St. Clare was fortunate to know St. Francis of Assisi. In fact, he was her spiritual advisor and something of a father figure in her life. From the time she ran away from her father’s house at age 18, she remained ever true to living the lifestyle that the Franciscan friars were living.
Fr. Don Miller, ORM, from Franciscan Media, writes “you cannot understand Saint Clare without a thorough knowledge of Saint Francis and visa versa. They are the yin and yang of Franciscanism.” (found here, para 19) So let’s consider Franciscanism a little bit today.
So what is a Franciscan Spirituality? There are certain fundamental beliefs that are common to all Christians, and those are the most important. But a particular spirituality might have a difference in emphasis from others, which is often dependent on the personality of the founder of that order. For example, Benedictine spirituality tends to favor the monastic vision attributed to Saint Benedict. Dominicans are known for a teaching and preaching fervor, which is attributed to St. Dominic.
St. Francis was known for his devotion to just “observe the Gospel.” (cited here, para 2) Pius XII further clarifies the Franciscan spirituality saying, “There is, then, a Franciscan doctrine in accordance with which God is holy, is great, and above all, is good, indeed the supreme Good. For in this doctrine, God is love. He lives by love, creates for love, becomes flesh and redeems, that is, he saves and makes holy, for love. There is also a Franciscan way of contemplating Jesus…in his human love.” (same source, para 4)
Well there it is. It’s all about love! I have always been drawn to Franciscan sensibilities, but I never really knew why. I just always felt uplifted and closer to God after hearing a homily or other preaching from a Franciscan priest. In fact, it always felt a little strange to me because the Franciscans have a reputation for being all about nature, and I’m really not what you would call and outdoor girl. I’m allergic to furry critters, so I never really had any close pets, either. So I always wondered why I had such an affinity for the Franciscans. …now I understand.
And I can certainly relate to St. Clare and her devotion to this Franciscan spirituality. I can see why she fought so hard to use it as the rule of life for her sisters. This same article from Franciscan Media describes one of the ways that St. Francis became so dedicated to the message of God as love, and Jesus, as love incarnate. It was when he would go begging, himself, that he experienced what a beggar feels. His observation had to do with the fact that most people would not make eye contact with him when he was begging. Then there were “the few bright-eyed, open people whose eyes were surely the lamps of their whole selves radiating love and goodness and trust.” (para 11)
This explanation makes me understand why Clare fought so hard for the “privilege of poverty,” as we discussed yesterday. If Francis hadn’t adopted a life of poverty, in the model of Jesus and the Apostles, he would have never gone begging. Having done so, he could understand real empathy for the poorest and weakest among us. This is the lesson Clare wanted for herself and for her sisters.
Let me be completely honest, I don’t plan to give up my home and my job and start begging to survive. I also don’t think God is calling me to do so, but I do think He guided me to learn about St. Clare and her Franciscan spirituality to reinforce my instincts about our faith. I am constantly drawn to the idea that it is all about God’s love.
Really, I believe that is the answer to every other question that might arise. When trying to decide how to react or interact with someone, it can always be decided by considering what would be the best way to share God’s love.
Because of my teacher-brain, I am particularly fond of the way this article presented Franciscan spirituality. There were questions for reflection in the middle, including “Why does Francis’s way attract you?” (para 9) That question felt like it was written specifically for me!
Then the best part is that they end the article with a section called “Application to Daily Life,” which I want to share with you here:
- What might the quote “God is love” imply for your worries, your prayer, your work, your family life, and your relationships with others?
- Does the fact that you are attracted to the Franciscan way indicate anything special about your personality?
- This week, try to recall, as often as you can, the simple reality that “God is love.” (para 14)
Dear Lord, thank You for guiding me to the study of Franciscan spirituality today. Our lives are greater when we can focus on Your love, and we are grateful for St. Francis and St. Clare and their teachings that promote this message of love. Please help us to find ways to share Your love in the world. Allow us to be Your hands and Your voice to others who need to feel Your love.