Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Saint Francis


I am reading a book called "Heroic Lives," (by Rafael Sabatini, published in 1934) and one of the sections of the book is dedicated to St. Francis. I was climbing stairs today and reading, when one of my knees suddenly gave a painful twinge of warning. So I decided to go do some low-impact stretching instead, and to try to find a free computer somewhere in order to post several paragraphs from the book that really touched me. Here we go (from pgs 72 and 73):

"He was greeted first in his native Assisi with mockery and insult. Scorned as a madman, he was derided, pelted with filth, even beaten, all of which he bore as so many favours bestowed upon him.

"He preached a simple gospel of love that could be understood by all, and presently, before the inspired fervour of his words, supported by the example of humility, charity and self-denial which his life was become, mockery was gradually silenced, and the Assisians came in ever-increasing numbers to listen to his message. Passionately sincere in his please that men should give up ill-gotten gains, renounce all enmities and prevail by gentleness and love, he bewildered his audiences by no exegitical subtleties, propounded no doctrines. He spoke to them in their own simple language of simple things which they could understand and which were concerned with their own simple lives. He stripped Christianity naked of all theology in which it was swaddled, lost, and stifling, and held it up to them in its pure irresistable loveliness.

"Little by little, the people came to discover in his words that spiritual nourishment for which all men crave, but which there had been practically no one to dispense to them. He touched the hearts and awakened the souls of his audiences. A people brutalized by ignorance or corrupted by false culture, a people who knew not where to seek happiness save in the will-o'-the-wisp of pleasure, were made to realize the joys that may irradiate lives lived for others, the peace and tranquillity that may so be won."

(I find this excerpt so amazingly lovely, humbling, and inspiring, that I know I'll be reading and re-reading it for some time to come.)

(Photo from the Internet)

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Being visited by God is a life changing revelation, is often prayed for...actually walking out the implications of that life transforming encounter, is an entirely different reality. He is inspiring.

Mel said...

"actually walking out the implications of that life transforming encounter, is an entirely different reality." Boy, isn't that the truth.

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Mel:)

Very inspiring post.

Christianity was spread by sacrifice, denial and martyrdom. Many followers were persecuted and gave up their lives for Jesus.

Many thanks for sharing this wonderful post.

Best wishes:)
Joseph

FCB said...

Hi Mel,
I can see why you chose to share this piece, I love every line. So much like Christ himself. I think this is why Mother Teresa had such world-wide admiration. I love to be encouraged to reduce my religion down to simple devotion to God and love for man. This post illustrates that so well. Love it.
Fred

Mel said...

Hi Joseph,

Yes, Christianity was spread by all of those things. And also, it was spread by a deep and abiding strength of pure love. In the early days of the church, everyone knew that they may be martyred for their faith, and yet the church grew by leaps and bounds, and people remained faithful to the end... What happened to that solidarity, I wonder?

Hi Fred,

Glad you liked it, I knew you would! :) I like those same things, seeing how people before me have lived out the "loving God, loving people" theme in their own creative ways and their own unique circumstances. It seems to get more complicated as the world gets older and more full of people. Thank God we've got His help as we face these daunting but exciting times!

God bless you both, abundantly!

In Christ,
Mel