Wednesday, July 25, 2012

The Ideal Leader of Jesus' Flock


Such was the zeal which Francis had for the preservation of the perfection in the Order, and such seemed to him the perfection of the profession of the Rule, that he often used to consider who would be sufficient after his death to govern the whole Order and to protect the perfection in it with the help of God— but he came upon none that were fit.

            So near the end of his life, a certain friar said to him, “Father, you will pass away to the Lord, and this family which has followed you will remain in the vale of tears.  Point out any in the Order, if you know one, on whom your mind might be at rest, on whom the burden of the Minister-General may be worthily imposed.” 

            Francis answered, punctuating all his words with sighs, “My son, I behold no sufficient leader of so great an various an army, no shepherd of so wide and scattered a flock, but I will point to you one in whom should shine out how the leader and shepherd of this family ought to be.  

"This man,” he said, “ought to be of the most serious life, of great discretion, having a good reputation, without personal favoritism, unless he should prefer some and so cause scandal in the whole.  There should be in him a strong zeal for prayer, focusing some of his time on his own soul and some on his flock.  Early in the morning, he should put before all things the holy sacrifice of the Mass and there, with devotion, he should most earnestly commend himself and his flock to divine protection.  But after prayer he should put himself in the midst of the friars so that he might be questioned by all, answer to all to provide for all with charity and patience and gentleness.

            “For he should show no favor to anyone, so that he should not pay less attention to the simple or foolish than to the wise and learned.  To those whom the gift of learning is granted, let them display in their manner the stamp of piety and simplicity, of patience and humility and let him cherish these virtues in himself and in others and continually exercise himself in preaching to them, inciting others more by example than by speech.  Let him be a hater of money, which is the chief corruption of our profession and perfection and as the head and example to be imitated by all, let him in no wise be wasted by many store-chests.

            “Let a habit and a book be sufficient for him, but for others writing utensils.  Let him not be a collector of books nor much given to reading, let haply that he be taken from his office which is given to studying.  Let him console piously the afflicted, since he is the last resort of those in tribulation, since if he isn’t seen as having hope for the infirm, the sick would despair of disease.  Let him lead the violent to gentleness, let him bear himself humbly and relax something of his own rights that he might have profit of their soul.  To the runaways of the Order, as to sheep who have perished, let him extend compassion and let him never deny mercy to them—for he should know that those temptations to be very great which could compel a fall to such—such temptations that, if the Lord should permit him to suffer, he might be fated to fall into even a greater chasm.

            “I will that he, as vicar of Christ, be honored by all with devotion and reverence and that he be provided for by all and in all things with all good-will, according to his necessity and the lowliness of our condition.  Yet he should not to smile on honors nor to rejoice more in receiving favors than in receiving injuries, so that his attitude is not changed by honors except for the better.  But if sometimes he may need better food, let him not eat it privately, but in a public place, so that the shame may be taken from others of providing them in their infirmities and weaknesses.  He should distinguish hidden knowledge and to search out the truth from secret vanities.  Let him hold all accusations suspect in the beginning, until the truth begins to appear by diligent examination.  Let him not lend his ear to many speakers, and let him hold them especially suspect in accusations, nor lightly believe them.  He should be this way because of the desire of retaining the honor, never injuring nor relaxing the form of justice and equity.  Even so, he should not be so rigorous that the soul of anyone would be destroyed nor out of excessive gentleness he would generate sloth nor from lax indulgence should discipline be dissolved.  And thus he would be feared by all and loved of those that fear him.  

"Let him always think and feel the office of his prelacy rather a burden than an honor to him.  I wish also that he have for his companions people who are known for their honesty, self-controlled, strong in times of need, pious and compassionate to the straying, giving equal attention to everyone and receiving those coming to them with holy joy and showing the form and observance of the gospel, according to the profession of the Rule, in themselves purely and simply to all.  Behold, I say, such should be Minister-General of this order and such companions that he should have.”

            -The Mirror of Perfection, Section V, Chapter 80


Silence.

Humility Amidst Criticism


Francis once called together many friars and said to them, “I have asked the Lord that he would show me when I am his servant.  The most gracious Lord answered me, ‘I know that you are truly my servant when you think, speak and do holy things.’  Therefore I have called you, brothers, and have shown this to you that I may be put to shame before you when you see me lacking in any of these things.”
                        -Mirror of Perfection Section IV, Chapter 74


The true leader of God must invite and be open to critique.  A great church leader I have known would always, when he was criticized, no matter how petty or narrow minded the complaint, would always respond, "Thank you for bringing this to my attention.  I will pray about it and consider it."  And he would.  

I wish I had such humility.