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Simple Samples from our Franciscan Heritage
According to the Holy Gospel ...Poverty – dependence on God – sharing the little we have – fraternity – for Francis these are linked as part of the one reality of a Gospel way of life. Even satisfying the basic human need for food had its proper place in Francis’ life of penance. A Fine Stone Table and a Clear Spring One day when St Francis and Brother Masseo were going on a preaching journey they begged for food in a village along the way. Masseo, being tall and good-looking, was given much more bread than the small, insignificant Francis. They combined the alms they had received, however, and outside the village they came to a spring, beside which there was a broad flat stone. With evident delight Francis said:
Francis’ pleasure in this meal shows us something of his attitude towards food, which he received with thankfulness as a gift from God. It would have been unthinkable for him to complain about what he received. We find a number of references to food in Francis’ writings. Fasting was taken for granted as part of his way of life and was prescribed in the Rule, though this was not to be a rigid law: Francis expected it to be set aside in case of necessity. He did not set overly detailed prescriptions about food for his brothers, as they were to travel about in the service of the Gospel, and
Celebration of Christmas Francis saw sharing food as a way of celebrating. He was shocked at the thought that Christmas Day could be thought of as a day of abstinence (in a year when it fell on a Friday). He wanted everyone to eat meat that day – and in typical dramatic exaggeration declared that the very walls should have meat smeared over them to share in the celebration! (2 Cel 199) A Farewell Meal When Francis was close to death the brothers gathered around him. As always, the events of Jesus’ life were vivid in Francis’ memory and thoughts, so as a farewell to the sorrowing friars he asked for some bread to be brought. He blessed it, and had a brother break it in pieces to share among them. (Mirror of Perfection 88) Setting the World on Fire Another famous meal described in the Little Flowers of St Francis is the one Francis and Clare are said to have shared at the Portiuncula. On this occasion Francis and Clare began to talk of God and were so caught up in the fire of divine love that the entire region seemed to be ablaze. The townsfolk of Assisi, rushing to put out the fire, found the saints and their companions rapt in contemplation of God (Little Flowers 15) Perhaps one day we will set the world on fire as we share the love of God in our communities. Our Way of Life Sharing food together is a daily experience of our Franciscan life. Our food is a gift of God’s Providence – it is also an opportunity for self-discipline. Following Francis’ example, our meals will be joyful occasions when we experience our mutual dependence and celebrate God’s loving care of us.
Next: Joy and Perfect Joy
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© Missionary Franciscan Sisters, Australian Governance Circle |
