In the Gospel, a man told Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have lairs, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” To the world, this might seem a crazy way to live. Jesus’ life was that of a vagrant. He had no stable home, no money, and very few possessions. His trust was in His Father to provide for His needs and those of His disciples. It must have taken a while for the disciples to get used to this radical lifestyle. 

For Francis, the life of Jesus was his model, and that of the friars. His biographer, Thomas of Celano, said of the brothers, “they had great joy because they saw nothing and had nothing that could give them empty or carnal delight.” As the Order grew, they would eventually establish friaries to live in, but the lives of the brothers were one of simplicity, not clinging to riches or possessions. 

Francis was a sincere believer in this simplicity. He embraced “Lady Poverty” as a bride, and he lived as one who does not worry about where he will sleep, what he will eat, or what he will wear, to quote Jesus. Francis simply trusted that God would provide whatever was needed. And he was right. 

Franciscan friars and sisters today are called to that same simplicity, and in fact, so are we all. Our responsibilities may not allow us to live the radical life of poverty that Francis did, but we are called to live simply, unattached to worldly goods, and trusting, as Francis did, in God’s providence to care for our needs. 

This week, let us reflect on Francis’ simplicity and trust in God’s providence, and ask where we might loosen our own attachment to worldly things.