Eager to Love

1. Franciscan mysticism: A universal path to spiritual transformation

Francis and Clare made what most would call negative or disadvantage shimmer and shine by their delight in what the rest of us ordinarily oppose, deny, and fear: things like being small, poor, disparaged, being outside the system of power and status, weakness in any form, or what Francis generally referred to as minoritas.

Universal accessibility: Franciscan spirituality offers a path to spiritual transformation that transcends boundaries of religion, culture, gender, ethnicity, class, or education. It is grounded in the universal elements available to all humans:

• Nature and embodiment
• Solidarity with the cycles of life and death
• The democracy of love
• A God who is near and accessible to all

Alternative orthodoxy: Francis and Clare developed an alternative orthodoxy that emphasized:

• Orthopraxy (correct practice) over orthodoxy (correct belief)
• Paying attention to different things: nature, the poor, humility, the outsider
• De-emphasizing hierarchy, titles, and ostentation
• Living the Gospel rather than just believing it

Transformative power: The Franciscan way transforms by:

• Naming, gathering, suffering, and transforming what is already happening
• Moving beyond dualistic thinking to embrace paradox and unity
• Offering a vision of Christianity that is joyful, simple, and beautiful

2. The integration of the negative: Embracing imperfection and suffering

We must bear patiently not being good…and not being thought good.

Embracing imperfection: Francis and Clare revolutionized spirituality by integrating what most people fear, avoid, or deny:

• Weakness, poverty, and marginalization
• Failure and imperfection
• Suffering and death

Transformative suffering: This approach turns failure and suffering into paths of growth:

• "Dying before you die" as the secret of the saints
• Using obstacles and challenges as opportunities for spiritual development
• Finding strength in vulnerability and humility

Universal belonging: By embracing the negative, Franciscan spirituality offers:

• A way to overcome dualistic thinking and judgment
• A path to unity with all creation, including the "undesirable" parts
• A spirituality that doesn't depend on perfection or superiority

3. Living on the edge of the inside: Simplicity and justice as spiritual practices

Francis and Clare placed themselves outside the system of not just social production and consumption, but ecclesiastical too!

Radical simplicity: Francis and Clare exemplified a life of voluntary poverty and simplicity:

• Rejecting ownership and embracing "simple use" of resources
• Living among the poor and marginalized
• Critiquing systems of power and wealth through their lifestyle

Prophetic witness: Their way of life offered a critique of both church and society:

• Challenging the accumulation of wealth and power
• Emphasizing service and solidarity with the poor
• Demonstrating an alternative to the dominant cultural values

Freedom and justice: The Franciscan approach leads to:

• Liberation from the need for social status and material possessions
• A natural solidarity with all people, especially the marginalized
• A life oriented towards justice and compassion rather than personal gain

4. Nature and the road: Finding the divine in creation and journey

Francis knew that if you can accept that the finite manifests the infinite, and that the physical is the doorway to the spiritual (which is the foundational principle we call "incarnation"), then all you need is right here and right now—in this world.

Sacramental universe: Francis saw all of creation as a manifestation of the divine:

• Nature as the "first Bible" revealing God's presence
• Every creature and element as a "mirror" of the divine
• The physical world as a doorway to spiritual reality

Itinerant spirituality: The Franciscan way emphasizes journey and movement:

• Living "on the road" rather than in fixed monastic settings
• Embracing pilgrimage and mission as spiritual practices
• Finding God in the midst of daily life and encounters

Cosmic awareness: This approach leads to:

• A deep reverence for all of creation
• An ecological consciousness that sees humanity as part of nature
• A spirituality that finds the sacred in the ordinary and everyday

5. Contemplation: A different way of knowing and being

Contemplation gives us an inner capacity to live with paradoxes and contradictions. It is a quantum leap forward in our tolerance for ambiguity, mystery, and paradox.

Non-dual consciousness: Contemplation in the Franciscan tradition cultivates:

• The ability to see beyond dualistic categories of good/bad, sacred/profane
• An awareness of the underlying unity of all things
• A way of knowing that integrates intellect, emotion, and intuition

Transformative practice: Regular contemplative practice leads to:

• A shift in perception that sees God's presence in all things
• The development of compassion and non-judgment
• A deepening capacity for love and union with the divine

Practical mysticism: Franciscan contemplation is not just for monks or hermits:

• It can be practiced in the midst of daily life and work
• It transforms how we relate to others and the world
• It leads to concrete actions of love and service

6. The Cosmic Christ: Uniting Jesus of Nazareth with universal divinity

Christ is eternal; Jesus is born in time. Jesus without Christ invariably becomes a time-bound and culturally bound religion that excludes much of humanity from Christ's embrace.

Universal Christ: The Franciscan tradition emphasizes the cosmic dimension of Christ:

• Christ as the eternal divine presence permeating all creation
• The incarnation as God's full self-revelation in the material world
• Jesus as the personal embodiment of the universal Christ

Inclusive vision: This understanding of Christ leads to:

• A more universal and inclusive spirituality
• Recognition of divine presence beyond Christian boundaries
• A deeper appreciation for the sacredness of all creation

Transformative union: The goal of Franciscan spirituality becomes:

• Personal union with the Cosmic Christ
• Participation in the divine life that permeates all things
• Living out the incarnation in one's own life and actions

7. The legacy of Clare: Living the life of poverty and contemplation

Clare absolutely insisted on "the privilege of not being obliged to receive privileges, the right to live without any rights, the guarantee of living without guarantees."

Radical poverty: Clare embodied and institutionalized Francis's vision of poverty:

• Insisting on the "privilege of poverty" for her community
• Creating a way of life free from ecclesiastical control through wealth
• Demonstrating the freedom that comes from voluntary dispossession

Contemplative depth: Clare developed a contemplative spirituality that:

• Focused on inner transformation through prayer and reflection
• Saw all of creation as a mirror of the divine
• Integrated action and contemplation in daily life

Feminine wisdom: Clare's legacy offers:

• A model of female leadership and autonomy within the Church
• A spirituality that balances masculine and feminine elements
• An emphasis on receptivity and inner freedom as paths to God

8. Bonaventure and Duns Scotus: Developing Franciscan theology and philosophy

For Bonaventure, if Jesus himself was humble and poor, then the pure and simple imitation of Jesus became his life's agenda.

Theological synthesis: Bonaventure developed a comprehensive Franciscan theology:

• Emphasizing the primacy of Christ in creation and salvation
• Seeing all of creation as a reflection of divine goodness
• Integrating intellect and love in the spiritual journey

Philosophical innovation: Duns Scotus contributed key philosophical concepts:

• The "univocity of being," recognizing a fundamental unity in all existence
• The doctrine of "haecceity" or "thisness," valuing individual uniqueness
• A non-violent understanding of atonement and salvation

Lasting influence: Their work shaped Franciscan thought by:

• Providing intellectual foundations for Franciscan spirituality
• Offering alternatives to dominant theological and philosophical systems
• Influencing later developments in Western thought and spirituality

9. Francis as a natural spiritual genius: Embodying love and transformation

If your only goal is to love, there is no such thing as failure.

Embodied spirituality: Francis's genius lay in his ability to:

• Live out the Gospel in radical and visible ways
• Transform abstract teachings into concrete lifestyle choices
• Inspire others through his example more than his words

Revolutionary love: Francis's approach to love was transformative:

• Embracing all creatures, even the most marginalized, as brothers and sisters
• Finding joy and freedom in poverty and simplicity
• Challenging social and ecclesiastical norms through loving action

Ongoing inspiration: Francis continues to attract and transform people by:

• Offering a compelling image of authentic Christian living
• Demonstrating the possibility of radical Gospel love
• Providing a model of joyful, simple, and compassionate spirituality

Last updated: August 2, 2024