Word to the Wise
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 - Oct. 4 - St. Francis of Assisi, religious
[Gal 6:14-18 and Matt 11:25-30,1274]“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
We Dominicans revere Saint Francis of Assisi, who was a contemporary of St. Dominic. There is a pious tradition that they met once at the home of an influential cardinal, but we have no direct evidence of it other than artistic imagination. Nevertheless, the foundation of the Franciscan and Dominican religious orders marked a significant moment in the history of the church. A new form of religious life was developed that did not depend on the stable living of a monastery, but allowed for mobility in ministry and begging for resources. The term, "mendicant friars," (Latin, mendicare=to beg) came into being to describe Dominicans, Franciscans and the groups that were founded later on (Carmelites,Augustinians, Servites, Trinitarians, Mercedarians).
The Franciscan charism focuses primarily on Poverty. They even refer to it as "Lady Poverty." Those who have seen the movie, "Brother Sun, Sister Moon," can recall the dramatic scene where Francis removed his clothing in front of the local bishop! Poverty is both a physical and spiritual goal of Franciscan charism! (We Dominicans take a more "instrumental" view of poverty, seeing it as one means among several for supporting our principal charism, which is Preaching.) The tremendous and universal appeal of the character of St. Francis of Assisi testifies to the power of his example. The interpretation of that legacy, however, has meant that Franciscans have developed many different branches with as many understandings of the charism. I cannot speak for them, but I could see how a Franciscan might interpret today's gospel about Mary choosing the "better part" as a rejection of the material concerns represented by Martha in order to choose physical and spiritual dependence on the words of Christ.
St. Francis is associated with care for the environment and all living creatures! His statue is found in many a garden. At one Dominican location where I was preaching a retreat, there was a statue of St. Francis and one of St. Dominic. One did not have to look hard at them to determine which one the birds loved! St. Francis is associated with a worldwide longing for peace. Bl. John Paul II attracted worldwide attention when he gathered the leaders of the world's great spiritual traditions at Assisi to pray for peace.
There is an old custom of Dominicans inviting Franciscans to preach at the celebration of the feast of St. Dominic and vice versa on the feast of St. Francis. I hope that tradition is continuing. The richness of sharing charisms to give a broader witness to the world of "the better part" is truly needed in our times. AMEN
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