Francis

Citizen of the world to come
By Fr. Russell Becker
Photos Bro. Octavio Duran, OFM

St. Francis was born in about 1182 and died in 1226. He was a member of a fairly wealthy family, and seems to have been a fun-loving young person. Dreaming of being a knight, he tried to fight in one of the many local wars that took place between city-states in Italy at that time. He took ill, and while he was recuperating, his life seemed to begin to become more a series of questions than answers. Discerning a call from God, he began to live simply. Everything that was important before was no longer important. He renounced the life his family provided for him, and began a journey that would lead him to an intense relationship with Christ. Along the way he attracted followers, and before he knew it, Francis became the founder of a great religious family.

Francis seems to appeal to almost everyone. There is just something about him, that makes many people pause to think. Simplicity of life and a world where there is peace at every level is most attractive. But, while other people would pause to think it was a great idea, Francis actually helped to make that world, which so many people longed for, a bit more visible. Catholics, non-Catholics and non-Christians have great affection for the “poor man” of Assisi. All people of good will long for that world.

Self-emptying. Francis was attracted to the Lord Jesus who humbled himself for our sake. This is why the Mystery of Christmas and the Mystery of the Cross are so much a part of Francis. He could see the King of Glory, lying in a manger, so vulnerable so that we might not be scared off. Embracing the Lord of all hanging on a cross, Francis intimately knew the depths of God’s love for us.

When others might be tempted to question God’s love, Francis need only call to mind these two great mysteries and he would rejoice in God’s love. His remembering was not just for himself, but for everyone he met. God is love; God loves us all!

All Creation. God create SFCWC3

d the world and all creation is related in the Creator. Francis seemed to appreciate this at the deepest levels. He saw brothers and sisters everywhere. His Canticle of the Sun praises God for the brothers and sisters that the loving God and Father gave him: the sun, the moon, wind and fire, mother earth, and even sister death. He took seriously the charge God gave to our first parents to nurture and protect all of creation. What else could you do? Everything and everyone is related!

This sensitivity to the presence of God in creation was not missed in the place where most of us miss it: other humans. Francis seemed to be able to discern goodness where no one else could. Treating people with love and dignity, as brothers and sisters, makes a difference. His most memorable conversion experience was when he embraced the person with leprosy. In discovering the goodness of one condemned to hide from others, he not only restored the person with leprosy, but restored himself. While others, even Francis, had run away, one day he embraced a person with leprosy and restoration began.

There is a story of Francis and the wolf of Gubbio. Some believe that this was the name of a bandit who preyed on people in the area, not just some wild animal. Francis, seeing goodness where no one else did, was able to tame the animal (or the bandit). While others feared or hunted, Francis found the good and brought it forth.

Rebuild My Church. There is a prayer that thanks God for sending Francis when the world was growing cold. His times were difficult times for the Church, but every age has their problems. At San Damiano, Francis heard the voice of God telling him to rebuild my Church. At first, Francis thought God meant that very building. Later, he began to realize that the voice was calling him to something far greater. Francis was able to love the Church of his time with all its problems, and become a part of the renewal of it. Its divisions did not put him off, nor its scandals drive him away.

Mothers of Christ. One of the most intriguing concepts that flows from all of this is Francis’ idea that we are not only brothers and sisters to the Lord Jesus, but in the end we are called to be mothers of the Lord Jesus. Mary gave birth to Jesus on the first Christmas, but all of us are supposed to follow her example and give birth to Jesus in our time. These are words from his Letter to all the Faithful:

It is not for us to be wise and calculating in the world’s fashion; we should be guileless, lowly and pure. On all who do this and endure to the end, the Spirit of God will rest; he will make his dwelling in them and there he will stay, and they will be children of the Father whose work they do. It is they who are the brides, the brothers and sisters, and the mothers of our Lord Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit; we are his brothers and sisters when we do the will of his Father, who is in heaven, and we are mothers to him when we enthrone him in our hearts and souls by love, with a sincere conscience, and give him birth by doing good.

This simple man speaks to us today in our own very complex world. The list of people who find inspiration and hope in St. Francis is almost endless. All that he said and did helped to capture the imagination of his time and of the times which have followed. Francis saw himself as a minstrel of the Lord and called everyone to take up the same vocation: What are the servants of the Lord, but his minstrels who should raise the hearts of the people and move them to spiritual joy!

Francis invites us to join in the song and help him to make the world that we all long for to come to be. So then we can join him as fellow citizens of the world to come.

Reflection questions:

1.   How can we follow the vision of St. Francis?
2.   How can we begin to embrace Christ’s way of self-emptying?
3.   How many brothers and sisters do we have in God?
4.   Can we be part of the renewal of our Church?
5.   Can we follow Mary and give birth to the Lord in our time? How?

This article was published in the Fall Issue 2009 of the Anthonian magazine   ©2009 St. Anthony's Guild