Traveling Light

A paradox is an ultimate kind of surprise. Expecting one thing and winding upholding its opposite can bring brilliant revelation. Jesus was a teacher of surprise. He is the master of reversal: “many who are first will be last, and the last will be first”—this is Jesus’ kind of phrasing (Matthew 19:30). Christians might go on a long fast and find an energy like they never knew before. People can let go of things and find themselves possessing joy, like nothing their possessions ever brought them.

In the Franciscan ideal, friars learned about how Francis took up a relationship with Lady Poverty and found himself enriched. This relationship with Lady Poverty was a way of saying, he gave up his wealth and possessions. I remember a phrase from a Lenten sermon which was. “I am learning to travel light through this life because I am only passing through.” There is just no good result to come from loading yourself up with things that weigh you down.

In our Gospel lesson for this Sunday, which goes with the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, we see that Jesus means to offer wisdom that comes from his heart to the simple and innocent. The most precious things to know are not handed to the most intelligent or the wisest by the world’s standards, they are going to “infants”:

Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
(Matthew 11:25–27)

He Jesus says that he will swap out our heaven burdens for his light yoke. The learning he has to put upon us is the highest, and the most substantive, but carrying it will bring rest, not fatigue. Jesus never has the predictable thing to say and teach, it is often the surprising reversal of our usual thinking:

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
(Matthew 11:28-30)

May we further discover through Jesus, the way the rule of God is different and more wonderful than we could ever predict. Francis discovered this and he emulated it in a life of complete surprise. That is why his life had such an astounding impact on the world ever after. That is why the prayer attributed to Francis has poetry such as. “it is in giving that we receive; it is on pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” Another slice from his prayer-life follows; let us make it ours:

May the power of your love O Lord, fiery and sweet as honey,

wean my heart from all that is under heaven,

so that I may die for love of your love

You who were so good as to die for love of my love. Amen. [St Francis of Assisi]