Tunic Worn by St. Francis
As I continue to work my way through Ilia’s chapter on Desire, this text becomes the next focal point:
“….when Francis heard the gospel passage, “they should not keep gold or silver or money in their belts, nor have a wallet for their journey, nor two tunics, nor shoes, nor staff (Matthew 10:9), he exclaimed “This is what I want, this is what I long for with all my heart.” The desire of Francis’ heart was fulfilled in the hearing of the gospel and impelled him to change………We see, in the life of Francis, that desire generates desire. The fulfillment of his heart’s desire in hearing the gospel caused him to desire a new way of life, the life of a poor mendicant.”
It is important to understand that Desire leads to change. No one exists without Desire, and because of that, no one is ever stagnant in their personal journey.
Desire is always pushing me toward either growth or regression.
The negative side of Desire is that it can be the root of sin. If I get wrapped up in Desires that are focused on personal gratification, personal gratification is what I will pursue.
But the example of Francis suggests another way, the way centered on growth. Francis sought positive input through the gospels, and was rewarded with Desires of such intensity that his path led to sainthood.
I don’t know that I would have put it in this context until just now, but I have learned from that example, and this blog is the evidence. I, like Francis, am immersing myself in the Gospels, reading a single chapter most weeks, and recording my meditations here as a witness for anyone who might find it.
I don’t expect sainthood to be the result. I humbly submit that I spent far too much time regressing to ever find my way to the path that Francis walked.
But perhaps, if I am graced with enough strength to align my desires with God’s will and not my own, I might have some slight chance to live out the theme of this blog.
Please God, give me such Desires that You will
“Embolden in me the courage to follow You, completely,”
or at least as completely as I am capable of doing.