like francis

i was all set to take a trip to assisi in a few months, but events conspired to throw that off the rails. if i ever get to go i hope to hear more stories about st. francis who has always intrigued me. legend has it francis was born into a wealthy family but one day encountered a beggar (who i think had previously terrified francis) and saw in him the image of Christ. from that day on francis renounced his family's wealth, perhaps even stripping off his clothes in front of his cloth merchant father. francis then went on to live the life of a beggar and to serve the poor.

the other day i was ending up some travels in my hometown, and i went to eat at a sub shop. inside was a girl's softball team. one of the team moms was in front of me in line, and i experienced maybe the opposite of what francis did. her behavior in that short time might have robbed from me any future ability to really see anything Christ-like in a certain section of the population. she seemed to be the embodiment of those who serve manna. there was no kindness in her shown to the girls on the softball team or the staff working at the restaurant. she was actually very rude to everyone. her children's names were attempts at outdoing others in trendiness. i simply found it almost impossible to consider loving her because it seemed she cared nothing about love, compassion, sacrifice. she only cared about herself and victory.

i've lived a fairly privileged life, like francis' up to a point. and i'm not close to being able to sell everything i have and give the money to the poor (which i think Jesus actually wants us to do, not just be able to do). but i think i'm ready to call the old tale i've heard in the Church for so long about how the rich are as needy as the poor nothing more than a lie that i refuse to perpetuate. all the symptoms of being rich that are always trotted out (loneliness, depression, stress, etc.) can be alleviated very simply: stop being rich. stop believing that God wants you to be rich in anything other than love and communion with others. realize why Jesus had no possessions and no home.

francis gave his life for the poor, and i often wish i could follow in the same way. but i now belong to an order of clergy where i agree to go where i'm sent. in this way, success often means ending up at very wealthy churches and likely tending to the "problems" associated with wealth. i will seek to love people no matter where i'm sent, but i'm already praying that i'll be more often in ministry with the poor who are not so blinded by possessions and property that they can no longer see Christ.