Brother Francis of Assisi
October 4
marks the Feast Day of Brother Francis of Assisi who was able to live an
integrally optimistic life in the following ways:
-He had a
continued search for meaning and God experience
-From
individualistic pursuit after money, pleasure and fame he was transformed into
simple person, loving nature, sick and the needy.
-Went around
the City of Assisi saying: Love was not loved. He created communities of men
and women living in loving friendship and sharing. Although they came from
different economical and social background they were united in spiritual and
fraternal bonding.
-When the
religious hatred and fighting was on the increase in 1219 he went to be with Al
Kamil the Egyptian Sultan. Both of their hearts were connected and they learned
from each other what true spirituality means: Building brotherhood, harmony,
respecting each other’s dignity and value, learning from one another’s rich
spiritual life and working a way for peace.
In 1224, when
he was already sick, blind, earlier years he had also faced opposition from his
own brothers due to ideological differences he had an integral and different
gaze, learned to look at his condition from a new perspective of surrender and
trust in God. His optimism manifested in the writing of the Canticle of the
Creatures. This canticle is interestingly full of praise of God and
thanksgiving. He began to sing that joyfully. Brother Francis grew into this
optimism from the contemplation of the love of Jesus who taught his disciples
to see from God’s perspective.
Whatever may
be our challenges and stark realities instead of getting frustrated, we can
always bounce back with new hope, optimistic initiatives and networking.
Remember to sing and dance celebrating life gratefully because it is a gift of
God.
Support initiatives that proactively attempt to care
for the nature.
Sostenere le iniziative che
tentano in modo proattivo di prendersi cura della natura.
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