Francis' Perfect Joy!

What is perfect joy? It's all in how you look at it!

Francis told a story to brother Leo (an early follower of his that was pure of heart and fervent of spirit and very gentle ) describing what "Perfect Joy" is as they were walking down a road one cold snowy evening. He presented a hypothetical situation in which he and Leo arrived at a 'place' (where the Friars lived) that very evening.

After knocking on the door for a long time the porter finally responds - but is very 'put out'. He wonders, out loud, who would bother him (and the other brothers) at this time when they were already settling in for the night! He looks at them critically, and with outright hostility, questions them as to who they are and what they want. When they tell him they are brothers, Friars, caught out in the elements and beg him for lodging, he rejects them telling them they that they are 'thieves' and 'frauds' and do not deserve to enter the place where 'holy people' live. Although, Francis tells the man his name, (which all Friars would recognize immediately as belonging to their Minister General!) the porter brushes the information aside without interest - indicating thereby that (in his eyes) Francis deserves no respect or consideration - even if he is Minister! He swears that they will never enter the 'place' and should go somewhere else for the night. With those harsh words the door is slammed in their faces and they are left to consider, with the cold night air creeping into their bones, the hard journey to the next place where they may be able to find shelter and warmth.

Francis then says: . . . if we endure all those insults and cruelties and rebuffs patiently and without being ruffled or murmuring at him; and we humbly and charitably think that this porter really knows us but that God is having him talk up to us that way: Oh, brother Leo, write that there is perfect joy in that!

Francis focuses on both the situation and on himself - rather than on the porter and his supposed failings. We cannot always control the circumstances around us, however, we can control (with God's help) what happens within us - how we respond to a bad situation. Francis' focus is on ENDURING. It is clear that Francis knows what has been thrown at him: insults, cruelty's and rebuffs. Even if Francis earned the insults, deserved the cruelties and therefore should expect the rebuffs - they were still uncharitable and harsh. Though a sinner he was still, after all, God's child!

He said to Leo that one should focus on enduring the abuse, with patience, and without being ruffled or murmurring against the porter. Imagine trying to endure this abuse - especially while freezing in the cold evening air!? Imagine being rebuffed, slandered and rejected by one who calls himself your brother, has sworn to live his life following in Jesus' footsteps - promising to show goodness, compassion and mercy to others like Jesus did! Enduring would seem to demand almost super-human strength in this situation!

However, Francis doesn't feel that enduring - putting up with the abuse - is enough. He says we must put up with it with 'patience'. This means that we should endure, and be willing to endure, for a long time! Well . . . who can do that!? And enduring in patience was still not enough! He said we shouldn't show that we are upset, startled or disturbed by anyone's actions. He finally makes the point that there should be no murmurring - no 'under the breath' complaining (or cursing) over the bad treatment - to the abuser and others and but not even to oneself! This is too much to ask, isn't it?!

Francis argues that we must not surrender to other people's negativity by becoming negative ourselves. We must learn to discipline ourselves, maintain our focus on doing what is good and right for the love of Jesus (who loved us in the face of OUR cruelty and cold-heartedness toward Him). We must reject our impulse to attack our attacker and take our stand on what Jesus showed us is good and right. Remember, Jesus told us we must be like our Father in heaven, "Who is good to the evil and kind and generous to the unjust".

Francis tells us that we must consider, with HUMILITY and CHARITY, the porter and EXCUSE his words and actions. Humbly by reasoning, like Francis, that we are sinners and it is our sins that bring down God's judgment on us. Therefore we are only getting what we deserve when cursing, accusations and rebuffs are leveled at us - we dserve much worse! Charitably, by giving the most positive and kindest interpretation to the words and actions of the porter. Didn't St. Paul say that love ". . . does not take offense and is not resentful . . . it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes."?

Francis knows who he is before God: a sinner who has proven to God, and himself, that he is totally undeserving of either mercy or any of the blessings he has recieved from God. He knows who the porter is - a sinner, yes (for everyone has sinned), 'but who could be a worse sinner than me?!' Francis thinks. He also knows that Jesus loved the porter enough to give His life for him. How can he (a wicked and ungrateful sinner) judge the porter as being wrong or bad (who is so beloved of God)?! Didn't Jesus say that judging others was evil and should be left solely to God?!

Francis chose to believe that the Friar was good and there is reason to believe that he was. Didn't he give up everything to follow Christ? Would he be given one of the most serious responsibilities of a place if he was not loving and responsible - gentle and discerning? Francis didn't really know the man so why should he, based on a brief encounter, judge him as being 'bad'?

Francis uses two excellent arguments to present the porter as being not only good, but just in his evaluation of Francis and brother Leo: the first is that the porter 'knows us' and the second is that God is having him 'speak up to us' in this manner. Francis sees the porter as knowing the true reality - who Francis and Leo truly are (wicked sinners!) and what they are about (presenting themselves as being good servants of God even while they are violating the rule, etc.) Francis chooses to view the porter as a righteous judge - one who is wise and discerning - especially when it comes to figuring people out.

Francis was wise in the ways of God. He recalled that St. Paul said, "Judge yourself so that you will not be judged". He also knew that Jesus said, "Why do you look at the speck of dust in your brothers eye when you have a log in your own?! First, take the log out of your own . . ." It is apparent that Jesus, when it comes to judging, advises us to focus on our own sins first rather than those of others! Thus, even if this porter was a sinner, Francis KNEW (because he knew himself better than he knew this man) that he was a worse sinner - in his own eyes.

Francis believed that all things were in God's hands - including this porter. He didn't believe in accidents. He knew that God is just and punishes those who do wrong. God is good, delights in being merciful and blessing His children and so it is reasonable to expect blessings from Him - especially if we are doing what is right. However, if we experience hard things it could mean that God is angry and is punishing us for our evil actions. Though it wouldn't 'feel' good, the man of faith would see it as being good in that, by being punished and realizing he has sinned, he can repent, turn to God and be reconciled. As a result, each of us MUST accept responsibility, be sorry and repent. It is also appropriate, after repenting, to feel GRATEFUL and thank God for His mercy in letting us suffer now so that we do not have to experience eternal torment and sorrow, later.

Listen to Francis' enthusiasm when he says, "Oh brother Leo, write that perfect joy is in that!" There is no joy in suffering or in seeing others act poorly toward us. HOWEVER, there is perfect joy in seeing things the way Francis did. There is perfect joy in controling ourselves (disciplining our flesh and 'crucifying' it) and in understanding that God is taking care of us - punishing us, lovingly, for our sins and directing us in what is right. There is joy in not seeing evil in another but interpreting their words and actions as the (loving) words and actions of God - words that appear to be horrible but actually bring about healing, forgiveness and life. That IS perfect joy! That is why Francis welcomed these painful and hard experiences - they brought PERFECT JOY!

Do you want perfect joy? Can you think of any other way that you can achieve what Francis called perfect joy? Wouldn't it be an act of kindness to show the porter his errors? Isn't it right to stand up for what is good and right - resist evil? Isn't it reasonable to think that this porter will treat other unfortunate people coming to the door in like manner? But Jesus said, "Do not resist them when they do evil to you". And, what did Jesus mean when He said to "Be happy when people slander you, spread false rumors about you and cast your name out as evil."? Couldn't Francis, as Minister, have rebuked this brother? Francis had free choice and if he wanted to suffer this abuse he could. However, was it right for him to allow poor brother Leo to suffer in this way? What experience of 'Perfect joy" can you share? What techniques do you have for enduring patiently and excusing others failings?

Perfect joy is like all spiritual treasures - hard to find and harder to keep! Jesus said to each of us that we must deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him. He described His way of life as being "Narrow and hard". Jesus showed us the way by His own life, giving us His example of faith and faithfulness. The promises are real, the treasures true and eternal but the personal costs can be great! Francis loved the Gospel life -didn't want anything but that life. Do you want it? How serious are you - have you counted the cost? Jesus is calling you and waiting for your response. Let us follow Him for, remember what He said, "My yoke is easy and my burden light!" Jesus also said, "Children, do not be afraid. I have overcome the world". St. Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". Jesus is with us on the journey, will help and support us and bring us all the way home. ALLELUIA!