A World of Joy and St Francis
“Study always to have Joy, for it befits not the servant of God to show before his brother or another sadness or a troubled face” (St Francis.)
St Francis was a Christian saint filled with joy and passing on joy to all he met, human or animal. He was the originator of the nativity scene and invited live animals into the creche.
A famous story has St. Francis talking to a wolf who had killed many people in a town. The townspeople planned to kill the wolf. St. Francis talked to the wolf, telling him to stop killing anyone. The wolf obeyed and from then on, the town’s people fed the wolf as a pet.
St Francis was renowned for his insistence on joy. One of his famous sayings is “Study always to have Joy, for it befits not the servant of God to show before his brother or another sadness or a troubled face.”
“God always chooses the weak and the absurd, and those who count for nothing,” Francis continued. We are challenged to use our nothingness in service as he did. “There is no use in walking anywhere to preach if your walking isn’t your preaching.”
Francis was asked once, “What then is true joy?” Francis, smiling, elaborated: “If I were to return in the dead of a wintry night, muddy and with icicles hanging from my habit and bloodying my legs, and in such a state come to the friary and be turned away and abused by my own brethren, left to stand in the cold, and yet was able to remain patient and at peace, ‘there would be true joy in this and true virtue and the salvation of the soul’” (Francis and Clare, The Complete Works, p. 166).
What is remarkable about his response is his witness to radicalness and poverty. Francis abandoned earthly comfort and embraced the Cross of Christ. True joy is in immersing ourselves into the heart of the Crucified Christ.
The Franciscan order, following the joy of St Francis, was the first to meditate on the earthly joys of Mary, settling on seven joys: the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, the Adoration of the Magi, the Recovery of Jesus, the Resurrection and the Assumption.
Christian joy is a gift we receive from God that helps us become like little children again. Saints are people of joy. St Francis grew to sainthood by leaving behind earthly things and focusing on things of God. His love of lepers is an example.
Francis was revolted by the sight of a leper. One day as he was riding past a leper, he was moved to dismount, embrace, and kiss the leper tenderly on the lips. Francis realized he had just embraced Christ in the leper.
Francis’ conversion was not easy or simple. He acknowledged that he was a sinner worse than most. “I have been all things unholy. If God can work through me, He can work through anyone,” Francis said. “God could not have chosen anyone less qualified, or more of a sinner, than I.”
Francis challenges us to serve with joy. “Study always to have Joy, for it befits not the servant of God to show before his brother or another sadness or a troubled face.”
“Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received – only what you have given: a full heart, enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage.”
(583 words)
