ST. FRANCIS AND THE MEANING OF SPIRITUAL JOY

By Fr. Andrew Apostoli, C.F.R.

The year 1999 is upon us! That leaves us only one year to the Great Jubilee Year 2000. With the Jubilee, we have a celebration and message of great hope! Pope John Paul II has said that this celebration of the two-thousandth anniversary of our Savior’s birth will bring an abundant outpouring of grace upon God’s People.

Yet, despite this promise, a sense of confusion and tension exists in society filling many people with fear and apprehension. Many are wondering what will come upon the world at the turn of the century, but in these days before the new millenium the Holy Father has told us to have courage!

Together with Pope John Paul II, St. Francis of Assisi can teach us how we can face an uncertain future with peace. What we need is a good dose of spiritual joy! This saint from the medieval era can teach us in this age of technology where authentic joy can be found - not in accumulating material goods, but in spiritual goods. True joy, as opposed to the passing sentiments of happiness, is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

St. Francis knew all too well, from his frequent struggles with temptations, the evil spirit whom the Desert Fathers called the “demon of sadness.” He knew this spirit’s ability to cripple our lives in fear, sadness, discouragement and self-pity. These negative feelings often become obstacles to the Holy Spirit’s working within us. Thomas of Celano testifies to the saint’s conviction that “when spiritual joy fills hearts, the serpent throws off his deadly poison in vain. The devils cannot harm the servant of Christ when they see he is filled with holy joy.” (2 Cel., #125).

St. Francis had actually developed in his own personal life and in his teachings a comprehensive understanding of the importance of joy in the Christian life. In his first Rule written for his friars in 1221, he said the friars should: ...diligently show reverence and honor to one another without murmuring. They should let it be seen that they are happy in God, cheerful and courteous, as is expected of them, and be careful not to appear gloomy or depressed like hypocrites. (chap. 8)

His biographers attest that he would often reproach his brothers if they showed signs of gloom and despondency. A work called the “Mirror of Perfection” (#96) relates how: (St. Francis) once rebuked a friar who appeared with a gloomy face, saying, ‘Why are you making an outward display of grief and sorrow for your sin? This sorrow is between God and yourself alone. So pray Him in His mercy to pardon you and restore to your soul the joy of His salvation.’

The “little poor man” of Assisi teaches us that spiritual joy is the result of constant prayer and purity of heart. He urged his followers to be faithful to these two practices of piety so as to sustain a spirit of joy. Thomas of Celano again tells us: The saint made it a point to keep himself in joy of heart and to preserve the unction of the Spirit and the oil of gladness. For he would say: ‘If the servant of God, as may happen, is disturbed in any way, he should rise immediately to pray and he should remain in the presence of the Heavenly Father until He restores unto him the joy of salvation. (2 Cel. #125)

Clearly St. Francis did not believe that this joy is constructed by human efforts alone, nor is it “the power of positive thinking” or just “looking on the bright side.” Rather this joy is the fruit of a life of penance, turning away from sin, frequent prayer and serving the needs of others. It is a gift of the Holy Spirit for those who open their hearts and hands to Him.

Interestingly, St. Francis recognized that spiritual joy and worldly sadness have one quality in common - they are contagious! This was one of the many reasons he was so insistent that his friars overcome despondency and gloom. Their joy would be a source of inner strength to others.

Perhaps the wisdom of St. Francis can help us to reflect on our own attitudes and dispositions. Do we depend on the things of this world to make us happy? While our desire for material things like money, possessions, or even health are not evil in themselves, we may begin to desire these things more than we desire the spiritual gifts of faith, hope, and charity. Are we honesty saddened by our lack of these non-material but eternal possessions?

As we enter this new year, should we not resolve to examine ourselves daily and see whether our example, our words, and even our presence is a joyful blessing to those with whom we live and work? In essence, does the room “brighten up a bit” when we walk in? Or do things go dim? As the famous prayer attributed to St. Francis says; “Where there is darkness, let me bring light; Where there is sadness, let me bring joy.”

Yes, joy is a gift from the Holy Spirit which lights our path and lightens our load. Is it not the divine antidote we need to cure the spiritual and psychological ills of our age? Let us ask the Holy Spirit for this spiritual fruit to strengthen and sustain us as we journey through this new year and into the new millennium. Together with Pope John Paul II, let us walk with St. Francis, our joyful friend and guide, into the Jubilee Year 2000!