Enjoy today's meditation on St. Francis, the beggar. 🙌
Dear John, Today’s Pause+Pray about detachment was a wonderful reminder to me of a core Franciscan spiritual practice that has often gotten lost in Western Christianity. Francis not only detached from material possessions as he followed Lady Poverty, but he also detached from his judgments (like his original ideas about lepers and Muslims) and from things that he knew would boost his ego (like knowledge and popularity). I am reminded by today’s prayer that anything outside of God and love that I am attaching myself to in order to convince myself of my wholeness will ultimately leave me feeling more anxious and grasping for more control. The spiritual discipline of detachment invites dependency on God and freedom as we rest in our unshakable identities in Christ. With your support, we can provide more resources that celebrate our brothers and sisters in faith. Please consider a donation to Franciscan Media today! |
Stephen Copeland Book Editor, Franciscan Media |
Saint of the Day for October 18: Luke (d. c. 84) Listen to Saint Luke’s Story Here Luke wrote one of the major portions of the New Testament, a two-volume work comprising the third Gospel and Acts of the Apostles. In the two books he shows the parallel between the life of Christ and that of the Church. He is the only Gentile Christian among the Gospel writers. Tradition holds him to be a native of Antioch, and Paul calls him “our beloved physician.” His Gospel was probably written between 70 and 85 A.D. Luke appears in Acts during Paul’s second journey, remains at Philippi for several years until Paul returns from his third journey, accompanies Paul to Jerusalem, and remains near him when he is imprisoned in Caesarea. During these two years, Luke had time to seek information and interview persons who had known Jesus. He accompanied Paul on the dangerous journey to Rome where he was a faithful companion. Luke’s unique character may best be seen by the emphases of his Gospel, which has been given a number of subtitles:
1) The Gospel of Mercy
2) The Gospel of Universal Salvation
3) The Gospel of the Poor
4) The Gospel of Absolute Renunciation
5) The Gospel of Prayer and the Holy Spirit
6) The Gospel of Joy Reflection Luke wrote as a Gentile for Gentile Christians. His Gospel and Acts of the Apostles reveal his expertise in classic Greek style as well as his knowledge of Jewish sources. There is a warmth to Luke’s writing that sets it apart from that of the other synoptic Gospels, and yet it beautifully complements those works. The treasure of the Scriptures is a true gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church. Saint Luke is the Patron Saint of: Artists/Painters
Brewers
Butchers
Notaries
Physicians/Surgeons
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Beggar, Mystic, Man of God Francis had noticed that when he went begging, few people looked into his eyes. They seemed to avoid eye contact, either from fear or contempt. There were, of course, the few bright-eyed, open people whose eyes were surely the lamps of their whole selves radiating love and goodness and trust. It was marvelous how people became who they really were once you reached out your hand to them in the gesture of the beggar. Even the insight into people he had gained in his father’s shop paled when compared to what he learned begging in the streets of Assisi. So often the veneer of respectability would be sloughed off and something like a monster would emerge, cursing and destroying you with the venom of words and gestures. It was an experience only beggars understood. From these harrowing experiences Francis determined to be always on the outside what he was on the inside. He knew that some of the brothers felt he overdid this obsession with sincerity, but Francis feared duplicity and hypocrisy more than anything. It was against hypocrisy that Jesus had railed again and again in the Gospels, and Francis was sure Jesus would never speak harshly against anything unless it spoiled the human heart and made the Holy Spirit’s entry there impossible. —from the book Francis: The Journey and the Dream
by Murray Bodo, OFM |
Learning to Let Go Reflect Detachment from material possessions and earthly desires is a core principle of Franciscan spirituality. St. Francis embraced poverty to free himself from the distractions of wealth and status. By practicing detachment, we can focus more on our spiritual growth and relationship with God. Pray God of simplicity,
Teach us to let go of our attachment to material things.
Help us to find contentment in you alone
and to seek spiritual riches over worldly wealth.
May we, like St. Francis, embrace a life of simplicity and devotion.
Amen. Act Identify areas in your life where material attachments hinder your spiritual growth. Take steps to simplify and declutter, focusing instead on nurturing your relationship with God and serving others. Today’s Pause+Pray was written by Paul Lipowski. Learn more here! |
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