St. Francis of Assisi – More Than an “Eco-Warrior”
Part 3: Heroes of Faith Help Show Us the Way
A family of quail hangs out around our house. A couple days ago, I exited the French door leading from our family room to the patio, and two members of the quail family were walking on the patio stones.
Rather than moving, I spoke gently to these lovely, feathered creatures with the endearing apostrophe tufts on the top of their heads. Both stood still as if they grasped my tender words. When I said, “Okay, now, I’ve got to go pick some tomatoes,” and exited the house, they decided it was time for them to move on as well.
One of the quail family on our fence.
This brief encounter reminded me of St. Francis of Assisi, who felt there was an intimate “family” connection between all creation and God, The Creator.
Elizabeth Finnis cautions people who might consider St. Francis a 21st Century “eco-warrior,” that they are missing his spiritual depth and gift. “If we view Creation only in terms of ecology, nature, botany and biology” Finnis says, “we see ourselves apart from God’s Creation, instead of being a part of His Creation – exclusive rather than inclusive.”[i]
I believe St. Francis’ view of the earth’s resources, as well as all its inhabitants, embraces a sacred, socially sensitive, and scientifically sound perspective, which I find loving and logical.
This perspective challenges me to be a good steward in terms of simple environmental acts such as littering, recycling, and composting. Francis reminds me to allow creation to elicit a “Wow!” in my soul that ignites wonder and worship when I see a sunset, behold light glistening on a snow-capped mountaintop, or watch crashing waves of an incoming tide. Francis’ example encourages me to be generous to those less fortunate and to bless with my excess rather than simply collecting and hoarding more “stuff.” And when I feel kind of silly talking to the birds, I can imagine St. Francis’ approving “thumbs- up!”
If you are interested in learning more about St. Francis of Assisi’s connection to creation, you may want to listen to The Canticle of the Creatures, which can be found at the website cited in this post’s “End Notes.”
I loved this statue of St. Francis with a sweet little bird, which I believe is located on the grounds of the San Damiano Monastery in Assisi, Italy.
Another artist’s rendition of St. Francis, this time with a little child. One of my favorite characteristics of Jesus is the way he loved and honored little children, and it’s easy to imagine Francis doing likewise.
Ron photographed a Franciscan monk, friar, or priest [I don’t know how to distinguish the difference] in deep conversation on a typical street in Assisi.
I hope you’ll want to join me in a week for one more glimpse of this 13th Century Christian saint. Until then,
Blessings on your journeys,
[i] http://franciscanseculars.com/the-canticle-of-the-creatures/