ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI ONE STORY – ONE LESSON – ONE PRAYER ONE STORY Francis was born in Assisi in 1182, being ten years older that St Clare, whom we reflected upon last week. We all know how he was born to a noble family in the city, which gave him many opportunities for education and friendship in his young years. As he grew, he wanted to be a soldier and so he enrolled himself in the army for the defense of his hometown. During one of those military movements Francis of Jesus fell very ill, and in his heart he heard the voice of the Lord saying: “serve the Master not the servant”. Upon his return home, Francis changed his ways and embraced a life of poverty to follow Christ unreservedly. He established himself in a small chapel in the valley called the Porciuncula. It was given to them by the Benedictines, even though Francis never accepted the title of the land. He used to say, “our highest privilege is to have no privileges”. The stories about his life of poverty are well known worldwide nowadays. However, what is most characteristic of St Francis is his desire to live out the Gospel, and to preach that same good news. When Pope Innocent asked him to present a rule for his order, he showed up with a copy of the book of the Gospels as he said, “we have no other rule than the supreme rule”. At the same time, from the Porciuncula, the little brothers would go out to preach the Gospel two by two. He would visit the nearby towns inviting everyone to love Christ more. He used to tell them: “Love is not loved”. His desire took him all the way to northern Africa to preach the Gospel to the Saracens. Sultan Malek-al-Kamil was impressed by the conviction of his preaching, and the boldness of his testimony. Letting Francis and brother Illuminated go back the Sultan said, “If all the Christians were like him, then it would be worth it to be a Christian.” On coming back from his long journey, Francis sadly found out that the two vicars that he had left in charge had gone astray and were not living according to the rule of poverty that he was inspired to. A group of them was living in a big and very comfortable convent that had been given to them. On his way home, Francis refused to stay at the place and slept on the doorsteps of the convent. He later called a general chapter where he exposed, “The Lord told me that we should be poor and crazy in this world and may that one and no other be the path through which He takes us. May God confuse your wisdom and science and make you return to your primitive vocation.” After saying that he stepped down as General Superior of the Order and decided to live at the rank of the lowest of his brothers. He thought that he wouldn’t be able to talk and reform each person, but that he could set the example. He said, “By becoming their brother I shall be their father”. That’s how he reformed the Order before his death. ONE LESSON True freedom lies hidden in the Gospel. Francis found the treasure, the pearl of great price. He was bold to give up everything so to have that treasure alone. May our privilege be to have no privilege other than the Gospel. Am I tired? The Lord was tired. Am I joyful? He also rejoiced in the Holy Spirit. Persecuted, betrayed, surrounded by friends, busy, at prayer, at rest, planning, doing, celebrating. In all things let us live out the Gospel, that we may also be able to preach it with the fire of St Francis. ONE PRAYER “Almighty, eternal, just, and merciful God, grant us in our misery [the grace] to do for You alone what we know You want us to do, and always to desire what pleases You. Thus, inwardly cleansed, interiorly enlightened, and inflamed by the fire of the Holy Spirit, may we be able to follow in the footprints of Your Beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. And, by Your grace alone, may we make our way to You, Most High, Who live and rule in perfect Trinity and simple Unity, and are glorified God all-powerful forever and ever. Amen.”
