Tag Archives: Francis of Assisi
One World
Franciscan Way: Part One One World Monday, September 30, 2019 I hope to show what Francis of Assisi clearly changed and did differently and what flowed from his unique wholeness. We will see that Francis was at once very traditional and entirely new in the ways of holiness—a paradox. He stood barefoot on the earth… Continue Reading One World
Discovering Anew
Franciscan Way: Part One Discovering Anew Sunday, September 29, 2019 St. Francis of Assisi (1182–1226) was a master of making room for the new and letting go of that which was tired or empty. His first biographer described Francis as always hopeful, always new, always beginning again. [1] Much of Francis’ genius was that he… Continue Reading Discovering Anew
The Face of the Other
Jesus: Human and Divine The Face of the Other Thursday, January 31, 2019 St. Francis of Assisi (1181–1226) brought attention to the humanity of Jesus. Prior to St. Francis, Christian paintings largely emphasized Jesus’ divinity, as they still do in most Eastern icons. Francis is said to have created the first live nativity. Before the… Continue Reading The Face of the Other
Belief or Discipleship?
Following Jesus Belief or Discipleship? Tuesday, January 22, 2019 I often say that we do not think ourselves into a new way of living, but we live ourselves into a new way of thinking. I’m not suggesting that theory and theology are unimportant; but I believe that faith is more about how we live on… Continue Reading Belief or Discipleship?
Perennial Wisdom
Perennial Tradition Perennial Wisdom Monday, July 30, 2018 No one lives outside the walls of this sacred place, existence. The holy water, I need it upon my eyes: it is you, dear, you—each form. What mother would lose her infant—and we are that to God, never lost from [Her] gaze are we? Every cry of… Continue Reading Perennial Wisdom
The Economy of War
Economy: Week 2 The Economy of War Tuesday, July 3, 2018 My spiritual father, St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), was a nonviolent and “soft” prophet—keeping God free for people and people free for God—during a pivotal period when Western civilization was moving into rationality, consumerism, and nonstop war. Francis himself was a soldier and his… Continue Reading The Economy of War
Discernment versus Decision Making
Vocation Discernment versus Decision Making Thursday, May 31, 2018 The holiness of Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), like all holiness, was unique and never merely a copy or imitation. In his Testament, he tells his brothers, “No one showed me what I had to do,” [1] and then, at the very end of his life, he… Continue Reading Discernment versus Decision Making
New Images Help Us See New Realities
Art: Week 1 New Images Help Us See New Realities Tuesday, May 15, 2018 Let there be light. —Genesis 1:3 The light of divine revelation . . . pierces but does not castigate the darkness. —Barbara Holmes [1] Just as Pope Francis has catalyzed a worldwide imaginal change today, Francis and Clare of Assisi created… Continue Reading New Images Help Us See New Realities
Franciscan Feminism
Gender and Sexuality: Week 2 Franciscan Feminism Thursday, April 26, 2018 While my religious order is far from perfect, I appreciate how Franciscanism has in so many subtle ways honored and embraced the feminine side of things. One scholar rightly says that St. Francis “without having a specific feminist program . . . contributed to… Continue Reading Franciscan Feminism
Love Needs a Face
Jesus of Nazareth: Week 1 Love Needs a Face Monday, January 15, 2018 It was probably St. Francis of Assisi (c. 1182-1226) who first brought attention to the humanity of Jesus within organized Christianity. During its first thousand years, the Church was mainly concerned with proving that Jesus was God. Prior to St. Francis, paintings… Continue Reading Love Needs a Face