What is Mine to Do

“I have done what is mine to do. May Christ teach you what is yours.”

This classic Franciscan quote has been a near-constant mantra for me in my ministry. 

In my role at FAN, there are many, many, many things that I could do, and I often feel pulled in many directions, especially with the state of the world right now. There is so much need right now, and there are a lot of things that I/FAN could do to respond. However, I am constantly asking myself, “What is mine/FAN’s to do?” While not always the easiest, figuring out what is ours to do is the only way we can get through. I know that mine to do includes bringing the Franciscan sense of love and justice into whatever I do, whether that’s meetings with our various partners and lawmakers, educating our network, connecting with them, connecting them to the many resources out there right now, or anything else I may be involved in.

I think I can safely say that something that is the Franciscan family’s to do is to show up. Show up for our immigrant brothers and sisters who are being persecuted right now. Show up for the communities being disproportionately affected by climate change. Show up for those who are struggling economically. These, among other things, are things Franciscans have been doing for centuries, and it is time to do it in a whole new way. 

With everything that is going on, with the amount of suffering, and the massive need for resistance, it is very easy to get burnt out. However, I am reminded by a quote from Audre Lorde: “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare”. While rest and taking care of oneself can feel like it’s taking away from action or work, it is the only way to continue doing that work. My Casa community has helped a lot in my self care. Whether it’s doing yoga with me in the living room, letting me ramble during dinner, or taking care of the products of my baking sessions. While all of us have different ministry sites, all of us have felt stressed and dealt with burn out, which allows us to be compassionate to and be there for each other. My FAN and broader advocacy communities have also been a significant source of encouragement, support, & inspiration. They are great reminders that no one is in this alone, and are great role models and teachers in this work. 

Although I wasn’t sure at first, my work at FAN is mine to do. I have been called to work and speak for those who can’t do it for themselves. Therefore, I will continue to do so for as long as I can, and because of my communities, I will be strengthened in that work. I will close with a prayer that is a favorite of mine. I learned it on my middle school basketball team, but it has become and will be even more relevant as I’ve gotten older:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

The courage to change the things that I can,

And the wisdom to know the difference.

Amen

Question for Reflection: What kind of work or service do you consider “yours to do?”