Perhaps in a nod to the simplicity of lifestyle led by him, and the fact that I have spotty internet service in this corner of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains near Charlottesville, Virginia, I could not post yesterday on the Feast of Francis, who was born in 1182 and died on 4 Oct 1226. But I could not let the commemoration of this man pass by without a tribute here.
He is perhaps best known for his legendary relationship with the animals, with whom he reportedly could communicate. Hence, the reason for churches across the world hosting their annual Blessings of the Animals this week. While Francis died nearly a millenium ago, we actually have a great deal of his biographical detail preserved both in his writings and in the Church's historical documents, and it is probably more accurate to say he was a joyful man, with a generosity of spirit and forbearance, who had the gift of discovering the beauty in all of creation.
Furthermore, let us produce worthy fruits of penance. Let us also love our neighbors as ourselves. Let us have charity and humility. Let us give alms because these cleanse our souls from the stains of sin. Men lose all the material things they leave behind in this world, but they carry with them the reward of their charity and the alms they give. For these they will recieve from the Lord the reward and recompense they deserve. We must not be wise and prudent according to the flesh. Rather we must be simple, humble and pure. We should never desire to be over others. Instead, we ought to be servants who are submissive to very human being for God's sake. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on all who live in this way and persevere in it to the end. He will permanently dwell in them. They will be the Father's children who do his work. They are the spouses, brothers and mothers of our Lord Jesus Christ."
He was born into a wealthy Italian family, but as a young man heard the voice of Christ calling him to repair the delapidated Church of San Damiano. He sold a bale of precious silk out of his father's warehouse and gave the money to the church--which infuriated his father. They reportedly had a public dispute in which his father disowned him, and Francis renounced his claim as heir, demonstrably taking his fine linen clothes off, handing them to his father, and then walking away naked.
In time, the Pope granted him permission to establish the Order of Friars Minor (known since then as Franciscans), whose vow of poverty arose from a literal interpretation of Matthew 10:7 in which Christ commands:
Preach as you go, saying, "The kingdom of Heaven is at hand." ... You have received the Gospel without payment, give it to others as freely. Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, no spare garment, nor sandals, nor staff.
It was Francis who said: "Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary use words." Many have followed in his footsteps, and have contributed to the working of the kingdom in their own right, and we are the richer for it.
In 1219 he went to the Holy Land and met with the Sultan, Melek-al-Kamil, who was reportedly as devout a Muslim as Francis was a Christian. They became mutual admirers, and Francis mediated a proposal for peace between the Crusaders and the Muslims. Melek-al-Kamil, trusting Francis and moved by his piety, agreed to the armistice, but the Christian leaders would not, and fighting would continue for nearly 100 years more, the effects of which still have impact in our time.
Here is an excerpt from one of Francis' open letters to all Christians, which means, in a very profound way, he was writing to you and me as well:
"O how happy and blessed are those who love the Lord and do as the Lord himself said in the gospel: You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart and your whole soul, and your neighbor as yourself. Therefore, let us love God and adore him with pure heart and mind. This is his particular desire when he says: True worshipers adore the Father in spirit and truth. For all who adore him must do so in the spirit of truth. Let us also direct to him our praises and prayers, saying: "Our Father, who are in heaven," since we must always pray and never grow slack.
Furthermore, let us produce worthy fruits of penance. Let us also love our neighbors as ourselves. Let us have charity and humility. Let us give alms because these cleanse our souls from the stains of sin. Men lose all the material things they leave behind in this world, but they carry with them the reward of their charity and the alms they give. For these they will recieve from the Lord the reward and recompense they deserve. We must not be wise and prudent according to the flesh. Rather we must be simple, humble and pure. We should never desire to be over others. Instead, we ought to be servants who are submissive to very human being for God's sake. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on all who live in this way and persevere in it to the end. He will permanently dwell in them. They will be the Father's children who do his work. They are the spouses, brothers and mothers of our Lord Jesus Christ."
The Collect for the Day:
Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant your people grace gladly to renounce the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may for love of you delight in your whole creation with perfect joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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