Francis and Clare of Assisi lived their beliefs by embracing humility and poverty as guiding principles. Their lives were centered on action, not just words. Francis took Scripture literally, choosing a life of simplicity and detachment from material possessions. This focus was not about doctrine, but about how one actually lived. He knew that humans tend to live themselves into new ways of thinking more than think themselves into new ways of living. Both Francis and Clare emphasized that practice—orthopraxy—was essential, more so than just holding correct beliefs. Early Franciscans practiced this by serving, healing, and showing compassion. They didn’t rely on preaching from pulpits but instead lived their message through their daily interactions with others, especially the marginalized. Their example calls us to live our values through consistent, tangible actions in our own lives.
May we live ourselves into new ways of thinking
by embodying compassion, humility, and service
in all that we do.
(inspired by Richard Rohr, Eager to Love; Jon M. Sweeney, St. Francis of Assisi)