This is highlighted by his regret for not

giving “Brother Fire” his pants. When one

of the brothers tried to put out the fire,

Francis told him ‘no dearest brother, do

not hurt Brother Fire.’

This is highlighted by his regret for not

giving “Brother Fire” his pants. When one

of the brothers tried to put out the fire,

Francis told him ‘no dearest brother, do

not hurt Brother Fire.’

In Francis’ view, all creatures, separate in functions, worth, desires and beauty, are bound together in a harmonious interdependence ensured and presided over by the just and benevolent eye of God.

Francis while recognizing the utility of creatures to Francis while recognizing the utility of creatures to humans and to other creatures relates to them humans and to other creatures relates to them with a deep respect and affection. Instead of an with a deep respect and affection. Instead of an

“I-It” relationship, Francis lived an “I-Thou” “I-It” relationship, Francis lived an “I-Thou” relationship with every creature.relationship with every creature.

By means of an affectionate gaze on creatures and with ‘feelings of sweet tenderness’, Francis was drawn into contemplative prayer, where he experienced ‘the wisdom, power and goodness of the Creator’.

He shifts the paradigm from human-centeredness to God-centeredness and species-centeredness, a vision of humanity “with” other creatures.

‘The ‘overwhelming evidence provided by cosmologists, evolutionary biologists, molecular biologists, and ecologists should correct our own species-centeredness and enable us to recognize how radically interrelated and interdependent we are with everything….’ (James Schaefer)

Francis was open to his senses and emotions. They became for him a vehicle to God.

A rock reminded him that Jesus had nowhere to lay his head.

A rock reminded him that Jesus had nowhere to lay his head.

A worm reminded him of the phrase in Scripture referring to the Saviour, ‘I am a worm and no man’ (Psalm 21:7).

A worm reminded him of the phrase in Scripture referring to the Saviour, ‘I am a worm and no man’ (Psalm 21:7).

Creatures showed him reverence because he treated them with charity.

Francis’ level of intimacy with them: – he ‘took delight’; – he ‘was disturbed when they were not treated

decently’; – he ‘used to speak to them with joy…as if they

could hear, understand and speak about God’.

He recognized that “dominion over” others was the root cause of all evil and suffering in the world.

He recognized that “dominion over” others was the root cause of all evil and suffering in the world.

Francis was so aware that he was a dependent creature, the ultimate basis for his radical poverty.

For this reason he wanted his brothers to be subject to everyone, even to creatures.

He did not treat creatures as if he owned them, but lived with them, respecting their independence. For Francis, creatures had autonomous worth and they aided humans to give praise to God.

He did not treat creatures as if he owned them, but lived with them, respecting their independence. For Francis, creatures had autonomous worth and they aided humans to give praise to God.

The Canticle is a statement of this ideal, which he, in great part,

achieved before the mutual embrace of “Sister Death”.

His profoundly mystical attitude allowed him to reach a depth of reconciliation within himself, with other people, with other creatures and, ultimately, with God.

ConclusionConclusion

Who Is My Neighbor?Who Is My Neighbor?

Both Francis’ actions, as seen in his preaching to the Birds at Bevagna and his writings, as seen in the “Canticle of Creatures” are powerful sources of inspiration for Christians, offering elements for a “new paradigm” that is “Ecological Conversion”.

Both Francis’ actions, as seen in his preaching to the Birds at Bevagna and his writings, as seen in the “Canticle of Creatures” are powerful sources of inspiration for Christians, offering elements for a “new paradigm” that is “Ecological Conversion”.

They were more than just inspiration They were more than just inspiration material for drawing humanity closer to material for drawing humanity closer to God, but praised God in their own right.God, but praised God in their own right.

Francis allowed himself to be led by God Francis allowed himself to be led by God into a new way of relating to creatures as into a new way of relating to creatures as “brothers” and “sisters”. “brothers” and “sisters”.

Francis pushes the boundaries for

Christians today to reconsider and broaden their

understanding of the gospel question:

‘Who is my neighbour?’‘Who is my neighbour?’

Important attitudes needed for an Important attitudes needed for an ecological conversion todayecological conversion today

• Poverty and simplicityPoverty and simplicity• Ecological humility, which includes an Ecological humility, which includes an

appreciation of the “Universe Story”appreciation of the “Universe Story”• Contemplative listeningContemplative listening• Learning from Earth’s processesLearning from Earth’s processes• Seeing a link between interiority and structuresSeeing a link between interiority and structures

• New challenges call for new responses in the New challenges call for new responses in the Church, particularly in liturgy, to highlight the link Church, particularly in liturgy, to highlight the link between faith in Jesus Christ and conversion to between faith in Jesus Christ and conversion to the gospel. the gospel.

by Gearóid Francisco Ó Conaire OFM

Ireland/Central America

by Gearóid Francisco Ó Conaire OFM

Ireland/Central America