Saint Francis of Assisi is considered as one of the most instrumental figures worldwide. In "Francis of Assisi: Performing the Gospel of Life," Cunningham, as the author provides detailed accounts of the life of Francis, who lived as a humble monk during the medieval times, and who consequently shaped the entire Christian life. Cunningham accounted for the life of Assisi, and in doing so, provided a trajectory of the Christian faith from its early and historical proponents through its fusion with western culture, and subsequent spread throughout the world. As an individual considered a Saint, he transformed the church in its entirety by resurrecting Christian practice in six different ways and refocusing Christians back to the Gospel. The words he spoke and the deeds he did eight hundred years back were not meant solely for the church or the individuals of faith to hear or see but for the entirety of humankind. This fact alone explains why he was listed as one of the most influential individuals of the previous thousand years.
Francis Assisi pioneered six aspects of spiritual vision, each of which builds upon the next revealing revolutionary and life-changing approach towards life and faith. One of the central themes that surrounded Assisi was his deep concern for the poor. He stood in the traditions of the enormous demand for social justice across the world and confronted the problems that came his way head-on. More importantly, he lived as one of the lowest and weakest individuals in society and worked as a day laborer (Cunningham, 2004) . Even though his work was menial, hard, and received low pay, he never asked the public for money nor passed a collection plate.
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In his many endeavors, he grappled with the issue of war and personally went to stop the crusades set by the Muslim leaders (Cunningham, 2004) . Even though people constantly dissuaded him by stating he was mad, he never wavered in his path and instead left deep impressions on the Muslim leaders. Additionally, Francis was an individual who saw a separate world from the one that was comprehended by many individuals during his time. He was the embodiment of sacredness in people and all and was able to pay deep respect to the rejected , invisible, and demonized individuals and creatures (Cunningham, 2004) .
Even though Francis had nothing to achieve by accomplishing what he did, he but included everyone as his equivalent in life. The comprehensiveness that he showed everyone was the core of how he transformed monasticism and had a belief of how every individual should act in this world. Moreover, although he lived at a time when the church threatened by personal expressions of faith, he still created ways for ordinary individuals to mark their existence as holy regardless of where they were.
What is challenging to me in the life of Assisi
The most challenging thing to me in Assisi’s life is when his father broke ties with him for following his heart. In order to rebuild the fallen-down and dilapidated chapel, Francis did not hesitate to take his father's merchandise and horse and sell it to his customers (Cunningham, 2004) . However, his father, on the other hand, did not appreciate his efforts towards rebuilding the holy place of God and instead become furious at his actions. Assisi's father would rather have him dressed in fancy attires and entertaining his old friends than rebuild a church of God.
Moreover, in learning that Francis was caring for the lepers who lived in the valley below Assisi, his father become enraged, dragged Francis before the prelate, and insisted on the return of his mecharndise and properties used for rebuilding the church. The response by the father in itself is an act that goes against the conscience of human nature and the profundities of Christian values. Instead of standing by his son’s side in the path of Christianity and helping the poor, the father chose to act against his son because of worldly possessions. This experience, to me, is challenging, for I cannot begin to imagine how a father would act against his flesh and blood for the mere sake of wealth and mortal fame instead of supporting his son in the path of Christianity and in spreading the Gospel.
What is appealing to me in the life of Assisi?
In the whole of Assisi’s life, what is most appealing to me is his resilience in fighting for justice for all. Even though his yearning towards justice meant nothing less than solidarity with the most despised people, he still acknowledged that him becoming a devotee of Christ only began when he was led to live among the lepers and outcasts of the world. Francis states that "The Lord himself led me among them, and I showed mercy to them. And when I left them, what had seemed bitter to me was turned into sweetness of the body and the soul.” (Cunningham, 2004) . As an individual, he sought solidarity with people who were seen to be of little value and were thus looked down on.
Assisi’s embrace of poverty was not merely for the sake of poverty but rather was a necessary choice to stand together with the poor and despised in society. His compassionate identification with the poor is a factor that much appeals to me as an individual. Moreover, his understanding that power does not equate to peace but instead solidarity and justice greatly attunes to my beliefs as an individual. His teachings that the way to peace requires absolute solidarity and justice, and that solidarity starts from the open arms of forgiveness has left quite a mark upon my heart.
The similarity between Assisi's life and my life
The one significant similarity between the life of Francis Assisi and my life is that both of us strive to address the issue of injustice that occurs in our everyday life. As an individual who follows in the beliefs and values of Christianity, I often encounter various injustice in my everyday life, much like Assisi during his days. I often find that sick individuals in society are being mistreated in every manner possible by those who consider themselves superior to all. Most individuals without any means of authority are being looked upon, and the sick who cannot afford to treat themselves are left to succumb to their illnesses while others wallow in their misfortunes instead of providing a helping hand to them.
As a Christian, fighting various injustices in society is one of my primary goals. In order to help those who cannot help themselves, I have established a group known as Good Hope that exists to provide the means of survival for these individuals. Every six months, my friends and I organize fundraising and charity programs geared towards paying hospital bills for those who cannot afford to, helping the orphans to find good foster homes and providing children's homes in the vicinity of my community with various basic needs.
References
Cunningham, L. S. (2004). Francis of Assisi: Performing the Gospel of Life. Eardmans.
