Inner Life, Talks and Thoughts The saint who ripped reality and rose like a sun. Francis and the apocalyptic fears of chaotic times
May 25, 2025
Explore the dramatic life of St. Francis amid societal chaos, as feudalism crumbles and mercantilism rises. Delve into the religious upheaval of his time, marked by crusading zeal and the clash with beliefs like those of the Cathars. Discover how Francis's radical shift from wealth to asceticism influenced Christianity and inspired a legacy of love and humility. The conversation also touches on a woman's transformative journey inspired by Franciscan teachings, emphasizing the quest for spiritual renewal in today's disconnected world.
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Francis Amid Chaos and Change
- St. Francis emerged at the end of feudalism amid social collapse and the rise of mercantilism.
- His radical response addressed societal instability, and the existential crises from both eastern and southern threats.
Era of Existential Threats
- Europe faced existential fears with the Mongols, Islam, and internal religious upheavals like the Cathars.
- Messianic hopes and destructive divisions made the era deeply unstable and apocalyptic.
Francis Embraces Poverty Publicly
- Francis discarded his wealth publicly in Assisi, embracing Lady Poverty.
- He shocked many but attracted followers by embodying the era's tensions through extreme asceticism.