Francis of Assisi was born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone to a wealthy silk merchant in either late 1181 or early 1182. His father was in France when he was born and christened. Upon his return he started calling him Francesco (it means "the Frenchman") because his business with France had been quite successful and he liked all things French. Francesco was typical of a wealthy young man of the time and even became a soldier. After spending a year in captivity and then a serious illness in 1204 he had a spiritual crisis. You can read a short biography of his life HERE.
In the introduction to this book Murray Bodo explains what he feels is the message of St. Francis' life: Our need to be purer vessels for holding all that God is lavishly pouring into us. Francis felt the way to achieve this was through living the Gospel.
He is best known for this prayer:
Bodo writes concerning the above prayer where Francis says, "For it is in giving that we receive". . . ."but that can only be prayed well by one who knows that it is only 'in receiving that we give.' For God has first loved us, and given himself to us, and that is what we learn from the mystics like St. Francis, who are brave enough to close their eyes and lips and listen. Then what begins to rise in us is that which has been lifted up by him who comes in love, and what he lifts up is the heart itself, rising from within to meet the Love descending to embrace it." Bodo explains that the time Francis spent in meditation and prayer enabled him to serve those in need without regard for himself just as Jesus did.
I hope you will join me on this journey as I seek to live more simply and more humbly.
