Poverty: Giving up the world and all it holds, refusing to be part of the world or clutch the things it offers as we live out our days: and finally denying ourselves of our rights as we follow Jesus. This the way of life we have chosen as Christians (and as Franciscans)!
The last Post talked about how Francis sought to discern God's will in choosing a way of life. His words in that post concluded with . . . 'asking God to show us on a threefold opening of the Missal what it pleases Him to have us choose.'
They were asking the BIG question - what they should spend their life doing to please God! And, how were they going to hear God's voice, discern His will? By opening, at random, holy scripture and reading whatever their eyes fell upon!
To some this can seem very arbitrary and maybe even foolish. Most reasonable people would be concerned if we told them we were planning to discern God's will (to chart the course of our lives) in this way!
But, before we continue that discussion, what was God's answer in the scripture, to Francis' and brother Bernard's question? '"If you wish to be perfect, go and sell everything you have, and give it to the poor. Take nothing with you on the way. Whoever wishes to follow Me, let him deny himself." ' We can see God's response was consistent across the board, one indication (of many) that God was speaking! Francis’ response to God's answer - 'That is what I want, that is what I am looking for, that is what I long to do with all my inmost heart!'
The cynical mind might discount Francis' 'technique' for determining God's will as just plain foolish. However, "God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confuse the wise," St. Paul said. St. Paul explained his point by talking about God's transcendent 'foolishness' as revealed in God plan for man's salvation: God becoming a man (actually the humblest man - 'a servant to all'), saving every one's life by choosing to die, and giving this gift of salvation by asking people to 'believe' the 'words' of the Gospel.
Francis called himself a 'new kind of fool in the world' and readily admitted to everyone that he was simple, poor and unattractive to the eyes of the world. (Look above at the only picture many believe accurately portrays the little poor man of Assisi for proof!) Spiritually wise men know that God often chooses seemingly foolish means to accomplish the great mysteries and works of God!
What was Francis probable rational in using this technique? Francis knew that God knows all things. He knew that God ultimately controls ALL things. Therefore, He can use ANYTHING to reveal His will. Why is it so strange to think that God can 'speak' directly and specifically through Holy Scripture? It should be noted that Francis had the priest - a neutral third party - open the missal for them and read what his eyes happened to fall upon. God had special control of the priests hands and eyes. What appears to have been revealed by chance in the eyes of men became the marching orders for the Franciscan army of God over the last 800 years!
God's words to Francis were 'short but sweet'; sell all you have and give the money to the poor, take nothing with you as you pass through this life and live a life of abstinence (a life of self-denial) in this world. Well, I guess, from a worldly perspective, these things are NOT very sweet at all! However, to the spiritually minded, these words are not only sweet but Light in a dark place. However we must 'have eyes to see and ears to hear' what God is saying to His people'.
In these brief scriptures - words of Jesus - we can see that the Franciscan's lifestyle was to be one of both Temporal and Spiritual poverty. The first verse talks about getting rid of what you have now - all earthly possessions. The second verse affirms that this 'getting rid of' found in the first verse is something that is permanent. That, as Francis and Bernard go through life, they are not to gather any new possessions ('Take NOTHING with you on the way'.)
The final verse talks about spiritual poverty - working hard at achieving the spiritual state where one realizes how utterly dependent every creature is on God. 'Whoever wishes to follow Me, let him deny himself." This is accomplished by not only forsaking the 'good things' in this life but depriving one's self (and/or allowing one's self to be deprived OR at least being WILLING to be deprived) of these things that every person rightfully expects from God - food, clothes, health, love and respect from others, etc. Francis and Bernard were to learn to prize those things that revealed their weakness, ignorance and sinfulness for ". . . my strength is made perfect in your weakness" God said to St. Paul.
We all know that following Jesus, doing what He did, is hard and His way is filled with deprivations. Francis and Bernard, who willingly took on voluntary poverty, were not only two of the richest men the universe has ever known but were also two of the wisest. They traded this worlds good things - temporal, subject to corruption and ultimately unsatisfying to our eternal soul - for heavens eternal good things which can satisfy our souls totally and forever.
What was Francis response to hearing these very demanding words of Christ? 'That is what I want, that is what I am looking for, that is what I long to do with all my inmost heart!' What would your response have been? What do you think brother Bernard's response was? I believe that both Francis and brother Bernard had counted the cost and, in their hearts, had already forsaken the world for whatever God, in His great goodness, had prepared for them. They believed that God was good - the source of all good - and going to Him, doing what pleased Him - would assure them of all the good that God had to give. With this confidence they could freely, without worry, fear or doubt, cast their lives to the wind of the Spirit.
We see Francis' and brother Bernard's faith and total commitment to fulfilling what God was asking of them. What about your faith and commitment? Jesus asks us to 'count the cost' of discipleship. He tells us, "Unless you also give up everything you possess you cannot follow me." This is something EVERYONE who calls himself a disciple of Jesus MUST do - at least in their hearts and spirits. Have you counted the cost, considered the pros and cons, of knowing and following Jesus? Do you believe in His good promises and have you committed yourself to live your life based on those promises that? Remember Jesus said, "He who loses his life in this world preserves it for the next." Francis' and Bernard's confidence and joy are signs that they could spiritually 'see' that their hopes were not foolish. For those who have 'eyes to see and ears to hear' all of the promises of God are being fulfilled now and will also be fulfilled in the future. This is what Jesus' disciples believe and live by.
PRAYER: Father in heaven, You spoke through the scripture to Francis and brother Bernard and gave them a way of life that was challenging to see the least. You reminds us of what Jesus said, "The gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life and few there are that find it." Though most of us are not 'Religious' it is clear that, at least internally, we must 'forsake the world' in the same way that Francis and all of Your followers have done. Give us strength and wisdom to do all You ask of us, live in a holy and good way and forsake not only the things of this world but especially it's ways of thinking, feeling, speaking and acting. You disciples asked You, "Who then can be saved?" You told them, "With men this is impossible but with God - all things are possible." We believe but 'help us in our unbelief!' We give all to You Lord and resolve to follow You wholeheartedly, faithfully and with the greatest determination and we rejoice because we know that by Your grace we will, one day, enter those pearly gates in joy and triumph! Alleluia and Amen!
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