Daily Archives: October 4, 2011

Images of St. Francis

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Today is the Feast of St. Francis, when we remember one of the most beloved, and important, figures in the Christian tradition.

Here’s Giotto’s rendering of St. Francis receiving the stigmata:

Our images of St. Francis tend be associated with the Blessing of the Animals:

a photo from Sunday that I didn’t post:

Last night, during “First Monday,” I reflected on St. Francis as well. Although he wasn’t mentioned by anyone, or perhaps even thought of (by anyone but me), we were doing the sort of ministry Francis did, among people with whom Francis ministered.

While he preached to birds and tamed wolves, and even rebuilt churches, Francis was most known for his work among the destitute, the poor, the hungry, and the sick. Although the order he founded quickly became powerful and made its home in universities and other cultural centers, Franciscans also tended the sick and dying.

Our feeding of shelter guests and community last night is one way in which we at Grace seek to serve Christ in all persons, to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and the like. Last night, we were joined by others in the community, some who have become regular volunteers, others who were there for the first time. Among this latter group were members of the Madison Mennonite Church. The band last night was “Off the Porch.”

Here are other images of Franciscan ministry:

The meal had a very different feel, for some reason. Several regular volunteers remarked on the guests’ behavior. We often have brusque, difficult, or demanding guests. Last night, they were friendly, incredibly appreciative, and many lingered long after they had eaten, chatting with friends or volunteers, and listening to the music. It also seemed to me that there was a demographic shift–the percentage of African-Americans seemed lower than in past months, and many of the men looked “middle-class,” by which I mean one could have expected to see them working retail, or in a bank. It was all very odd. Whatever their history, tonight they were here, for a meal, most of them for a bed as well. And for a half-hour or so, they could enjoy some great food, great music, and wonderful hospitality. The spirit of St. Francis was present as well.

Of course, one can’t extrapolate from a single evening. It’s only a snapshot taken on a relatively warm night in early fall.

Thanks to everyone who came, everyone who volunteered, and especially to Metcalfe’s, who helped with the food.

 

Forgiveness in Action

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October 2 was the fifth anniversary of the shocking killings at an Amish schoolhouse in Lancaster County, PA. It wasn’t only the violence that shocked the community and the nation; it was also the immediate response to the shooter’s family by the Amish community. Five years later, those acts of forgiveness continue to inspire.

Here’s a story about the mother of the shooter, who now visits a paralyzed survivor on a weekly basis.

An article from a Mennonite publication on a recent conference that looked back on the event and sought to draw some larger lessons. Don Kraybill, sociologist called the way in which the Amish drew together to help the Roberts family “a moral barnraising.”

It’s a remarkable story, made more remarkable by the almost immediate response by the Amish community to the tragedy. Within hours, Amish neighbors were in the homes of Roberts’ parents, offering them prayers, consolation, and love. The human propensity is to lash out violently when such violence is done; and often the desire for revenge persists indefinitely. But here, healing has taken place; new relationships have been forged, and new hope as well.

There may be few better examples in our culture of people putting the words of Jesus into action.