The Splinters We Bear

Francis often drew apart by himself for times of prayer and recuperation. At times, he would bring a friend, like the priest and scribe Leo, as he did that late summer of 1224. This was not a simple time for him and the intimacy of the Nativity of 1223 is Greccio had not quelled all of the struggles which plagued him.

In 1217, following the General Chapter and on his way to France, Francis could not have imagined the herculean efforts it would take to have his intuition preserved. In Florence, Cardinal Ugo(lino), later Pope Gregory IX his canonizer, confined him to stay in Italy for the Community needed him. Friars were already starting to become a bit restless and in need of structure. The mission in Germany would not go well. Something had to change, had to be provided for.

Two years later Francis instead would travel East to meet the Sultan Malik al-Kamil of Egypt in 1219 during the Fifth Crusade then making his way to Syria. In his absence, the two Vicars had moved ahead. Who knows if they imagined that Francis had met martyrdom as the latter probably imagined he would. In any case, a Friar comes to find him and they would make their way back to Assisi in 1220.

Now Francis knew he needed help. He asked Honorius III for a protector, a guide among the Cardinals, specifically the canonist Cardinal Ugo. Francis would step down as giuridic head of the Order, but only increase in his charismatic leadership. Elias of Cortona, who had returned from the East with him, would stand before this humbled man at the General Chapters as they hammered out the Rule over the next three years. This was not a work of a Francis on Retreat, this was the work of many hands as Francis took up the banner once more, now seemingly against the Community. Francis had to surrender, he had to cooperate. This was no longer “his” Order.

As Francis placed his foot onto the slope of Mount LaVerna, he seemed to genuinely been wondering, “What now?” We are told by Celano that he sought to discover God’s Will and the Assisi Compilation, another collection of testimony, explains that he was anxious whether he was supposed to be there. A flock of birds welcomed him, giving comfort.

Francis also wanted to begin again. As in the beginning he wished to know what the Lord wanted of him and his companion, Bernard of Quintavalle, Francis opened the Missal three times at the Church of San Nicolò, Francis visited the little cell dedicated he had built in 1214, now dedicated to Saint Mary Magdelene. Opening the Gospel book to discover God’s will, thrice it opened up to the prediction of the Passion.

Had not Francis suffered enough? Why had Greccio not lifted him continuously into the Resurrection? Celano comments that Francis was “so filled with fire” as he began that spiritual lent upon the Mountain. Did not Our Lord come to set the world on fire? Was He not constrained in zeal for His Hour to come?

Francis could not have known how Our Lord would show him His Love. The Seraph of Divine Love and the Crucified intermingled with the passionate offering of Francis, who now bore in his body a new sign, a manifestation of his taking up the Cross and following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. With Saint Paul he could have said “From now on, let no one cause me any trouble, for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus branded on my body.” The Friars had indeed caused him much trouble.

Somehow – which we know is by grace – this was the time of Perfect Joy, of the Praises of God and the Canticle of the Creatures. This was the time of Francis’ greatest creativity even as his body was wasting away. Almost blind and unable to walk Francis made a few preaching journeys before his body would just give out.

In this life there will always be splinters. But there must only be one beam: that of the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Embracing that tree, carrying it on our shoulders, will bear its share of sufferings. Let us fill us what is lacking in our cradling of this Jesus who has loved us so much as to die for our love.