of life in the world, and collaborating with God's plan of life for all creation. The document provides exercises for learners to reflect on social injustices and ways to address them through youth leadership or personal action.

Uploaded by

PhielDaphine Nacionales
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

St.

Francis College
Pascual B. Gutay St., Sabang II
Allen, Northern Samar 6405

MODULE 4
JUSTICE, PEACE AND INTEGRITY OF CREATION -
JPIC
SESSION : WEEK 5
GRADE LEVEL : 12
LEARNING COMPETENCIES:

 The leaner will be able to demonstrate Franciscan spirituality


 Learners will be able to apply the values of JPIC

I. CONCEPT

JPIC IN FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY

ENTRY POINT

Enumerate at least 3 organizations in your school or in your community that promotes justice and
peace. Describe each organization.

1. Organization: ________________________________________________________________

Description:
________________________________________________________________________________

2. Organization: ________________________________________________________________

Description:
________________________________________________________________________________
THE SPIRITUALITY OF JUSTICE AND PEACE

Paul VI said that the mission of Justice and Peace is that of “keeping the eyes of the Church open,
its heart sensitive and its hand prepared for the work of charity which it is called upon to realize in
the world.” This phrase helps us understand the spirituality of JPIC.

EYES OPEN

Yes, and our ears as well, so we might be truly present to the world. We are called to be attentive to
what is happening around us, to hear the cries of the world in which we live and to see life with the
eyes of God. We are called to take note of the action of the Spirit in our world, and listen to the calls
we receive from the world around us so as to collaborate with this action of the Spirit. We are called
to be like our God, who is attentive and present to all of life and creation.

And we are all aware of those with whom Jesus generally walked: the poor, the marginalized, those
whom the system did not want to survive, to possess things or to be empowered. This is the kénosis
of Jesus, his self-emptying, which we hear about in the letter to the Philippians. Franciscan minority
is based on this kind of God. Minority is the Franciscan perspective from which to view reality, to
judge it critically, and to participate in it. It is the reality of those who are preferred by Jesus and
Francis: the poor, the destitute, the defenseless (cf. GGCC 97,2; RFF 143; 162; 180).

A SENSITIVE HEART

The work of seeing, becoming acquainted with and getting to know the reality and the suffering of
the poor is not something indifferent, done from a distance or a desk. For the knowledge of
suffering to move us to work for its elimination, it must have an effect upon us, it must reach down
to the depths of our being, to the heart, and move us to compassion. We truly know only that which
we endure or, better still, that which is shared suffering.

For the Christian the only genuine knowledge is that which moves us to compassion. In order to
maintain sensitivity of heart and to keep compassion alive it is necessary to be in contact with the
people who suffer and their problems. Our social status, our dwelling and our life style can
condition to a great extent our view of reality, even to the point of preventing our seeing it and
causing us to deserve the reproach of Jesus to his disciples:

A HAND READY FOR THE WORKS OF CHARITY

Charity is the love of God which we are called to make present in the world. Welcoming and
experiencing God who is love prompts us to place the love of God and of people at the center of our
Christian lives. As noted in the First Letter of John, love of neighbor is a sign of the love of God.
This charity or love, understood as a relationship of fraternity and solidarity among people, strives
to make the “other” or “others” greater, to help them possess life more fully and ever more
abundantly.

JPIC IN FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY

Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation – JPIC

The values of JPIC have been present in the Franciscan Order since its beginning because they are
values of the spirituality of St. Francis. But it is only since Vatican II that the Order has come to
understand them in the more contemporary sense, as a dimension of social reality.

JPIC is a dimension of our charism, a way of life and mission to understand the structures of JPIC
in the Order it is essential once again to recall that Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation are,
above all, values; they are a spirituality. JPIC arises from a spirituality centered in God’s plan of
LIFE for all creation, and we are invited to collaborate in this project.

It is nourished by discovery of the compassionate and merciful face of the God of Jesus. This God
is revealed in history and encountered in the reality of the people and things around us. It blossoms
from a desire to follow Jesus with compassion, in a world that is unjust, broken and violent. It arises
from the need to discern the signs of life that the Spirit is birthing today.

While this is true for Christians in general, for us as Franciscans JPIC is an element
and dimension of our charism: “The friars as followers of St. Francis, are bound to lead a radically
evangelical life, namely; to live in a spirit of prayer and devotion and in fraternal fellowship. They
are to offer a witness of penance and minority; and in charity towards all mankind. They are to
announce the Gospel throughout the whole world and to preach reconciliation, peace and justice by
their deeds and to show respect for creation. It is an essential dimension of our vocation, like prayer,
fraternity, minority and evangelization.

JPIC is a way of life and mission; through it we are challenged by the great issues of humanity and
committed to the cause of all people, that all might live with dignity. Thus, JPIC embraces all our
life. It is a central axis which passes through all the dimensions of our religious and Franciscan life.

EXERCISE # 1

Imagine yourself as a youth leader. What are the different activities that you are going to implement
to help the poor in your community? Enumerate and explain at least five.

1.) ___________________________________.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

2.) ___________________________________.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

3.) ____________________________________.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

4.) ____________________________________.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

5.) ____________________________________.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

EXERCISE # 2

1.) What do you think is the biggest Social injustice today and why?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

2.) What do you think is the best solution to address this problem?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
3.) As a Christian, do you agree that the church in general must be involved in addressing this social
injustice?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
4.) Do you think the government can solve this issue anytime soon? Why/ why not?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

5.) As a student, what can you do to help in solving the social injustices of our time?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

Common questions

Powered by AI

The concept of JPIC in Franciscan spirituality emphasizes being truly present to the world by seeing life with the eyes of God, which includes being attentive to the needs and suffering of marginalized communities . This attention to marginalized groups stems from the Franciscan perspective of minority, wherein the focus is on those who are poor, destitute, and defenseless, embodying the kénosis of Jesus, his self-emptying and preference for the marginalized . It aligns with the mission of Justice and Peace—to keep the church attentive and compassionate towards those less privileged, echoing a commitment to service and solidarity with the marginalized .

The values of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) have always been central to Franciscan spirituality, but they were understood in a more contemporary sense as a dimension of social reality only after Vatican II . This integration post-Vatican II has led to a deeper understanding of JPIC as essential elements of the Franciscan charism and mission. JPIC is seen as fundamental to living a life of prayer, fraternity, minority, and evangelization, all of which are intrinsic to the Franciscan vocation . The Order calls for preaching reconciliation and justice not just through words but through deeds, embracing JPIC as a mission to address significant human issues and uphold the dignity of all people .

The principles of JPIC can be incorporated into everyday life by fostering a consistent commitment to justice, peace, and care for creation. This involves being attentive to the needs and cries around us, promoting equitable and sustainable actions, and living in a way that reflects solidarity with all of creation . It calls for making conscious choices that reflect compassion and justice, encouraging daily practices of reflection, engagement with community, and advocacy for systemic change. Living out JPIC is about integrating these values into personal actions and interactions to reflect a lifestyle committed to these spiritual principles .

The concept of minority in Franciscan spirituality emphasizes humility and solidarity with the marginalized, forming a core perspective for engaging with social justice issues. It serves as a lens through which reality is critically viewed and engaged, prioritizing those preferred by Jesus, such as the poor and defenseless . This stance involves assuming a lesser status voluntarily to better serve others and engage with social justice from a standpoint of empathy and service, rather than authority or dominance . It challenges Franciscans to act in ways that uplift and empower marginalized communities .

Critical components of maintaining a 'sensitive heart' towards the poor in Franciscan spirituality include direct engagement and empathy with the suffering of others. It requires not only seeing and acknowledging their suffering but allowing that experience to affect us deeply, moving us to compassion . Authentic knowledge comes from shared suffering, emphasizing that true understanding and compassion arise from personal connection and empathy with those who are suffering. It also involves living in solidarity with the poor to genuinely perceive their reality, unhindered by personal social status or lifestyle .

The Franciscan understanding of charity transforms conventional views by emphasizing relationships rooted in fraternity and solidarity rather than mere transactional assistance. This perspective encourages viewing charitable actions as means to enhance life and dignity, fostering deeper connections and empowerment rather than dependency . It recasts charity as a holistic and reciprocal interaction, focused on profound solidarity that uplifts both giver and receiver, aligning charitable practices with spiritual and social transformation goals . Engaging in charity thus becomes a participatory act, geared towards mutual growth and recognizing shared humanity .

Challenges in living out the Franciscan mandate include societal resistance to change, personal biases or constraints, and institutional limitations. Addressing these challenges requires fostering personal growth through reflection and empathy, building community support, and actively engaging in dialogue and advocacy initiatives to challenge and transform unjust structures . It also involves resilience and creativity in the face of obstacles and requires cultivating a strong spiritual foundation to sustain commitment to peace and reconciliation through practical actions, thereby fostering greater acceptance and understanding .

Paul VI articulated the Church's mission in justice and peace as keeping its eyes, heart, and hands ready for compassionate action. This concept aligns closely with JPIC values in Franciscan spirituality, emphasizing attentiveness to the world, sensitivity to suffering, and readiness to enact love through charity . These practices are essential in living out the values of justice, peace, and integrity of creation as a continuous mission, encouraging active participation in the transformation of unjust structures and fostering diverse connections rooted in compassion and fraternity .

Students can contribute to addressing social injustices by engaging in community service projects that directly assist those impacted by injustices, such as food drives or tutoring programs . They can also participate in advocacy and awareness campaigns to educate peers on social justice issues, foster dialogue on campus, and support policy changes. Additionally, students can collaborate with local or school organizations that focus on justice and peace to create inclusive environments, ensuring that they use their voices and actions to foster systemic change and embody JPIC values daily .

In Franciscan JPIC practices, 'a hand ready for works of charity' manifests through acts that embody love of God and neighbor. This readiness involves placing God's love and human fraternity at the heart of life, aiming to foster relationships of solidarity . Practical acts include service and advocacy for the underprivileged, promoting conditions that ensure human dignity and well being, and engaging in concrete actions that reflect love and brotherhood, striving to enhance life for others and address societal inequalities .

You might also like