Audio Course: St. Francis of Assisi: A New Way of Being Christian
Blog Author: Br. William Short
Yes, it was snowing in Milwaukee yesterday as we headed toward the airport. When I arrived in San Francisco four hours later, it was 75 degrees. But the trip was not just about differences in weather: I was meeting with the Sponsored Ministries of the School Sisters of St. Francis, headquartered in Milwaukee, to talk about the way that Assisi is connected with Milwaukee. 60 members of various ministries linked to the School Sisters were present to learn about the ways in which lay men and women can cultivate in their work the “way of the Gospel” shown to us by Francis and Clare. We had people from centers offering services to seniors, neighborhood development groups, educational institutions, and even artists and musicians. We told the story of “Perfect Joy,” in which St. Francis instructs Br. Leo about how to deal with disasters of various kinds (everybody could relate to that one!) And it led us to reflect on how we measure success: by the measure of our competitive society? or by the measure of the Gospel? The results really come out differently!
I am now back at Mission San Miguel, mulling over this chilly but beautiful weekend in the Midwest. Around here we are facing many of the same questions: how can we do the important work the Lord gives to us in a way that preaches through deeds, not just through words. It is a point worth considering. If the Word became flesh, as we believe, in Jesus of Nazareth, every word that we say about Him needs to find some visible expression in a gesture, an action, a deed — what we used to call “good example.” When I was growing up, my Mom had a cutting from a Parish Bulletin from Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Seattle which she had taped to the refrigerator door (in the days before refrigerator magnets). I still remember its faded calligraphy: “Be careful how you live. You may be the only book on Christianity some people will ever read.”
May the Lord make us good reading.