February 23 - Simplicity

February 23 – Simplicity

Francis Bernardone lived a life of great affluence. He was a knight of Assisi and one day while traveling, saw a leper beside the road. Though he usually just rode past, he looked down and saw the face of Christ in this man. He leapt from his horse and kissed the man, giving him money and offering him a ride to his next destination. His life was transformed.

He got himself into a bit of trouble when he sold some of his father’s merchandise to fix a chapel. Dad dragged him into the bishop’s office and while there, Francis gave up any claims to his father’s money and his father disowned him.

His words to his father were, “Until today, I have called you father. Now, I can say onestly, ‘Our Father in heaven.’ … In him alone I place my faith.” He took off his wealthy clothes, picked up a simple brown tunic that he had taken from a farmer’s scarecrow, tied a rope around it and prayed that he would never own anything of his own gain.

Francis began to preach and gained followers who desperately wanted to live simple lives without wealth. He set up the rules that would begin the Franciscan order and then took eleven companions to Rome to ask for approval for his order. Innocent III thought that the rules might be a bit too harsh, but gave them approval.

The reaction in France and Italy was great. People were reacting against the church’s power and wealth. The rich stood in stark contrast to the poor who were left to starve. While many joined the Franciscan order, they were supported by those who didn’t feel that they could sacrifice to such a great extent.

In 1214, a young nun named Clare wanted to live as the Franciscans. While they preached, she and her nuns cared for the sick. The next pope declared that she and her nuns could no longer listen to the Franciscans after Francis died, nor could they embrace poverty. She went on a hunger strike and while she lay dying, Pope Gregory IX backed down and allowed her rules for the community of “Poor Clares” to be approved.