“I, Brother Francis, wish to follow after the life and poverty of our highest Lord Jesus Christand of His holy mother, and I will hold out in this to the last.” – St. Francis of Assisi
WORK
“God our Father, creator and ruler of the universe, in every age you call man to develop and use his gifts for the good of others. With St Joseph as our example and guide, help us to do the work You have asked and come to the rewards You have promised.” – Opening Prayer, Feast of St. Joseph the Worker
Transitus Oblates are to esteem work both as a duty and a gift, understanding work is not an end in itself but a sharing in the “hidden life” of Jesus Christ––the son of a carpenter––and a participation in the creation, service, and redemption of the human community. Work, imposed on man as a penalty, is transformed into a blessing through his communion with the life, work, and redemptive sacrifice of Jesus Christ––with St. Joseph (the foster father of Jesus) as model and patron.
Oblates should do their work faithfully and devotedly so that––avoiding idleness, the enemy of the soul––they do not extinguish the Spirit of holy prayer and devotion to which all other things of our earthly existence must contribute. For it is written, “If anyone does not want to work, he should not eat.” Nevertheless, Oblates should not work for food that perishes but for food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give them. “Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive an inheritance as your due reward; be slaves of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
As payment for their work, Oblates should seek to receive whatever is necessary for their own bodily and spiritual needs, and of those under their care, but they should live humbly as is fitting for servants of God and followers of most holy poverty. The character and value of work derive not from its economic worth or even one’s duty to provide for one’s own needs, but rather from the very purpose and end it serves. Therefore, work that is most helpful to the formation, perfection, and salvation of souls is to be placed in highest esteem and is the ideal to be sought by all.
Oblates should seek employment that best protects and nourishes their own interior life and apostolate; yet each must humbly and joyously utilize their natural talents and spiritual gifts in the field of work God has called them, seeing it as it’s own “school of perfection” and mission field. They should seek always to put their talents, gifts, and resources at the service of others, especially toward the ministry of the Church for the benefit of their fellow Christians and Oblates, and evangelization for the salvation of souls.
MONEY“I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you.” – Acts 3:6
Transitus Oblates are to provide for their own material needs and those under their care, considering that “whoever does not provide for relatives and especially family members has denied the Faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” However, Oblates are not to use the duty to provide for one’s family as a mask for the selfish pursuit of wealth, pleasure and status.
Oblates should also be willing to provide for others with material needs, especially their fellow Oblates and their brothers and sisters in Christ. Let the strong care for the weak, and the weak respect the strong. Let the wealthy assist the poor, and the poor man thank God for giving him someone to supply his needs. For the rich exist for the sake of the poor, and the poor exist for the salvation of the rich.
Oblates are to welcome Christ in the economic and spiritually poor, ministering to them as serving Christ Himself. “Amen, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me. What you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me. And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Oblates are not to set their heart on riches even when they increase. For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Their life should be free from the love of money and they should be content with what they have, asking neither for poverty nor riches. For God has said, “I will never forsake you or abandon you. Thus we may say with confidence: The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me? “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.”
Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the Faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs. But as for you, dear children of God, shun all this: aim at righteousness, godliness, faith, steadfastness, gentleness, and above all things, love. We cannot serve God and mammon. For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
POSSESSIONS“Who is Jesus Christ for all the different continents of the world, for all the different societies, traditions, cultures, political structures? He is in every way a reproach to affluent, acquisitive consumer societies.” – Pope John II
In all things Oblates are to avoid extremes in cost and style, freeing themselves from all that would hinder or weaken their union with God and love of neighbor by simplifying their own unnecessary material needs and debt. For every one who has, in Jesus’ name, left house or family or lands for the kingdom of God's sake and for the Gospel, will receive a hundredfold––though with persecutions––and will inherit eternal life.
Oblates should endeavor to move from materialism and consumerism––which exploit the created world and violate the dignity of men––to a life that proclaims God the Father as the Creator of all, and Source of all, as our common kinship with creation and our fellow man as created in God’s image. For if we are afraid to strip ourselves of our worldly possessions, then we are unfit to make a strong defense of the Faith.
Trusting His heavenly Father, Jesus chose for Himself, His mother, and earthly father a poor humble life even though He valued created things attentively and lovingly. Therefore if Oblates have food, shelter, clothing, and the necessities to live the Christian life, with these they should be content. For we brought nothing into the world and we cannot take anything out of it.
Our possessions are not our own. God has given them to us that we may cultivate them, and it is His will that we should render them useful and fruitful. As faithful stewards, Oblates should only retain use of things that allow for the practical necessities of living in the world and that enable their love and service to God and neighbor in accordance to their Christian vocation and mission. By our care thereof we render to Our Lord an acceptable service. “If therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth?”
Oblates are exhorted not to look down or pass judgment on those people whom they seeing wearing clothing or living a lifestyle contrary to the Rule of Faith. Let them instead examine their own hearts, and let each criticize their own lack of charity.
CONCLUSION
“In the matter of piety, poverty serves us better than wealth, and work better than idleness, especially since wealth becomes an obstacle even for those who do not devote themselves to it. Yet when we must put aside our wrath, quench our envy, soften our anger, offer our prayers, and show a disposition that is reasonable, mild, kindly, and loving, how could poverty stand in our way? For we accomplish these things not by spending money but by making the correct choice. Almsgiving above all else requires money, but even this shines with a brighter luster when the alms are given from our poverty. The widow who paid in the two mites was poorer than any human, but she outdid them all.” – St. John Chrysostom