Art from our discussion: May 2

St. Francis of Assisi

 

St. Francis, by Sassetta (b. 1392)

In our May 2 discussion, Bob Pelfrey reminded us that while there is only a brief mention of St. Francis in Saving Paradise, Francis is a major figure that affirms the authors’ thesis:

It is the Risen Christ, 

not his death on the cross, 

who gives life to the world.  

At the dawn of the Renaissance, even as the official church was focusing ever more deeply on Jesus’ death and God’s judgment for human sins, Francis was pointing to Jesus’ life and to God's love for the whole world. 

In the century after Francis' death, Giotto painted the Life of St. Francis, a fresco cycle which can still be seen found in the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.

 

Francis in ecstasy (or, in communion with Paradise)

 

In deep prayer, Francis hears Christ's voice: "Rebuild my Church."

Francis breaks with his father: he gives even his clothes back

Like Christ and his disciples, Francis and his disciples cast out demons

Francis builds the first creche, to show the humanity of Jesus

Francis preaches to the birds

Francis said, "Preach the Gospel always; when necessary, use words."   Here, in the most familiar image of Francis, we see that he brings nature itself into the mystery:  God loves the whole creation. 

Francis preaches to the Sultan

Francis was 'hungry for martyrdom' and so he traveled to the Holy Land.  But unlike most of the Crusaders, he was a man of peace.  When he met the Sultan, he told him about Christ; when the Sultan would not convert, Francis left in peace. 

Francis receives the stigmata

Two years before he died, Francis received the stigmata (signs, replicating the wounds of Christ.)  Here the six-winged angel unfurls his wings and reveals Christ. 

Stigmata: signs of the Risen Christ

In the Gospels, it is the post-resurrection Lord who shows his wounds to his disciples.  In Francis' stigmata (and in Francis' life), we don't see the wounds of the dead Christ, but signs of the Risen Christ. 

The life and teachings of Francis 

show us that it is the living Christ 

- not the dead Christ - 

who bears the wounds of compassion

that reveal God's love.