The Lessons of St. Francis by John Michael Talbot

This book jumped out at me a few weeks ago as I browsed the Little Turtle Library. I’ve read some books on Saint Francis but liked the idea of this one putting his practices to daily use. At first glance, The Lessons of St Francis by John Michael Talbot looks like any other self-help guru or new age mystic showing you the path to inner peace, and success, reminding me of How To Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci or something of that nature.

I quickly found it to be surprisingly accessible. The author, himself a long-time Franciscan, breaks the book into sections on how to utilize Saint Francis’ teachings in day to day life, fleshing it out with inspirational quotes from historic figures as well as providing prayers to recite.

 His writing style and overall message contains a lightness lacking in most heavy-handed Christian writers. This slim book (250 pages) is full of simple and practical advice on how anyone can transform their lives by following the model of Saint Francis’ life, writings and teachings.

In the introduction, Talbot warns us that once canonized, a saint’s life induces hero-worship rather than inspiration. People tend to think that they can’t take something of so celebrated a life and apply it to their own. The first section of the book entitled ‘Simplicity,’ is in the beginning for good reason: We as Americans consume and desire far too much. Here, he gives us some guidelines, even providing the reader with questions to ask themselves on how they can make changes.

One of the things that make Francis so relevant today is the fact that for the first half of his life, he lived a carefree life of privilege. The son of a wealthy merchant, soldier, musician and poet, Francis was set to inherit the family business when he came down with a mysterious and debilitating illness. During this time he had his visions of Christ and slowly began to transform. He got healthy and decided to shun the secular life, yet dissatisfied with corruption of the Catholic Church and the papacy, decided to find his own order.

Although most of us would never go so far as to give up our lives and live in the wilderness with no possessions, we can seek to understand and apply some of Francis’ teachings into our own lives.

In the chapter on Simplicity the author stresses the difference between want and need in our lives:

“Food is a need. But a medium-rare T-bone steak smothered in onions is a want.
Clothing is a need. But a designer suit with matching shoes is a want.
Housing is a need. But a split level ranch house with a semi-attached garage, walk-in closets, and three bathrooms is a want.”

He goes further, providing the reader with questions to ask themselves about their choices in food, clothing and shelter and how their perception can cause more problems.

In the second section of the book, ‘Joy,’ there’s a story from Saint Francis’ life where he, a friar and two novices walk across a hill on a snowy day when Francis and the friar began dancing and rolled down the hill playing in the snow. One of the novices later spoke with Francis, embarrassed by his outburst. Francis warned him that it was impossible to survive in a cloister without cultivating joy. Soon after, the novice packed up and left. We can’t take ourselves, our lives and the world around us so seriously that we can’t break out into dance or song every now and then.

This relates to the chapter that is the heart of this book, ‘Humility.’ Francis believed that humility, if practiced in earnest would lead to obedience to God’s will. He sincerely wished to live as closely to Christ’s example as possible, believing that Christ’s ministry to be the “condescension of God.”

He wrote:

 “Among the other things the kindness of God has generously granted me, it has granted me this grace that I would obey a novice of one hour, if he were given me as my guardian, as carefully as I would obey the oldest and most discreet person.”

Saint Francis is one of histories’ most mythologized and romanticized figures, but reading through this book can give you knowledge that even we average folk, can, without donning a frock and retreating into the wilderness can take a step in St. Francis’ path.

by Matthew Behnke