There is perhaps no single theme which embodies – at least in one word – the life of St. Francis of Assisi.  But Francis was not born to a simple way of life, rather he was born into a world emerging from the feudal period of European history in a time when the merchant class was rising in power in the new era of trade and the novel notion of money.

What was it that made Giovanni Bernardone, son of wealthy cloth merchant Pietro, eventually become the one known to history as Francis of Assisi? It is a story of a movement from the trends and standards of the society around him to one in which he began to refound his life upon the Gospel – to take the values of the Word of God as the guide to life – his entire life and then be converted.

Francis Searches for His Role in Life

His father’s worldly success had secured for the young Francis a care-free life of material comfort. Francis was a popular youth, often the center of attention, who could be found engaged in sport, frequenting the piazza of the city, buying drinks for friends or confidently serenading the young women of Assisi. But Francis also wanted more.

Typical of the fashionable youth of his time, Francis was imbued with the romantic spirit of chivalry. He took part enthusiastically in the fighting between warring city states of central Italy, and was eventually captured and held prisoner for a year in the neighboring city of Perugia. During this time he became severely ill. Ransomed by his father he returned home to Assisi, but he never regained his former health and high spirits. In 1204, on the eve of setting out once more to do battle, he experienced a dream/vision which caused him to abandon his ambitions for military glory.  In the dream Francis is challenged to answer the question who did he follow – would it be the kings, knights and soldiers of the 5^th Crusade, or would it be the King of Kings.

Francis returned home, his honor questioned, derided by father and friends – and challenged with the still unfamiliar values of Christian discipleship. It is at this point in his journey that he composed what is known as “Saint Francis’ Prayer before the Crucifix”:

Most High, glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart and give me true faith, certain hope, and perfect charity, sense and knowledge, Lord, that I may carry out Your holy and true command.

It is at this point that Francis’s life became a “Lenten Observance” – what began in prayer was sustained by fasting and alms giving seen in his adoption of a more simple way of living and being in the world.

What is often assumed about Francis is that be embraced a life of destitute poverty and foreswore all materials goods.  And yet we find Francis’ signature on ownership documents for property and buildings in the Assisi region. What many fail to recognize is that Francis did not let those things possess him or cloud his life of prayer, fasting and alms giving.

We Search for Our Role in Life

As Christians we are called to believe in Christ – but to also follow Christ and embody the values that Christ puts on display for us in the Gospels; to figure out in our time and place what is ours to do for others.  Also what is ours to do for our own spiritual life in the times and places in which we live.

Like Francis we live in a time in which our society holds out other values, morals and ethics as the foundation of life.  In Francis’ time it was money/wealth, chivalry, breaking the feudal era caste system, adventure and a host of other ideologies and idols.  Francis was eventually able to see those idols.  Lent is a time in which we are asked to explore those same basic themes and answer the same question: who is it we follow?

The Process of Moving to Christian Simplicity

St Bonaventure describes Francis’ spirituality as a cycle of going into the world to (a) see the art, gift, and presence of God in the world and (b) also to see that world as it is. This is a great model for everyday life and is the core of Franciscan spirituality.  The cycle was continued by taking all of that into prayer and contemplation, asking for the wisdom of the Spirit (judge). The cycle came to an end in the actions that one chooses about their life as disciples of Christ (act).  See-judge-act – and then begin anew.

As followers of Christ, we are called to that same basic process by viewing the world around us in our everyday experiences of food, buying patterns, water usage, energy use, and transportation.  We are asked to see the art, gift and presence of God in all these things, but also to see the world as it is.  Then we are asked to judge what we have seen and ask ourselves what Christ and the Gospel would have us do.  And we judge in prayer and by asking for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Once we have judged, we are asked to act.

What You May See

For example, what will you see when you examine the patterns of your food consumption? How deeply will you look?  Do you eat simply or do you give any thought to food/meal planning? Do you stay aware of justice issues surrounding what food is on your plate – e.g., the plight of Florida tomato workers? Do you seek out food that is sustainable and is not harmful to the local growing area?  There are tons of questions, lots of resources, and it takes time, prayer and reflection.

My own experience is the first reaction can include this is “a little overboard,” “there are more important things to do right now – like actually feed the poor,” and others that “push back” against the things we are beginning to see.  After all, we believe ourselves to be good people – and for the most part we are. But the only real question is are we disciples of Christ.

It was never an easy question for St Francis. In answering that question he had to refound his entire life on new values – to the derision of friends, but to the greater glory of God. I think we would all agree, he chose well.

The Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and alms giving were present in Francis’ own time; he had engaged in them many times – and was still left unconverted.  Perhaps because he never deeply and truly answered the haunting question: who do you follow.

Each of us has experienced Lent many times over – has the experience deeply and truly converted us?  Only you can answer.

Be willing to walk the Lenten journey as did Francis.  Let your world be challenged, be willing to be uncomfortable at times, be ready to be filled with joy at God’s grace.

You will not solve the world’s problems, but may your Lenten journey lead you closer to Christian Simplicity.  It was this journey in life that led Francis to embrace Christ ever more fully. In this we can all pray together

Most High, glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart and give me true faith, certain hope, and perfect charity, sense and knowledge, Lord, that I may carry out Your holy and true command.