ST. FRANCIS AND THE FOOLISHNESS OF GOD REVISED EDITION Marie Dennis Cynthia Moe-Lobeda Joseph Nangle, OFM Stuart Taylor
The publishing arm of the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, Orbis seeks to explore the global dimensions of the Christian faith and mission, to invite dialogue with diverse cultures and religious traditions, and to serve the cause of reconciliation and peace. position of the Maryknoll Society. To learn more about Maryknoll and Orbis Books, please visit our website at www.maryknollsociety.org. Copyright 1993, 2015 by Marie Dennis, Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, Joseph Nangle, OFM, and Stuart Taylor. Revised edition published by Orbis Books, Box 302, Maryknoll, NY 10545-0302. Manufactured in the United States of America. All rights reserved. Excerpts from Francis of Assisi: Early Documents Vol. II: The Founder by Regis Armstrong, OFM Cap, Wayne Hellman, OFM Conv, and William Short, OFM, copyright 2000 by Franciscan Institute of St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, NY. Reprinted by permission of New City Press, Hyde Park, NY; Excerpts from The Saint and the Sultan: The Crusades, Islam, and Francis of Assisi s Mission of Peace by Paul Moses, copyright 2009 by Paul Moses. Used by permission of Doubleday, an imprint of the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, a division of Random House LLC. All rights reserved; Excerpts from Marion Habig, ed., St. Francis of Assisi: Writings and Early Biographies, English Omnibus of the Sources for the Life of St Francis, Vol I and II (Chicago: Franciscan Herald Press, 1991) used by permission of Franciscan Media, Cincinnati, OH; Text of English translations of excerpts from Celano s First Life taken from M. L. Cameron, The Inquiring Pilgrim s Guide to Assisi (trans. A. G. Ferrers Howell, London, 1926) was prepared by Prof. Leah Shopkow and reprinted with her permission. Bible translations are from The New American Bible, The New Jerusalem Bible, and The New Revised Standard Version. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data St. Francis and the foolishness of God / Marie Dennis, Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, Joseph Nangle, O.F.M., Stuart Taylor. REVISED EDITION. pages cm Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 978-1-62698-108-9 (pbk.) 1. Francis, of Assisi, Saint, 1182 1226 Meditations. 2. Church and social problems Catholic Church Meditations. 3. Social justice. I. Dennis, Marie, joint author. BX4700.F6S6563 2015 271'.302 dc23 2014039217
Contents Preface to the Revised Edition Introduction: Narrative Theology Canticle of Creation Prologue: Why After You, Francis? Why After You? ix xiii xix xxi 1. The Conversion of Francis Encounter with the Marginalized 1 Invitation to Respond 17 2. Francis and Relinquishment Ongoing Conversion 19 Following Francis, Following Jesus 24 3. Francis and Community Living As If 39 Following Francis, Following Jesus 49 v
vi 4. Francis and Transforming Friendship Loving with Open Hands Following Francis, Following Jesus 71 Invitation to Respond 78 5. Francis and Nonviolence A Force More Powerful 81 Following Francis, Following Jesus 92 Invitation to Respond 100 6. St. Francis and the Sultan Dialogue Across Boundaries 103 Following Francis, Following Jesus 113 Invitation to Respond 119 7. Francis and Suffering 123 Following Francis, Following Jesus 131
vii Invitation to Respond 145 8. Francis and Contemplation Dialogue with the Spirit 147 Following Francis, Following Jesus 150 9. Francis and Creation Dialogue with the Source of All Being 171 Following Francis, Following Jesus 178 Invitation to Respond 188 Epilogue: Francis and the Foolishness of God Biblical Foundations for the Fool of God 193 The Fool in Francis 195 Foolishness of God at Work and Play in the World 197 God and All Things 199 The Canticle of Creation 199 Reading the Canticle as a Lens into an Continuing to Pray with Creation 210 Bibliography 211