The expression “Go with what’s happening” is now a very common phrase. People want to be, look, and act the same because of America’s pop culture. Celebrities and other celebrities are the most influential people in the world. They set the standard for everyone below them. You will be treated differently if you don’t act or follow a specific trend. People who do not follow the crowd are called “outcasts”, rebels, or anyone else unique, and often are ridiculed. This group may be ridiculed for being against the norm, but they are those who are true and happy to live a peaceful existence. This is what happened to St. Francis. He chose to follow Christ and lived in poverty, which led to him becoming an outcast in society. But this was what brought him closer to God. How to get closer to Christ can be learned through St. Francis.
Francis was in Assisia, Umbria in 1181. Pietro Bernardone gave Francis his name, Francesco. Pietro wanted Francis to become a man in business, not a Christian. This tells us straight away that Francis was going be raised in dysfunctional homes where his father was responsible for everything. Francis survived despite the disadvantages and grew up in a comfortable household with lots of money, nice clothes, and plenty of parties. Francis became involved with the wrong crowds which influenced him. Francis later admitted that he “lived a sinful life” during this period. Francis was a successful businessman, just like his father. Francis wanted to be a knight, but he couldn’t fulfill that wish. He would have the prestige and glory he had longed for (Blog). Francis’s second chance at glory was what made him change his life. Francis was on his way towards war when he saw God in a dream. He was told by God that he did not have it right and to return home (Blog). Francis returned to his home and began to search for answers. Francis found the answer in San Damiano’s small, run-down church. He was praying at San Damiano’s foot when Jesus spoke to him. Francis left his father and all his possessions behind and went to church in rags.
Francis’ preaching became more popular and he began to attract followers who desired to purify their spirituality from the material world. One little girl was attracted to the simplicity of the Order of Friars Minor. Like Francis, she ran away from her home and gave up her money and family. St. Clare, a brave girl, was the first woman to follow Francis. Clare had to make the vows that she would be poor, chaste, and obey when she accepted the order. Clare had to have her gorgeous hair cut, her satin-colored gown removed and her expensive shoes removed. Clare was transformed by this experience into Francis. Clare was stripped of his satin gown by Francis before the Bishop, and then put on a woolen rough habit (Clare1,70).
The Franciscan lifestyle’s three main characteristics – poverty, humility, obedience – is constantly highlighted in the actions of members. These characteristics can be found throughout the Admonitions of St. Francis. The Franciscans valued Scripture so St. Francis backs his writings with Scripture. This helps to interpret Scripture in a Franciscan manner and also provides insight into the Order. In his writings about St. Francis, St. Bonaventure also makes use of Scripture. This writing is addressed to those who truly love poverty and are humble. He intends to share his love for poverty and teach people how to honor God’s unfailing mercy. All of these actions are rooted in the principal characteristics of humility, poverty, and obedience.
The Franciscans’ most distinctive characteristic is poverty. Poorty is the main message through the way that the nuns and friars live in accordance with the Order’s literature. St. Francis set out to live his life in the closest possible relationship with Christ, which he did by living in extreme poverty.
His determination to achieve perfection was impossible when he lived by the minimum. Francis didn’t hide his love for God, nor did he shun the lifestyle he led with his friars. Francis “begged the wealthiest people he could find” when he was rebuilding San Damiano. This is only one example of Francis’s devotion to Christ.
St. Francis’ brothers, through extreme poverty, have taught many how they can get closer to Christ. The world is now centered on material goods and poverty today would require a greater sacrifice. Today, poverty doesn’t have to mean being poor with material goods. Instead, it can be described as being poor in the spirit. You can reach Christ through spiritual and material poverty. This can be a long and difficult road, and one might be considered an outsider just like St. Francis. However, despite these difficulties, one should ask: “Will this be my path to Christ?”
