Episode Transcript  

One

The Origin

Today is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. When he was a young man, Francis had a dream that his home changed into a great palace filled with shields, armor, swords and banners. On all this war equipment glittered a red cross. As he wandered the halls a beautiful but poorly clad young woman appeared and clasped his hand tightly and said to him, “Francis, my beloved, all this is for you and for your companions. Take up your arms.” Francis misinterpreted the dream. The poorly clad young woman was Lady Poverty; the companions were Franciscans, and the weapons well, God had other weapons in mind: prayer, penance and preaching. But Francis missed the point and went off to war and was captured. Thankfully, God does not give up on us when we miss the point.

After his release, Francis came to the broken-down church of St. Damian, barely more than rubble. He fell on his knees before the Crucifix in the silence. Jesus spoke, saying, “Rebuild my Church. It is falling down.” Again, Francis misunderstood. He began rebuilding the little stone chapel of St. Damian. It was a good start, but God had something much bigger in mind. Men began following Francis and his way of life. When there were twelve, they went to the Pope for his approval. The night before, the Pope had a strange dream. The Pope dreamt he saw the Church falling apart, and when it was about to fall into pieces, a small man came up, put his shoulder against the building and with one shove he set the Church back on its foundations like new. When the Pope saw Francis, he knew this was the man from the dream. He approved their way of life, and they became the Franciscans. And they did go on to renew the Church.

If you feel you have not done what God wanted with your life, don’t despair. God has not given up on you. He can even use your misunderstandings and mistakes to lead you toward your true mission. The past is gone, but God is present now. Offer yourself to Him again and ask: What is God asking me to do now, with the life and circumstances He has given me today?

Two

Crusade

In the early 1200s, the 5th Crusade was happening in Egypt. Francis decided the best way to bring an end to the fighting was to convert the Muslim Sultan to Christianity. So, he and Br. Illuminato joined the Crusade, sailed to Egypt and joined the Crusaders outside the Muslim-held city of Damietta.

Upon arrival Francis and Illuminato walked straight up to enemy lines requesting to see the Sultan Malik al-Kamil. The Muslim soldiers were so dumfounded by these two small, unarmed Christians, that they did not immediately kill them. They even granted their request to take them to the Sultan. However, there was one rule, if you were granted permission to approach the Sultan and you don’t, you will be put to death. The Sultan attempted to test Francis. He spread crosses on the ground covering the way to the throne, believing Francis would not step on the Cross. But Francis boldly stepped on the crosses as he approached the Sultan who promptly ridiculed him for desecrating his sacred image. Francis replied, “There were three crosses on Calvary, I stepped on the other two.” This courage and wit so captivated the Sultan that they ended up having many conversations and a surprising friendship grew. However, the Sultan would not convert. But Francis was persistent.

Three

A Holy Competition

Seeing that he was making no progress, Francis proposed a trial by fire: he and the Muslim religious leaders would enter the flames, and God would reveal the true faith. When they refused, Francis offered to enter the fire alone. The Sultan would not permit it, (I think he believed Francis could do it) and he was deeply moved by Francis’ courage and faith.

A beautiful later Franciscan tradition tells us that the Sultan said to Francis, “Brother Francis, most willingly would I be converted to the faith of Christ; but I fear to do so now, for if my people knew it, they would kill both me and you and your companion. You have much good to accomplish, and I have certain affairs of great importance to finish. But teach me how I can be saved, and I am ready to do as you tell me.”

To this Francis answered, “My lord, I will take leave of you for the present; but after I have returned to my own country, when I shall be dead and gone to heaven, by the grace of God, I will send you two of my friars, who will baptize you and you will be saved. In the meantime, remove all sin from your life and live the way of goodness and virtue so that, when the grace of God arrives, you will be found ready to receive it.”

Four

Friendship is the Bridge

Years passed, Francis died and the Sultan, having fallen ill, awaited the fulfillment of the promise of St Francis, and placed guards in all the passes, ordering them if they met two brothers in the habit of St Francis to conduct them immediately to him. At the same time St. Francis appeared to two of his friars and ordered them without delay to go to the Sultan and save his soul, according to the promise he had made him.

The two set out, and having crossed the sea, were conducted to the Sultan by the guards he had sent out to meet them. The Sultan, when he saw them arrive, rejoiced greatly, and exclaimed, “Now I know Allah has sent his servants to save my soul.” After receiving Baptism, his soul was saved, and he died in the Peace of Christ.

The Crusades attempted to recover the Holy Places through military force, but their victories did not endure. Francis showed another way. He crossed the battle lines unarmed, encountered Sultan Malik al-Kamil personally, and built a bridge of friendship.

Francis did not live to see where that path would lead. But his sons followed the way he had shown them. Through patience, sacrifice, diplomacy, and peaceful relationships with Muslim rulers, the Franciscans eventually gained access to the Holy Places and were entrusted with their care, a mission they continue to this day.

What armies could not secure by force, the sons of Francis obtained through friendship. Francis teaches us that we do not bring people to Christ by overpowering them. We cross the distance between us, encounter them personally, and build a bridge of friendship over which Christ can pass.

Five

Faith comes through friendship.

St. Francis of Assisi once told a brother who was struggling with doubts, “Do not be troubled brother, but through friendship learn faith.” Francis had a way of life, and he invited people to live it with him. We have a Simple Way of Life: Friendship, Good Conversation and the Rosary. Invite people into it.

Where you live create an atmosphere of hospitality, friendship and good conversation, in your kitchen, living room, deck, garage, by the pool, wherever. Invite people into this space, offer them something to drink or eat. Nobody cares if your house looks like Pinterest, in fact, if your home is too neat and clean it is not hospitable, it looks like no one lives there. The devil wants to stop you by this temptation. Don’t freak out about putting out a big spread, just offer what you have in your fridge and pantry

Above all else, it’s important to remember that conversion takes time. St. Francis may have converted the Sultan, but it happened long after his death. So be patient and leave it to God. Then invite them to encounter Christ through Mary in the Rosary.

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