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.