Living The Shared Life

Goal

To encourage members to live out the MFC covenant by participating in the life and mission of MFC.

Grab

What year did you first attend the CLS?

Grace

"Here, we have strong support for our Christian lives, as we respond to the call to holiness and mission. Here, we are given the opportunity to participate in serving others. Here, we continue to grow in the Lord through our life and mission."

-Frank Padilla, A Covenant With God.

The MFC Community has been a great gift to all of us. Some of us have been members for decades, some of us for a few years, maybe months, but it is undeniable that God is at work in our lives, and that He has given MFC to us as the means to make us holier, to draw us closer to Him. In the various formations of MFC, through the regular prayer meetings, through our service to our brethren, we are molded into becoming servant leaders. We give of ourselves not just in MFC, but in our day-to-day lives, as parents, spouses, co-workers and as men and women in society. MFC helps us to become the best version of ourselves.

The community gives us a chance to serve and love others. Many men and women have no avenue of service apart from their work; if we lack spiritual purpose, we might get burnt out or fall to serious sin. It is also unfortunately uncommon for women and men especially to have a desire to volunteer to serve in parishes or dioceses. MFC gives us a way to bring us out of ourselves, to think of more than just our spouse or our children. It gives us a bigger family, a community to care and look out for. More than that, it is a Christian community. We are held together by our faith in Jesus, and we look to Him as our salvation. Christ brings us together, transforms us and sends us out to love God and our neighbor. Through MFC, our virtues are practiced and our vices are slowly but surely purified. We might even encounter difficult people in MFC! To them too, are we given opportunities to show Christ's radical love, mercy and Christian charity.

"Without community support, we could easily backslide, or just stay where we are, not entering more deeply into our renewed life in Christ."

-Frank Padilla, A Covenant With God.

The MFC Community is also our safeguard. It cushions us from the attacks of the evil one. We can rely on our MFC Brothers and Sisters to be with us, to support us and pray for us whenever these spiritual challenges come. It is so easy to fall back and become part of the world again, even after becoming members of MFC, even for members who have been active for a long time. Which is why it is so important for us to build each other up and be proactive in strengthening each other's faith.

As MFC supports us and helps us grow in faith and service, so too are we called to support MFC through our time, talent and treasure. We give of ourselves so that others may live. We share what we have so that others, too, might encounter Christ as we have. As our relationship with God deepens, we grow more and more aware that all that we have belongs to and comes from God as a gift, and nothing of ours comes solely from our own effort and power. Because of this awareness, we can give freely, knowing that God is never outdone in generosity. 

All our years in MFC help us to draw closer to Him. It is a great privilege to be called by God to serve, so let us do so faithfully and with gratitude. Let us love totally and be the face of Christ to everyone we encounter. 

Gather

1. How has being part of MFC enriched or changed our lives? What would be different in our faith journey if we were not part of this community?

2. Which of my talents, time and treasure can I give more to support the MFC Community? How can I be of more service to my brethren?

Go Forth

Reflect on 1 Corinthians 12:26: “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.” Then, reach out to one of your brothers or sisters in the community, and ask how they are doing. Take time to listen, accompany them, and share in whatever they may be experiencing.

Starting this month, post a photo of your household and share a one-liner takeaway from the topic. Use #MissionaryFamiliesofChrist #MFCLifeGivingHousehold

Give

God is Generous and in response, let us be good stewards by consistent Spiritual Giving, our tithing. For Tithes Remittance of NCR Members: bit.ly/mfctithes

Go on Mission

Seek for opportunities to serve in MFC and/ or LCSC. MFC members 3 years and up are encouraged to go on mission in your own area or province. This can be done as a couple, with your household, or with your family. #FamiliesOnMission