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St. Francis of assisi One day, after an illness and a failed attempt at
knighthood, Francis began to see the world differently. He started to
question what truly mattered in life. He heard a voice in an old,
rundown church telling him to repair God's house. At first, he thought this
meant fixing the building, so he sold his father's cloth to pay for repairs,
which led to a big family fallout. Francis felt torn. His love for wealth and
his growing love for God were at odds. He decided to give up everything he
owned. Standing before the bishop, he renounced his father's
wealth, even stripping off his fancy clothes, and declared, "From now
on, I will serve only God." Living as a beggar,
Francis embraced poverty, preaching peace, and showing love to all
creatures, including animals. He would often talk to birds, saying they were
his sisters. This might sound strange, but it showed how he saw God in all
life. His journey wasn't easy. Francis faced hunger, cold, and
misunderstanding. He struggled with his own doubts and the physical pain of
stigmata, the wounds of Christ on his body. Yet, he remained joyful, seeing
beauty in simplicity and faith in every moment. Today, St. Francis teaches us: 1. Simplicity is Freedom: Francis
found freedom in owning nothing. We can learn to value experiences over
possessions. 2. Love for All: His love
extended to all creation, showing us how to care for our environment and
respect all living things. 3. Peace and Joy: Despite
hardships, Francis was known for his joy. He shows us that peace comes from
living our true purpose. 4. Service Over Self: Francis
lived to serve, not to be served. He reminds us that true fulfillment comes
from helping others. St. Francis of Assisi's life is like a song about finding
what really matters. His model encourages us to live simply, love deeply, and
find joy in serving others, teaching us that in giving, we receive the most. |
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