William Hugo , Capuchin
Franciscan prayer:
When you discover God, you discover others and yourself.
(Second in a series of eight)
Like all communication, prayer is not a one-way street. In prayer, we are not the only
ones talking; God also talks. Both God and we both speak and listen. In Franciscan prayer,
there is also a third group sitting on the stage of prayer: the rest of creation. Creation also
listens and talks. This is because we are sisters and brothers with all creation; all have our
origin in the same Father-Creator.
Since prayer is such a family affair, when we learn about God in prayerful conversation,
we also learn about our sister and brother creatures. And when we learn about God, our
brothers, and our sisters, we can’t help but learn about ourselves. Consider these examples.
• When we learn that God created us out of his intense desire, we learn that we did not
earn our existence.
• If God creates all creatures out of equal desire, then no creature is more important than
another.
• Since God created all creatures, we are in relationship with all creatures through our
common source.
• The respect God shows to me is the same respect he shows all creatures. So, I have
cause to respect other creatures as I myself hope to be respected.
• If the God who creates me is humble, how can I
possibly think of myself as haughty?
Since conversation with God will ultimate lead us to
examine ourselves, prayer requires honesty and humility.
The story of Francis unexpectedly meeting a leper
forcefully illustrates this. Francis was understandably
petrified of lepers. But their existence bothered him. Most
of us ask “Why me?” when confronted by difficulty. When
Francis saw a leper, he asked “Why them?”
As Francis’ deepening prayer was leading him to
realize that the leper and he came from the same creator,
Francis could no longer tolerate their separation. When
Francis learned about God in prayer, he learned about
the leper. When he learned about the leper, he learned
about himself. So, in this story, Francis would finally
embrace the leper. They were brothers and sisters. They
were the same. His prayer had changed is life!
(William Hugo is a vocation director and teaches Franciscan
spirituality/history. He authored Studying the Life of Francis
of Assisi: A Beginner’s Workbook, Franciscan Press, 1996.)
To view the first of the series, click here.