41. Report - I see ASSISI...

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ASSISI - the goal of the long pilgrimage, the famous hometown of Francis, one of the greatest saints in Christendom. 800 years ago he was the fun-loving son of a very wealthy family. But there was a gradual conversion. The peak was that he stripped naked in the square in front of the cathedral and gave the clothes back to his father. ‘From now on, I will follow Heavenly Father. He takes care of me.’

When I read this part of his biography as a young man, my heart jumped with excitement: I want to be like that too. My Creator is responsible for what I need. And when I trust Him deeply, He grants it in abundance. That gives freedom - deep freedom. So free that worrying about my own life becomes a minor matter. Francis became a beggar. He found peace and brotherhood with all creatures. And he ministered, especially to the marginalized. He was happy about it. His new name became BROTHER ALWAYS-HAPPY*. 

Here, in a remote jungle area, ASSISI is the name of a good boys' school. But it's suspiciously quiet here. A Franciscan priest appears after repeated calls and takes a few minutes. Because of the corona restrictions, everything is still closed. He has doubts about the pandemic and the sense of closing schools, but what can one do. He bestows his blessings on me before I make my way back to Assisi, Italy. My name is not Francis, but I want to firmly believe that the divine is at home in me and that a fulfilled child of God can also develop in my body.

.......

* BROTHER ALWAYS-HAPPY didn't always stay happy. In a short time, many people joined him and vowed to follow his rule of poverty. But few could share his trust in God. Many of the new brothers wanted material comforts back. They felt his rules were too strict. A lot of pressure was put on him.

 Francis withdrew solitude. It is said that he even became depressed. His high ideal of following Jesus' trust in God was denied by numerous brothers. But... isn't that what Jesus experienced? Jesus was betrayed and abandoned by those closest to him before he was crucified. So, if Francis really wanted to follow Jesus, should it be any different for him!?

 

His suffering was existential. It should be. Because now a great grace could work: Francis was physically stigmatized! He is the first proven human being to have been replicated with Jesus' stigmata - the deepest sign of a mystical union with Jesus.

 

Thank you Francis. You are a role model of freedom, happiness and willingness to suffer.


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