Franciscan's (Christians) appear to be simple, poor, powerless and insignificant in the eyes of 'the world' but their appearance belies the spiritual reality that . . . they are Knights of the Heavenly Realm, trusted retainers of the King of kings and destined to reign in the eternal Kingdom of God!
Francis lived in the days of the Knight and believed in the principles of Knighthood - chivalry and social responsibility. He had had aspirations to become a knight and made efforts to earn that title at least twice during his early years. However both efforts failed and, during the second one, he received a message from the 'Emperor' of heaven who called him in a dream to "go home to await orders for it (knighthood) to be fulfilled spiritually'. Those 'orders' resulted in Francis starting on a quest for Holy Knighthood in service to the King of kings!
Even after Francis became a 'religious' he continued to subscribe to the principles of Knighthood - especially in regard to loyalty to the point of death for one's Lord, being willing to lay down one's life for what was good and right and courtesy and kindness to those less fortunate.
He saw his brotherhood as a gathering of Knights of God - the building of a spiritual army to live, fight and die for Jesus and His heavenly kingdom. Francis and his early followers struggled to live the Gospel way of life. At times his brothers became discouraged by the miserable living conditions (exposure to the elements), poor (and limited) food, hard work and rigorous devotions. These factors all took their toll both on their health and sometimes on their spirits.
"Dearest brother, God has conferred a great favor on you. If the emperor were to come to Assisi and decide to make one of its citizens a knight . . . of his, would the offer not be welcomed as a great mark of honor and distinction!? How much more should you rejoice since God has called you to be His knight and his special servant to observe His holy Gospel perfectly!"
Francis was trying (in the passage above) to encourage one of the brothers who had fallen into despair. It was true that Francis was always peaceful, joyful and full of loving concern for everyone else despite the privations he suffered but this seemed impossible for the friar to ever hope to be able to do and the life of Poverty he had chosen was very hard to endure as well.
Francis' secret of success was to see things from a spiritual perspective. If one could perceive the spiritual realities that underlie all temporal things, it would strengthen one's faith, allow one to 'see' beyond the difficulties in life and learn that with God "all things are possible!"
Francis explained that it was true that the emperor ruled the world and was the most powerful man on earth. However, though the emperor might rule the world, God was the King who ruled all things! Francis argued that if one were to feel great honor and joy at being chosen by the emperor to be his knight, how much more should one be honored and overjoyed at being called by the King of kings to be His knight?!
Francis' perspective might seem ridiculous to the worldly man who looked at the actual circumstances of the friar's lives. Francis didn't see any contradiction in their situation or appearance and their status as knights of God. What he saw with his earthly eyes did not contradict what he saw with his spiritual ones. Francis knew that the spiritual realm always trumped the physical realm because it was eternal and the beauty, power and goodness of it would never fade.
For an example of 'seeing' spiritual realities we could look at Jesus, the King of the Universe. St. Paul said, "He became poor that we might be enriched." And also, "He emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming as human beings are; and being in every way like a human being, He was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross."
We can see that, though Jesus was King of the Universe, He appeared to the world to only be a simple human being and the lowest one of all. He appeared this way because he emptied Himself of His Divinity for a short time. (It was still there but He didn't operate from it). In the same manner, our faith teaches us that if we willingly and in faith accept the same position in this world and the same hardships in life that Jesus chose, we shall, like Him, reign in heaven and with eternal glory. We can see what happened to Jesus after His death and Resurrection! "But God raised Him high and gave Him the name which is above all other names so that all beings in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus and that every tongue should acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
After all, Francis believed that knighthood was first of all something 'spiritual' since a knight lived by and for values - spiritual principles. A knight was a man of principle who endured all hardships to fulfill his responsibilities to God, King and country. Being a knight had little to do with wealth, power, nice things and honor from men. For Francis the bravery (selflessness) and determination (faithfulness) in the face of trials was what made one a knight. By proclaiming a person a knight the king was just announcing what everyone already realized: the person had proven their faithfulness and bravery in the midst of dangerous ordeals, proven they deserved the honor and respect of others. This is much like the Pope announcing the Sainthood of some believer. The Church doesn't create saints (God does!) but recognizes and proclaims to the world that a person is/has been a 'saint'.
Francis' army of knights did not have 'worldly' purposes. The brothers were on a spiritual 'Crusade'. They were called to serve their King in spiritual battle and give body and soul to the task of fighting His enemies. Ultimately this army would shake the very pillars of the devil's empire. We are all called to be Knights of God and to fight the battles of our Lord Jesus, the 'Captain of our faith'.
St. Paul talked about this spiritual war God's knights are engaged in: "For it is not against flesh and blood that we have to struggle, but against the principalities and the ruling forces who are masters of the darkness in this world, the spirits of evil in the heavens. He also spoke about the weapon's we use to fight it. "It is not by human methods that we do battle. The weapons with which we do battle are not those of human nature, but they have the power, in God's cause, to demolish fortresses." And, "That is why you must take up all God's armor, or you will not be able to put up any resistance on the evil day, or stand your ground even though you exert yourselves to the full." Note it is spiritual weapons we use (prayer, scripture, fasting, alms and the virtues) and we draw on God's power (armor) to survive the battles and triumph over our enemies. There is no way we can do any of this if rely on purely worldly things or our own strength, wisdom or goodness.
Many think, after counting the cost, that the price is too high to follow Jesus, to join this army of God. However, this world is "fading away with all those who cling to it". While the heavenly kingdom - it's joy and pleasure - will last forever. In addition, during this life, God promises us a peace "that exceeds our ability to understand", a joy "that no one can fully describe" and a love that is overwhelming in it's beauty and power - if we trust and follow Him. The offer of God is beyond generous but regrettably few choose to believe His promises and claim the riches He offers.
St. Paul was one who did. "I have come to consider all these advantages that I had as disadvantages. Not only that, but I believe nothing can happen that will outweigh the supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For Him I have accepted the loss of everything and I look on everything as so much rubbish if only I can have Christ and be given a place in Him." In describing how he endured and persisted in his faith journey St. Paul said, "I have learned to manage on whatever I have, I know how to be poor and I know how to be rich too. I have been through my initiation and now I am ready for anything anywhere: full stomach or empty stomach, poverty or plenty. There is nothing I cannot master with the help of the One who gives me strength." Jesus and Francis both want us to 'take courage' and not be discouraged. Our Captain Jesus said that, with His help, "we can do all things." Jesus also said, "In the world you shall have many trials but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world!"
Remember, Jesus only asks you to give up what is already slipping through Your fingers anyway, that which was never designed to last forever. He is offering You, here and now, everything that satisfies the human soul - makes it 'happy' - and promises that You will have it forever.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we bow before You, our almighty and most glorious Lord. We ask for Your help in dedicating our bodies and souls to Your service. With Your help we can endure all things and overcome, for the glory of Your name, thrown against us. Help us to conquer ourselves and willingly, joyfully, surrender ourselves fully to Your will - no matter the cost. Dear Jesus, Captain of our Faith, lead us to the victory that You Yourself won on Calvary - victory over self - and give us the crown of faith so that we never turn from You but move ever forward toward Your heavenly Kingdom. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment