St. Francis of Assisi: “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”

 Amazing and inspiring words from a simple and humble man of God. St. Francis’s whole teaching and spirituality was amazing guide for the brothers and people to achieve heights in spirituality and holiness. With simplicity of heart, mind and thought he would admonish and present them a solid and working roadmap to achieve fraternal and  loving relationship with God and human beings by doing what’s necessary and what’s possible; and suddenly doing the impossible. It is an absolute simple admonition for all of us even today when life is made so complicated by events and situations that are happening around us. Francis teaches us a lesson amidst the chaos, disorder, negative political happenings and the political, social and economic instability existing in many nations. Francis renewed and repaired the broken and disordered Church by doing what was necessary and important at that moment, by living and preaching the message of the Gospel that is absolute simplicity. He has shown us that not only advanced and complicated things can bring about changes and transformation in the spiritual and social sphere but also our simple and humble actions loaded with the grace of Jesus Christ.

 

By his simple action of repairing San Damiano Church Francis announced to the society that we got to listen to the messages of God and realize the deeper meaning of God’s word in our lives to pay attention to the necessary, possible, and doing impossible collaboration with God’s presence in our lives. Francis teaches that God is calling each one of us to renew our own faith and that of others by doing the simple things that God communicates. His humble act of repairing the Church allowed him to be the pioneer of spiritual and social renewal in the Church. Francis worked hard with the early brothers and sisters to realize the plan and agenda of God for the church. It was his communion with God, human beings and the creation that led him to fulfil the plan with simplicity and humility. Doing essential tasks and performing and finishing them with sheer faith in God is necessary to attain success in spiritual and material world. Francis shows through his lifestyle that we need to persevere and in all situations and events of life, by building up the momentum where we experience possible outcomes, try further with divine assistance and make possible that which is actually impossible. So a good start in the Spirit of God is important and essential.

 Men and women in all fields have achieved great feats and success not by just remaining in the base and looking up. They did simple and necessary things to overcome the formidable and difficult things. They climbed the success-ladder by putting and placing faith in situation and themselves. St. Francis in his spirituality and charism advocates that we must keep trying and reaching the top by accepting our God given capacity to do the impossible. Francis fully surrendered and trusted in the accompaniment of God and focused on the task, mission and apostolate that God asked him to carry out. He believed in the commandment that Jesus gave to carry the cross and follow Him. In doing so Francis received God’s assurance and presence, through which he was able to achieve the impossible by doing what was necessary at that time of the History of Assisi. To achieve the impossible Francis went through pain, suffering, insults and abandonment by his own family. Through the trials and challenges Francis was able to materialise the plan, agenda and mission of God. Francis, though not educated much was able to achieve greater things for God through his hard work and the support of the early companions who grew together in their gifts and abilities. Francis accepted all challenges to do the impossible in order to grow in communion with the Lord and spread the good news of the Lord.

To achieve the impossible works for the Lord and human beings he preferred to abandon the material wealth as well as family- a great sacrifice on his part who was aware of the goal and mission which was important for him. One of the reasons why many followed him is because of his daring and courageous decisions to divest himself of all worldly glory and fame. Even today his inspiring example is driving young men and women to work for the same cause for which Francis worked: to achieve the impossible. Francis stripped off the fine clothes and all the pleasures, and accepted a life of total renunciation for the Lord because he understood that doing the necessary would open up the doors of possibilities and then lead him to doing the impossible things. The journey that he undertook was tough but his faith and trust in the Lord made him to achieve all the great things by denying himself first.

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”, let us keep this practical wisdom of St. Francis of Assisi put into use in our day today lives and encounters with others. This practical wisdom is applicable to our human relationships and to build a better society and future for all of us. Today we live in a highly technologically advanced world so things are much easy and a sea of opportunities is open to us. But we know that it does not help us to be what we want to be according to the plan of God for us. So let us start by doing what’s necessary.

Once the Lord has shown us the goal and mission, ask like Francis “Lord what do you want me to do?”, means start working and undertaking the next course of actions- going around searching for answers by spending time in prayer and contemplation, seeking caves and mountains to learn the most important ways to see the possibility. The Lord sends many persons and events in life to know what exactly he wants from us….Then do what’s possible

When St. Francis began his journey of exploring the divine world everything seemed out of reach and impossible. He sought the guidance of the Bishops and priests, having worked on the initial task of what is necessary and the realm of the possible. He began to take care of the lepers which was the most repulsive and bitter thing for him to do, he was led among them by the Lord. He began kissing and nursing the wounds of the lepers. Many more joined him in this noble work.. some physically working and some providing food and drink. He was successful in his journey of recognizing the lepers as humans, brothers and sisters. Francis saw that it was possible to be with the Lepers and not run away because of the nauseating feeling in meeting them. He was no longer afraid anymore. He understood what is possible, thus he became confident to attain the impossible……so suddenly you are doing the impossible.