Francis of Asisi

 Francis was a beggar and poet. His father was in commerce, and Francis was a soldier. Yet he decided to devote his life to Christ. He did this by preaching the Gospel to all of creation. His successor Anthony would even preach to fish. Francis too is associated with animals. Many non-Catholics even show reverence to him by displaying a statue of him in their gardens. Francis was not a 60’s hippy. Rather he was a man touched by the Gospel.

He roamed the streets of the Italian villages and towns and cities and country begging for food. Not only for himself but for the other poor. A man would give him a half eaten piece of bread or chicken and he would hold it out, showing it to the poor to come take and eat. If they would not eat then he would huddle in the corner and eat. After all a man has to eat.

Yet there’s something poetic about Francis life. It’s not disgusting and repulsive. It’s moving. It’s difficult. It’s against the grain. It’s what attracts men and women to Franciscan religious orders. It’s what makes philosophers stop and awe over his life. What touched him? He did not will to be poor as a political statement. What touched him to live such a radical life? What beauty is this?