4 Oct 2014 - fools for jesus

But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

What does it mean to be crucified to the world?

Saint Francis shows us. It means not letting things that aren't God take precedence over God himself. Francis is born into wealth and privilege. He abandons them all so that he can follow Jesus without distraction or compromise. Are we called to give away all that we have? Perhaps not. But God is calling many of his people to a greater simplicity. He is calling most of us to be less of the world even as we engage it more fully. We're like an army marching to battle that focuses more on movie nights or traveling entertainers than to the mission. We put a lot of people at risk when we live like this.

We have a hard time seeing ourselves as anything remotely resembling on army on the march.  Understandably, we have a hard time imagining ourselves giving up everything like Francis does even as we admire him for doing it. What is his secret? For one thing, he sees the cost of war. He sees the church of San Damiano falling into ruin. The crucifix within should be a place where the love of heaven is revealed on earth. But instead it is neglected and abandoned. Francis starts by being attentive to this revelation himself. Because he is attentive he is able to hear the LORD speak.

'Francis, go and repair my house which, as you see, is falling into ruin.'

The Church is where God wants to make manifest his love for us. Yet, compared to the graces offered, it is abandoned and falling into ruin. Francis cannot remain idle in a situation like this. But even seeing hearing this call on his life he knows that he is not yet committed enough to do what is asked of him.

So he continues listening. He hears the gospel story about the followers of Christ called to proclaim the kingdom without taking any provisions with them. And rather than just hearing it as an interesting story he experiences profound transformation. Scripture gives him the power to devote himself to his mission.

"He considered how to save his people from ruin, and fortified the city to withstand a seige" but cannot find the answer on his own. He has to realize what his mission is. He does this by listening, by willingness to hear God speak, willingness to see the signs set before him. Even having realized it, he still has to wait and listen for the LORD to show him the way.

Thou dost show me the path of life; in thy presence there is fulness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.

And, to our surprise, Francis lives a life marked by profound joy. We imagine that when we give things up for the kingdom we are surrendering pieces of our happiness. Yet Francis reveals the truth of what the psalmist sings.

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; thou holdest my lot.

Let us seek first the kingdom, fueled by the Holy Spirit. Let us drink deeply of him in the word which calls us onward.