Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary use words

“Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary use words.”  The words are often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi – and certainly reflects a part of the Franciscan charism – but…. he never said it.  People sometimes wonder why I am persistent in reminding people that this very popular expression is only a cliché and a pale image of St. Francis.  Well, that is because it is in these type of reductions we try to harness, control and make safe the life of the saint from Assisi instead of letting us be swept away by the full story.Francis did indeed focus on proclaiming the word in deed – as well as in word.  And if you have ever read any of Francis’ own writings it is easy to see that Scripture is infused everywhere in his words, his life and his being – and his actions.  The accounts about Francis told by others are similar.  It is easy to see where the oft-quoted phrase came from; for example, from the Legend of the Three Companions:

“Calling together the six brothers, Saint Francis, since he was full of the grace of the Holy Spirit, predicted to them what was about to happen. “Dearest brothers,” he said, “let us consider our vocation, to which God has mercifully called us, not only for our own good, but for the salvation of many. We are to go throughout the world, encouraging everyone, more by deed than by word, to do penance for their sins and to recall the commandments of God. Do not be afraid that you seem few and uneducated. With confidence, simply proclaim penance, trusting in the Lord, who conquered the world. Because by his Spirit, He is speaking through and in you, encouraging everyone to be converted to him and to observe his commandments”

Where one can take the  “Preach the Gospel….” expression and reduced it to “live a good life and let the life speak for itself,” Francis seems to say the lived life is a proof that you have let the Gospel change you – but in the end one must “simply proclaim” the need, the basis, and the way of change, repentance, conversion to God.  The demonstration of your life is but a prelude to the words you will proclaim.

In 1991 the Catholic Church published Dialogue and Proclamation (DP).  It is document that addresses the need to continue to evangelize in a modern pluralistic society – where everyone knows the end point of your proclamation’s intent. Which is why dialogue comes first.

DP holds inter-religious dialogue to be part of the mission of the Church (DP 33-41), and the document provides a framework for methods of dialogue: (a) a dialogue of life, where people strive to live in an open and neighborly spirit, sharing their joys and sorrows, their human problems and preoccupations; (b) a dialogue of action, in which Christians and others collaborate for the integral development and liberation of people; (c) a dialogue of theological exchange, where specialists seek to deepen their understanding of their respective religious heritages, and to appreciate each other’s spiritual values; and (d) a dialogue of religious experience, where persons rooted in their own religious traditions share their spiritual riches, for instance with regard to prayer and contemplation, faith, and ways of searching for God or the Absolute.  The point is that in the end, words are necessary. But dialogue in all its forms precede it.

Here in Tampa we have a wonderful ministry that was started by the downtown churches and eventually grew into a large independent 501(c)3 charity (Metropolitan Ministries). I tell the tale of going down on a Saturday morning and witnessing three people doing great work with the homeless.  All three are respectful, empathetic and welcoming to the homeless. In my telling of the tale, I go to speak to all three, to compliment them on their ministry and presence – and to ask why they are there.  The first ones says, “Oh…well… the judge gave me 20 hours of community service.”  The second says, “My folks said if I did this all summer they would let me drive to school for my senior year.”  The third one simply says, “The love of God compels me.” Same witness of action, but a very different proclamation.

The life of Francis of Assisi was of someone compelled by the love of God. Compelled to a dialogue with the world. Compelled to a proclamation of words in the praise of God.

“Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary use words?”  Catchy, but lacking, or so it seems to me.  “Conversion, dialogue and proclamation at all times, and in the end use words of love” would be a better reduction – but it is admittedly less catchy.

Maybe a better idea is to avoid the reductions all together and simply tell the stories of Francis and believe in the power of the narrative.  People are insightful.  They’ll get it.