As the crusades came to a close, time came for a much needed reform. Pope Innocent III led the efforts to reform the papacy and supported efforts to teach and care for the poor. He also rebuked kings and emperors who tried to interfere with the election of bishops and abbots. He also shunned all forms of profiteering by the clergy, such as the selling relics and sought to be vigilant against heresy.
ST. FRANCIS
St. Francis was a product of this time period. He was born and raised in a wealthy family but felt God leading him away from a life of luxury. He instead devoted himself to the service of the poor. He also took literally the biblical text about leaving all to follow Christ.
He was a man of joy who was known to sing as he walked from place to place. He dedicated his life to preaching and teaching God’s word, prayer and service near his hometown. He also had a band of followers who were drawn to him because of his remarkable charisma and purity.
AN IMPORTANT LESSON LEARNED FROM ST. FRANCIS
St. Francis knew first hand that money does not bring lasting happiness. He and his followers proved that joy can be attained and maintained with very little. Historians Matthew Price and Michael Collins said of Francis, “He was utterly selfless, joyful, impractical, and whole hearted in his love for his Lord…He wrote some of the greatest of all prayers, which express an ardent desire to live for Christ” (115).
St. Francis not only experienced lasting joy in God, but also devoted his life to share that experience with others. Francis poured his life into other people and demonstrated to them that nothing was better than a right relationship with God through Christ. He spent his days caring for the poor and preaching the Gospel in the common language so that the poorest and most uneducated of people could understand. Price and Collins explained, “(St. Francis and his followers) nursed the sick, especially lepers (whom others shunned—it was the most feared of illnesses), held their own church services, prayed through the night, (and) slept in the open or in rough shelters (114). They also affirmed, “(The Franciscans), following the example of their leader, were so joyful and cheerful that they were called “God’s jesters” (114-115).
Many fail to realize that no created thing can bring lasting happiness. It is impossible for a perishable thing to bring joy that lasts. God has created us for lasting joy that is found only in Him. When we seek to find happiness in earthly perishable things, we allow ourselves to be content with far less than what God intends.
ST. FRANCIS
St. Francis was a product of this time period. He was born and raised in a wealthy family but felt God leading him away from a life of luxury. He instead devoted himself to the service of the poor. He also took literally the biblical text about leaving all to follow Christ.
He was a man of joy who was known to sing as he walked from place to place. He dedicated his life to preaching and teaching God’s word, prayer and service near his hometown. He also had a band of followers who were drawn to him because of his remarkable charisma and purity.
AN IMPORTANT LESSON LEARNED FROM ST. FRANCIS
St. Francis knew first hand that money does not bring lasting happiness. He and his followers proved that joy can be attained and maintained with very little. Historians Matthew Price and Michael Collins said of Francis, “He was utterly selfless, joyful, impractical, and whole hearted in his love for his Lord…He wrote some of the greatest of all prayers, which express an ardent desire to live for Christ” (115).
St. Francis not only experienced lasting joy in God, but also devoted his life to share that experience with others. Francis poured his life into other people and demonstrated to them that nothing was better than a right relationship with God through Christ. He spent his days caring for the poor and preaching the Gospel in the common language so that the poorest and most uneducated of people could understand. Price and Collins explained, “(St. Francis and his followers) nursed the sick, especially lepers (whom others shunned—it was the most feared of illnesses), held their own church services, prayed through the night, (and) slept in the open or in rough shelters (114). They also affirmed, “(The Franciscans), following the example of their leader, were so joyful and cheerful that they were called “God’s jesters” (114-115).
Many fail to realize that no created thing can bring lasting happiness. It is impossible for a perishable thing to bring joy that lasts. God has created us for lasting joy that is found only in Him. When we seek to find happiness in earthly perishable things, we allow ourselves to be content with far less than what God intends.
Price, Matthew and Michael Collins. The Story of Christianity: 2,000 Years of Faith. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers. 1999. 114-115.
