I love St. Francis of Assisi. He’s probably one of the most beloved saints in history. But I think people have some wrong notions about him. It seems like, every time I hear someone quote St. Francis, it’s the phrase, “Preach the gospel always and if necessary use words.” The thing is, St. Francis preached all the time! And, all his brother friars did too. He preached anywhere and everywhere, to anyone who would listen. He preached about the unfathomable love of God that moved in his heart, the beauty he found in poverty lived fully for the Lord and the peace he enjoyed in unswerving obedience to the hierarchy of the Church. He witnessed to his audiences how God’s love changed his life and how it could change their lives as well. People listened, were converted and that’s how his fame spread.
That’s why I find it interesting that people always use that quote! It makes it sound like he never preached, which is wrong! I have a feeling that people use that particular quote from St. Francis because they don’t want to preach. It sort of excuses them from having to say anything about their faith and they’re perfectly fine because St. Francis didn’t! But that’s definitely not the case.
Now the difference with Francis was that he lived what he preached. His words backed up his actions and his actions re-enforced his words. When he spoke of God’s love being transformative, people knew it was true because they could see it in his life. That’s why he could say, “Preach the gospel always and if necessary use words.” His every action was the gospel. He didn’t need to use words…but he did!
Pope Paul VI wrote in On Evangelization in the Modern World #41 that it’s “primarily by her conduct and by her life that the Church will evangelize the world.” However, in the next section he emphasized “the importance and necessity of preaching.” Really, we need both. If Francis needed both then I know I do.
Also in that encyclical Paul VI said, “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.” It’s not just modern man! It was true 800 years ago for St. Francis as well.
Let’s face it, it’s uncomfortable to witness to people and tell them what’s going on inside…especially when Catholicism can be unpopular. It’s even harder to live a life that proclaims the gospel merely by actions. In reality, both are necessary.
How can you witness to the power of God’s love in your life today? How about something as simple as making the sign of the cross in a public restaurant while saying grace before your meal? Or, telling someone about your Catholic faith if they ask? If people looked at your life, would they be able to tell you were Catholic? Francis preached the gospel always…period!
St. Francis, pray for us!
Yeah, as great of a quote as it is, there is absolutely NO evidence or citations suggesting he actually wrote or said it. And as sad as it is, the same is true for his “Peace Prayer.” It is likely that both were being circulated and were attributed to Francis because they reflected his spirit. But, in the end, it doesn’t matter does it? Are the truths contained within them less true because we can’t identify the author? Not for me. In fact…here I go with my words again. Let me put a cork in it and get back to preaching without words…and watching The Next Iron Chef! nnLoving the blog Marc. Content and the confidence in your writing.
Thank you so much Roy!