As a Lent Madness Celebrity Blogger, I have had the opportunity to read and intimately know the lives of many saints. Last year, I ushered Saint Francis through this annual Lenten ministry sponsored by Forward Movement. Many of us are familiar with Francis and his love of creation. I was surprised, however, at how Francis has been edited from a man who challenged those in positions of power, called out church leaders for their complicity in not loving as God has commanded, and generally upset the proverbial apple cart of the neat and tidy lives of those of his day to someone who just loves animals.
The Francis of popular culture pleases people because he doesn’t challenge us. The real Francis does quite the opposite. He challenges us to seek first the kingdom of God, even at great personal sacrifice.
How do we edit our actions (and the lives of our saints) to please people rather than being a servant of Christ’s love?
