Saint Francis of Assisi excluded no one
A Reflection by Fred Schaeffer, OFS
People, in this day and age, are having a great struggle with the concept of accepting everyone as their equal. Years ago, I was at a prayer meeting and a man walked in who was months and months behind on his personal grooming, so it seemed. Immediately, the thought occurred to me, "what is he doing here?" As I thought that, I felt shame. I am a Franciscan, and if I would have listened to our Seraphic Father St. Francis, I would not be capable of issuing this harsh and unspoken criticism. I had a desire to go up to the man, and bid him welcome, but I saw someone else already talking to him, so I did not approach. I felt bad about that for years. We're coming up to the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi (Oct. 4), and my thoughts are often with him.
In this country, migrant workers are often excluded from the mainstream. I've wondered why? Is it because they are (in this area) mostly Mexican and so they do not speak English? No, that cannot be, because many other people speak little or no English. Or is it that we do not dare shake hands with a stranger? Women, in my experience, are more likely to talk to other women, than men to other men. I helped out for a couple of months, in a nursing home years ago, and the Activities Department asked me to moderate a conversation between men. I must say it was almost impossible. If we men have something in common, then maybe, but just being in the same place does not seem to be enough.
One of the most displaced and excluded people right now are the Catholic, and other Christian Palestinians. And people who live in various portions of land that are constantly in danger (such as areas between Israel and Palestine, border areas) will probably feel lonely and abandoned. Please pray for them, for safety and healing. When I visit with my snowbird (seasonal winter resident) neighbors and all they do is speak in French (because most are from Ontario and Quebec, Canada, I feel excluded. So excluded, in fact, that I never attend their social functions. Who would I have to talk to? I don't speak French! So there are thousands of people in the same boat. They immigrate to a foreign country, but they just can't seem to learn the language in good time.
Years ago, I visited a Leper Hospital in Louisiana. Although Leprosy is under control these days, still the patients often feel like outcasts of society. St. Francis would make a party of their gathering, and bid them welcome. The strong attachment Francis showed to them and to all who are outcast and marginalized speaks for itself. We Franciscans have an obligation to freely mix with the outcasts of this day. So instead of avoiding people, at least say "hi" to them, and make small talk - if they feel welcome, the conversation will follow easily.
The lepers of today are not just the homeless, but the sick, as well. As an only child, I experienced first hand with my mother, in the early 1980's that when it became evident she was suffering from Alzheimer's, all her friends left. They wanted no part of her. Because she no longer fit into their social norms. She was excluded. It was shameful and very sad. But this is a common occurrence. Any illness having to do with the brain, for example Alzheimer's, and also people who are spastic or get seizures, they often are excluded from social groups. That's not right.
If you see some of the holy cards of St. Francis, you see a friar with many birds listening to him, for example, and one gets the feeling that St. Francis was somewhat mellow and romantic figure. But he was tough and radical; those "sweet holy people" portrayed on holy cards or other images do not show exposure to the marginalized side of life. St. Francis was "rebuilding the Church" by showing us how he tenaciously identified with the poor and downtrodden. That's the side of him which the holy cards and statues do not show.
As followers of St. Francis, we make daily conversion to live his Rule he prepared for us. Even though St. Francis preached to the poor, he was very rich. And so are we. I'm not talking about social standing, breeding or having a lot of money. That "richness" is fleeting. You can't take it with you, and it most assuredly will not guarantee that you will be with Jesus until the end of time. I'm referring to an inner strength inspired by Jesus Christ through Baptism, the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the knowledge that Our Lord is close to your heart. Franciscans, when they follow their Rule day after day, will be with God until the end of time. But that takes daily work as you know. People who live in God's Presence are happy people (even though they might have much pain and suffering) and they are richer than people with a million dollars in cash! Such people have all this money to worry about, security, the economy, taxes, etc. - they spend so much time worrying about their wealth that they do not have time to do good to their brothers and sisters. Some are good and philanthropic but many others could care less what happens to anyone but themselves. I don't want to generalize. Poor people have that problem, too, but most of the poor people I've met will give you the last piece of bread out of their kitchen, and do without themselves. The poor are often meek and humble because they are not pretentious. Praise God for the poor and the humble. They are friends of Jesus!
Humility is a gift of God, so take all filters from your eyes and respect everyone because he and she is our brother and sister, just as Jesus is our brother and sister. Who knows, the next person you speak to may remind you so much of our dear Jesus, that you wonder hours later if that was really Him. Then rejoice in the knowledge that you've seen a man or woman of God. We cannot exclude anyone. We do not have that right. It just isn't Christian and it certainly isn't Franciscan, either.
Be kind and charitable to all people you might meet. Show all people your best side instead of your worst. Be Christ to everyone you meet. May Jesus continue to bless you as you become richer in His Presence. Amen.
Fred Schaeffer, OFS
Old Reflection, revised
9/29/2025