The Little Friar

St Francis once asked his followers to tie a rope around his neck and lead him around like a donkey. It was an act of public self-mortification peculiar to Francis's spirituality and leadership style. It was his way of combating pride. The other day I was thinking about that incident in Francis's life. I can't speak for every blogger, but I often struggle with self-image and presentation. With what "people think about me". Online and in real life I often struggle with having the last word or the final answer or the correct opinion. Consequently, when a post of mine is criticized for being in error or lacking in nuance or contradictory or not in keeping with my professed values I start to struggle with ego issues. I want to argue back and push back. And my goal in pushing back isn't the pursuit of truth but the restoration of my self-image, mainly in the eyes of others. And if I can't effectively address the concern then I feel like there is this lo...

I first read The Little Flowers of St Francis  when I was in college.  I was one over to his Gospel of kindness and forgiveness.  I've also been following his little way ever since.   Seriously, I'm daily tempted to preach to the birds, to try to convert stray dogs, and to chat with Brother Sun and Sister Moon.  St Francis reminds  me to receive everything around me, from people to the natural world, as an occasion of joy.  Just like Francis did.  So today finds me tempted to regale you with the stories of Francis preaching to birds, or converting the wolf of Gubbio.  But I'll refrain.  Instead, I want to offer a prayer that isn't his, though it's often attributed to Francis, because it's much in his spirit.   Of course, you all know this prayer.  I try to pray it everyday: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where th...

Friday is the Feast Day of St Francis of Assissi.  That means any number of churches will be hosting services of prayers of blessings for animals.  It's such a significant counter-cultural act, I think, that a little meditation is in order.  This year, Kendra has asked that I bless our three cats.  But why? Let's be honest.  Some folks probably see Christians blessing critters as little more than a gimmick.  But for us -- as we prepare to begin a life together in Christian marriage -- it's a way of celebrating that these three "pets" are very much a part of our family.  Through them and in them, we experience God's good love.   And that love is a direct challenge to a wrong-headed cultural bias that being Christian is just a matter of the interior life.  Somehow we've adopted a world-denying concept of being Christian.  I say wrong-headed , because being Christian is very much a world affirming  protest.  Meeting God in Christ ...