Franciscan Spirituality

Franciscan Spirituality

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

 

Introduction 

St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology, is incredibly relevant today, especially within the context of Environmental Spirituality. The spiritual framework he has laid down about our environment and how to take care of it has some sort of deep connection with nature and is very much aligned with modern ecological concerns. St. Francis’s life and teachings reflected his deep respect for the natural world around him. He considered everything in creation to represent God and frequently referred to them as his brothers or sisters. This understanding stands for an all-encompassing approach towards the environment, thereby nurturing reverence and love for life. Through Brother Sun, Sister Moon, etc., he praised God in his famous “Canticle of the Sun,” indicating an inherent bond between human beings and nature, which is central to Environmental Spirituality.

St. Francis’ path looks like a call to action against environmental degradation. His lifestyle challenges us to move away from anthropocentric views towards eco-centrism. If we do so, we will understand the moral obligation to act because preserving nature is one of the ways we worship God. Pope Francis’ Laudato Si (2015) drew on the saint’s spirituality, addressing urgent environmental challenges and calling for an integral ecology with environmental, economic, and social dimensions.

In the face of today’s climate crisis, the challenge of St. Francis to simple living is vital to sustainable livelihoods. By adopting Franciscan principles, one can reduce consumption levels, cut down on wastage, and reduce the ecological footprint, thus enhancing the earth’s overall health.

St. Francis’s legacy facilitates interfaith dialogue about ecology, encouraging collective spiritual responses towards humanity’s environmental challenges. By integrating his principles, individuals and organizations can foster a culture of respect and care for the earth, aligning spiritual practices with environmental activism.

In conclusion, St. Francis’ teachings on nature and simplicity have profound implications for Environmental Spirituality today. These are invaluable for the spiritual and ethical grounding needed to address ecological crises and foster a harmonious and sustainable relationship with the natural world.

Sermon Notes

Job 1:1; 2:1-10

In Job 1:1, Job is introduced as an innocent and righteous man, setting the stage for the trials he would soon face. This depiction establishes his moral and spiritual integrity, which becomes crucial when Satan accuses him of only being faithful to God because of his prosperity. In Job 2:1-10, despite God allowing Satan to harm Job physically, Job’s steadfastness in suffering proves his genuine faith. St. Francis of Assisi’s life mirrors these qualities of patience and humility. Like Job, St. Francis was born into wealth but later renounced material prosperity, choosing instead to live among the poor and serve God. Voluntary poverty, as embraced by Francis, parallels Job’s involuntary suffering, both demonstrating a rejection of worldly wealth in favour of deeper spiritual insight. Through their trials, both Job and Francis demonstrate unwavering faith in God. Their examples encourage us today to seek spiritual abundance through simplicity and endurance, teaching us that faith and mercy toward others should remain central, no matter what challenges we face in life.

Psalm 26:1-12 

Psalm 26:1-12 is a prayer for vindication and an assertion of integrity before God. The Psalmist, often attributed to King David, expresses his trust in God and rejection of deceitful ways, seeking to secure divine mercy. The life of St. Francis of Assisi exemplifies the principles in this psalm—his humility, simplicity, and faith resonate deeply with the Psalmist’s desire for righteousness. Just as the Psalmist rejected hypocritical associations (Psalm 26:4-5), St. Francis renounced material possessions, living a life marked by sincere worship and service to God. In the same spirit, St. Francis calls us to live lives of integrity, realness, and equity toward others. His concern for marginalized communities and the environment reflects the Psalmist’s love for godliness. His legacy reminds us that living according to God’s will requires not only prayer but also righteous action in how we treat our fellow human beings and the world around us, fostering kindness, truth, and unity.

Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12

Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 speak of the superior nature of Jesus, who is described as the radiance of God’s glory and through whom the world was made. Jesus, though made lower than angels for a time, suffered and tasted death on behalf of humanity, bringing salvation and sanctifying others. St. Francis of Assisi’s life closely reflects these passages. His humility and servant leadership echo the themes of obedience and sacrifice seen in Christ. Francis’ teachings, centred on living out the Gospel through love, poverty, and simplicity, mirror Christ’s humility and sacrificial love. Today, St. Francis’s example calls Christians to humble service, promoting peace, caring for creation, and living in alignment with Christ’s model. His life shows that following Christ involves not just belief but also transformative action in how we live, serve, and care for others.

Mark 10:2-16

In Mark 10:2-16, Jesus addresses issues of marriage, divorce, and the kingdom of God, emphasizing the sanctity of relationships and the child-like faith needed to enter the kingdom. Jesus’ acceptance of children, who represent purity and humility, reflects the values embodied by St. Francis of Assisi. Francis lived a life of radical simplicity, rejecting materialism to focus on God’s will, much like Jesus’ call for simplicity in this passage. Francis’ compassion extended to all of God’s creatures, including animals and marginalized people, mirroring Christ’s acceptance of the vulnerable. Mark 10:2-16, therefore, reminds believers to honour relationships and embrace humility, simplicity, and kindness, as St. Francis did. His life exemplifies the selfless love and service that Jesus emphasized in this passage, offering a model for how to live faithfully and humbly in service to others and to God.

Sermon on Environmental Spirituality:
The Life and Teachings of St. Francis of Assisi

Environmental spirituality is deeply associated with St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology, whose life and teachings still resonate today. St. Francis, born in 1181, lived an ascetic life and fostered a deep love for all of creation. His Canticle of the Sun reflects his reverence for nature, where he regarded all creatures as his brothers and sisters. This attitude is especially relevant in modern times, as the world grapples with environmental crises. St. Francis’ teachings urge us to honour and care for creation by living eco-friendly and sustainable lives.

The trials of Job, highlighted in today’s first reading (Job 1:1; 2:1-10), are echoed in St. Francis’s life. Just as Job remained faithful during suffering, Francis renounced his wealth and embraced a life of poverty and service. Similarly, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 capture Christ’s humility, a theme reflected in Francis’ modesty. In Mark 10:2-16, Jesus calls for child-like openness to God, a principle that St. Francis embodied in his compassion for the weak and vulnerable.

St. Francis’ relevance today, especially in terms of environmental justice, is significant. He is the patron saint of ecology, known for his deep love for nature and his respect for all living things. In a world facing global warming, desertification, and the rapid loss of biodiversity, St. Francis’s teachings challenge us to respect and care for creation. His simple, sustainable lifestyle invites us to rethink how we consume and relate to the world around us.

In the spirit of St. Francis, we are called to practice simplicity, advocate for environmental justice, and cultivate a deep connection with God, others, and creation. His life reminds us that stewardship of the earth is a divine calling, one that we must embrace as we seek to live peacefully and justly with nature. Let us renew our commitment to caring for creation, honouring the legacy of St. Francis, and becoming instruments of peace and caretakers of the earth. Amen.

Additional Reading:

1. Donovan, P. (2014). Saint Francis: Nature Mystic.
2. Armstrong, R. P. (1999). St. Francis of Assisi and Nature.
3. Pope Francis. (2015). Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home.
4. McFague, S. (2008). A New Climate for Theology: God, the World, and Global Warming.
5. Leachman, J. (2011). Franciscan Environmental Ethics.
6. Johnson, E. A. (2014). Ask the Beasts: Darwin and the God of Love.

Share the article:

The Rt. Revd. Vicentia Kgabe (Diocese of Lesotho)

Bishop Vicentia Refiloe Kgabe is the Diocesan Bishop of Lesotho. Before becoming a Bishop, she worked as Rector and Principal of the College of Transfiguration Theological College for seven years. She is a Research Fellow at the Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion and Social Justice. She is the Bishop Protector of the Third Order of St. Francis, African Province.

Revd. Prof. Michael Twum-Darko

Rev. Fr. Prof. Michael Twum-Darko, an ordained Anglican priest since 1997, is the first Black African Minister General of the Third Order of the Society of St. Francis and oversees 3680 members worldwide and serves as Priest-in-charge at Church of the Holy Redeemer, Cape Town.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top