Jain Spirit 2004 03 No 18

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 49

SPIRITUALITY
Francis taught his followers to greet everybody with the Latin: Pax et bonum! (I wish you peace and every good). He could be so positive to others because he was convinced that God not just loved everyone, but that He was present in every person. To treat anyone dismissively or abusively is a kind of blasphemy, a sacrilege. This message is not medieval, we need it now more than ever before!
Francis might be called a peace fanatic. He was, in fact, single-minded about every aspect of following his Lord. But he was also tolerant of the majority who were not convinced. This included most church leaders, the old aristocracy, the nouveau riche and even the unbelievers. His life has such mythic proportions that he was called 'alter Christus' (another Christ).
Francis was born in 1181 into a wealthy home. His father, Bernadone, was a cloth merchant who had met his mother in France. Although baptised Giovanni, while his father was overseas doing business, Bernadone later insisted the boy be called 'Frenchy' Groomed for commerce, the young Francis preferred socialising and became well-liked for his generous bankrolling of youthful celebrations; today we would call him a party animal. He never had much money sense and often gave away his father's wealth to the less fortunate. He loved the life of luxury - especially opulent clothing. Eventually, father and son had a falling out. When Bernadone took Francis to the local bishop ("Please straighten him out - he's wasting my wealth"), Francis stripped naked, returned his clothes and said that from now on he would rely on his heavenly father. (This happened after his radical yet gradual conversion.) Through it all Francis kept alive a youthful and charismatic exuberance. He knew how to love life, even when welcoming the approach of 'sister death:
Although he lived a life of rigorous 'poverty, chastity and obedience', Francis taught his followers not to belittle or blame those who considered it beyond them. His way was not one of confrontation. Francis knew that the best way of changing others was by constant good example and occasional instruction. He famously counselled his brothers: "Preach God's good news everywhere you go - using words only if you must."
Francis never adopted a 'holier than thou' piety. In fact, he really considered himself the chief of sinners. His great devotion to the suffering, crucified Christ was largely based on his judgment that his actions and thoughts were still betraying the Jesus he loved so much. His humility was linked to a commitment to minority by being a 'lesser brother' (plain clothed, claiming no favours). This was at a time of rapid social change, with a new commercial class replacing the old feudal aristocrats, where peasants were being squeezed by both. Church officials often Jain Education International 2010_03
INTER-FAITH 47
lived notoriously inadequate lives. Francis' garb was not the fancy religious gear of his time, nor the stylised habits of modern friars, but the clothing of the poorest of the poor. The modern equivalent might be a faded tracksuit.
Francis is the patron saint of animals, but also of ecology (a recent designation by the Vatican). He preached to the birds, talked to wildlife and tried not to harm any of God's creatures; he once even moved a worm off a well-travelled path. It might seem quaint and harmless, but this was just one aspect of his 'creation spirituality' which has just come into its own in our present times. Francis called all people, all wildlife and even the sun, moon, rocks and fire by the title 'brother' or 'sister' - emphasising the personal and vital connection between humanity and all else. This is a message of universal harmony that we need to hear in these exploitative and destructive times. Francis lived a very difficult and demanding life - calling others to follow his way of following his Lord. His tradition challenges us all to be the 'instruments of peace' in whatever way we find it authentic - but equally demanding our total dedication. Franciscan spirituality remains evergreen, strong and inspiring in a world where civility and godliness too often seem to be withering.
Dennis Oliver is a community worker living in North East England, with a special interest in asylum seekers. He is member of the Secular Franciscan Order.