Reflecting on "I, Francis" (of Assisi)

It doesn’t really feel like Thanksgiving here. Actually, it’s really not Thanksgiving here since Thanksgiving is a culturally constructed “sentiment” and it is not part of the culture here – with turkeys and pumpkins and cornucopias and football. So I’m trying to decide if it’s important to me to cook a big meal to share on Thursday or not. Two years ago, we were in Uganda with friends and made a big effort to have turkey, stuffing, cranberries and pumpkin pie. Last year, we shared a traditional celebration meal with classmates from China, Indonesia, Pakistan and India. I’ll let you know what you decide to do here in Congo, but it will likely include chicken, potatoes, green beans and perhaps pudding.

In other news, weekends here can be depressing since we have a very small social circle right now and don’t have our Congolese driving licenses yet. I find myself really looking forward to when the Seed program is started and we have lots of activity for a while.

Speaking of, yesterday morning during my quiet time, I was very inspired by a passage from I, Francis by Carlo Carretto. He wrote some stuff about culture that could be very poignant in the formation of our Seed cohort here about the Gospel being a path that transcends all cultures. But I was especially struck by what he wrote about social justice:

“When I, Francis, heard the call of the Gospel, I did not set about organizing a political pressure-group in Assisi. What I did, I remember very well, I did for love, without expecting anything in return; I did if for the Gospel, without placing myself at odds with the rich, without squabbling with those who preferred to remain rich. And I certainly did it without any class hatred.

“I did not challenge the poor people who came with me to fight for their rights, or to win salary increases. I only told them that we would be blessed—if also battered, persecuted, or killed. The Gospel taught me to place the emphasis on the mystery of the human being more than on the duty of the human being…

“It is not enough to change laws. You have to change hearts [your own!]… This is why I took the Gospel path. For me the Gospel was the sign of liberation, yes, but true liberation, the liberation of hearts. This was the thrust that lifted me out of the middle-class spirit, which is present to every age, and is known as selfishness, arrogance, pride, sensuality, idolatry, and slavery.

“I saw in the Gospel a road beyond, a path that transcended all cultures, human constructs, all civilizations and conventions. I felt the Gospel to be eternal; I felt politics and culture, including Christian culture, to be in time. I was made always to go beyond time.”

I guess just writing this all out doesn’t explain why it challenges and comforts me in the midst of being in a new, confusing place; in the midst of hearing of new controversies every time I open my computer thanks to news and facebook. But I am stirred deeply by this and pray that God might use it to challenge and comfort you, as well.

Freebie: Yes, there are roosters that crow in the early morning, as there have been in pretty much every country I have ever visited outside of the US. Also, I forgot that Mark gets me flowers a lot more in developing countries! Love it!