BOOK REVIEW - RELUCTANT SAINT - The Life of Francis of Assisi

Reluctant Saint
The Life of Francis of Assisi by Donald Spoto

The last uttered words of Francis of Assisi, minutes before his death, to his long time companions Bernard and Giles was this:  “I have done what is mine.  May Christ teach you what is yours to do.”  (p. 215)

All who are attempting to follow Christ must decide what our discipleship will look like.  Perhaps too often we don’t decide.  We just follow the flow of those around us, not realizing that we have unique choices.  This book was a look at Francis’s life, his conversion and the facets of his faith as they evolved over the years.  It made me look at my own evolution of faith.  It made me want to make some choices about what is mine “to do.”   What can I take from Francis of Assisi in my own spiritual journey?

Francis was a rich self-indulged young man when he found God in the crucifix in an old church.

“....this immense and unimaginably good God, Who addressed Francis in the image of the poor, crucified one, also brought him to life, gave him purpose, rescued him from chaos....Francis had not only been lifted from the depths of depression, he had been lifted out of the prison of self.” (p.46)

To commemorate this day Francis composed a short prayer:  “Most High, glorious God: enlighten the darkness of my heart and give me true faith, certain hope and perfect charity, sense and knowledge, Lord—that I may carry out Your holy and true command.”   He lived this prayer every day for the next 22 years of his life.

These are the tenants of Francis’s Christian commitments:

- God is the absolute good and must have priority in our lives
- Our lives themselves manifest the praise of God.
- We give thanks for the beauty of the world.
- We long to believe fully in the triune God, Who created, redeemed and will finally act in love to save us forever.
- We long to desire nothing but God, on Whom we depend and in Whom we hope.
- We want to love God because He has first loved us.
- Doing penance means constantly turning to God.
- We are poor because God alone is rich, and everything good belongs to Him Who gives us everything.  He is not unfeeling or indifferent, but He constantly draws near to us, speaks to us, saves us.
- For all these reasons, we are also concerned for the well-being and salvation of all mankind.
- We prefer the celebration and the living out of faith rather than disputing about it—hence we go among unbelievers and preach to others mostly by example. (p. 185)

Francis reiterated these beliefs 5 years before his death when his followers had grown large and the basic elements of his teachings were threatened to fall into the pot of other mainstream religious fraternities. 

Francis’ fraternal order took root as many were drawn to his simple upbeat sermons and his service to the poor.  He started with the lepers:

“The Lord gave me, Brother Francis, thus to begin doing penance in this way: for when I was in sin, it seemed too bitter for me to see lepers.  And 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 soul and body.” ( p.210)

I couldn’t help but judge some of Francis’ decisions.  He had bad health most of his life.  It was shocking he lived to 44, considering all of his ailments.  Did he fast too much?  Did his desire for poverty limit good food choices?  Did his work with the lepers and the sick put his health at risk?  He most likely had leprosy when he died.  At one point , after a failed attempt to travel to Spain by ship he decided he would walk – barefoot from Italy.  He had a desire to preach to the Muslims in Spain, even though he knew they would kill him.  He always hoped he could be a martyr for Christ.  His health kept him from completing the journey and his health worsened after.  He said of his martyrdom:  “To suffer this illness, even for three days, is harder for me than any martyrdom would be.”   (p.199) But, he did what he did for his spiritual health, which was more important than his life or bodily health. 

Francis embarked on and interesting (but crazy) journey to Egypt during the Fifth Crusade.   His desire was to bear Christianity to the Muslin sultan.  His wish was granted with amazing results:

“But the sultan was a man who appreciated true faith wherever he found it, he also admired Francis’s character, his wholehearted commitment to his faith and his clear contempt for the luxuries of the world.  ‘I am going to act against this advice,’ al-Kamil said to Francis when they were alone.  ‘I will never condemn you to death—for that would indeed be an evil reward to bestow on you, who conscientiously risked death in order to save my life before God, as you believe.’ “ (p.161)

This trip further depleted Francis’s health as he attempted to help the many disease-ridden poor and dying victims of the atrocities of the Crusades.  On the trip home his eyes became infected and he lost most of his vision as a result. 

What most impressed me about Francis was his commitment to a cheery upbeat ministry.  He never preached the gospel of fear, which was popular at the time.  He believed in being an example of joy, peace, love and happiness, despite his poverty and suffering.  He was a troubadour of happy songs of faith and a preacher of good will.   I believe it was the secret to his success.  His desire was for the “fraternity to remain ...a lay movement without the bonds of institutional and clerical structures.” (p.149)  But as it became larger and the church became more involved things began to change and this is the one time when Francis became discouraged, depressed, and feeling he had failed.

Two years before his death Francis had a dream that helped him to understand his faith, which was based on his desire to imitate the life of Jesus and not on any perceived mortal successes or failures.   Like Francis we all have many opportunities for conversion as life hands us trials and experiences that teach and change us.

Perhaps I am a kindred spirit to Francis of Assissi because of my love of birds.  About 20 years ago I had a spiritual experience involving hawks on my morning walk.  See Wings of Hope  Birds have become a symbol of my hope for my family.  Now in our new home Mike and I feed the birds from the trees visible from our living area.  It brings us a lot of joy.

“...throughout the Middle Ages, birds were often used to represent souls, because they can fly up to God.  They were also potent symbols of freedom.  In the feudal system, the majority of people were tied to the land, and almost no one was mobile.  But birds were unfettered, cheerful, singing, hopeful—everything workers aspired to be.”  ( p. 103)

Francis had more success with the lowest level of society—the poor and manual workers, poetically symbolized by birds.  In describing his last moments, Francis’s friends never forgot one detail:  “Many birds, called larks, flew low above the roof of the house where he lay, wheeling in a circle and singing.”
(p. 215)

Thanks to Rebecca Bateman for recommending this book and her great review that enticed me to read it.  It has caused me to take a serious look at what is mine to do and I do believe that Christ will teach me if I seek him in faith.

STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

 I love winter squash.  This is a very nice festive dish that could be a vegetarian main dish.  I like to pick through the acorns in the grocery story and get the smaller ones so that each person has their own half otherwise it is too much for one person, especially as a side dish.  It would be fine as a main dish.  If you have smaller squash this stuffing will make 4 halves. 

1 whole Acorn Squash, Cut In Half Lengthwise
or 2 smaller squash
 2 teaspoons Brown Sugar
 2 teaspoons Butter
Stuffing
 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
 ½ cup Celery, Diced
2 T. grated onion
1 whole Tart Apple, Peeled, Cored, And Diced
 ½ teaspoons Dried Thyme
 1/4 -1/2 teaspoons Curry Powder as per your curry taste
 ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon
¼ cup Dried Cranberries
1/4 C. chopped toasted pecans or walnuts (optional)
 ½ cup Chicken Stock
2 slices of sturdy bread (Artisan Type)
Salt To Taste
 Freshly Ground Pepper, to taste

Preparation Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Scrape seeds and stringy flesh from squash. Place squash in a baking dish, cut sides up. Pour 1/2 inch of water in the bottom of the dish. Put one teaspoon butter and one teaspoon brown sugar in each half.
3. Place in the oven for 30-40 minutes or until it is almost fork tender.
4. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet and add the celery, onion, apples, thyme, curry, and cinnamon. Cook until softened. Remove skillet from heat and set aside.
5. Place cubed bread on a baking sheet and set next to the squash in the oven. Bake for about 10 minutes..
6. Add cranberries, nuts and the toasted bread to the skillet mixture and gently stir to combine. While stirring, slowly add the chicken broth. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Fill the squash with stuffing and place back into oven for 15 more minutes or until the squash is tender.

THE HEARTS OF THE CHILDREN TURNING via the Internet

 My mother and birth father

My mother's brother Dee when the children were babies

 

The Graves and Marvell Cousins with Uncle Jack

I have come to believe that Miracles and happy surprises abound when the children turn their hearts to their fathers in an attempt to chronicle their family history.  It was so for me this year.  After taking a 6-week genealogy class, during Sunday School, I committed to finally get into it.  I decided that I would dedicate Thursdays to family history endeavors. 

I stood in my office closet staring at the boxes that held years of pictures and other family memorabilia  from my maternal grandmother, my mother and my own.  “Every Thursday, a box at a time.”   I told myself . “You can do it.”  I sorted and filed feeling happy, every Thursday, that I was making progress. 

As I sorted my grandmother’s pictures I had an overwhelming realization that I was the last one who would know many of the people in the photos.   If I handed these photographs, in their scrambled form, to my children they would not know what to do with them.  Then I thought of the other grandchildren, and cousins  who might want copies of these pictures, so I proceeded to scan hundreds of pictures making several family Web albums.  I labeled each picture with the names and dates as I could.  I made the files public and sent a link to all the family members that I have e-mail for.  They have the option to peruse the pictures and download any or all. 

One of the web files had two pictures of my birth father that I never knew.  He and my mother were divorced before I was born.  He moved to a distant state and we had no contact with him.   When I was 30 and he was 55 he died of a heart attack and my aunt , who lived in the hometown of his youth, gave me a copy of his obituary.   I knew from this that he had a daughter.

Two months ago this daughter googled her father’s name and discovered the photos.  She didn’t know I existed and we are now e-mailing.    She lives across the country from me and I am not sure what will become of our connection but I feel there is a reason for us finding each other. 

Two weeks later I received another surprise contact from two cousins, who had disappeared from our lives, many years earlier.  My mother had a younger brother who was killed in a mining accident when he was 29 years old.  His wife,  took their boy and 2 small girls and moved away to be closer to her parents several states away.  Sadly, eventually they lost contact with the family and the years moved on.  The two girls are in their late 40’s now.  They had no pictures of their father, except a small obituary picture, until the day they googled his name and came up with dozens of pictures on my web files.  They knew very little about him personally. 

This connection has thrilled me.  I have written family stories for years.  I have been able to give these cousins a piece of their Dad and lost grandparents, aunts and uncles.  They are crying with joy at finally having some connection to their father.

My mother and her sister died in their 60’s, less than a year apart, more than 20 years ago.  I have not had contact with my aunt’s children all these 20 years until this week.  I decided that these 3 cousins needed to have access to the web albums if they desired them.  There are many pictures of their mother as a child and young woman and some of the cousins when they were young and our families spent time together.  So, I called information looking for someone that would give me a phone number or contact information.  The person who answered wondered how I got their number, as it is unlisted...a little miracle?   Before the next day I had phone numbers and e-mails of all 3 cousins.  Now they have the grandparent stories, histories, other family stories and access to the pictures.  And we have promised to get together. One of these cousins has scanned their family pictures and offered to send me a copy.  I am excited to see what they have. 

The last little blessing of my Thursday commitment happened when I handed my husband a box of his “stuff” that I had sorted out of the mass.  I said,  “When you die your children will throw this box of memorabilia away.  But if you put it in a book chronologically, with notes, it will mean something.”  I gave him a large loose-leaf binder, some clear page protectors, A pile of colored cardstock and he went at it.  He copied all the newspaper clippings and highlighted stories about himself.  He wrote some little vignettes about his life and put it all together, with pictures, to make something worth going through.

I have felt strongly the hand of the Lord in all of this.  Angel Moroni told Joseph...”and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers.  If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming.”   (JS History 1:39)  Utterly wasted!  No wonder there are so many miracles that happen in this endeavor.

CRANBERRY CRUNCH CAKE WITH WARM ORANGE SAUCE

This was my favorite new recipe this Christmas season.  My sister-in-law, Alicia Chilcote,  made the cake for my birthday in November.  I liked her version but thought it needed a little orange zing in the cake and the sauce.  I also have an Orange Crunch Cake I like and decided to put the crunch topping on this.  I cut half the fat from the original sauce and the cake only has 3 T. of oil, which I questioned but it works.  The fresh cranberries add all the needed moisture.  This is a very nice holiday or winter dish.

THE CRUNCH TOPPING  -  Crush 3 whole graham crackers (1/2 C)  and mix with 1/4 C brown sugar, 1/4 C of  fine chopped nuts (optional) and 1/4 C melted butter  -  Press into the bottom of a well greased bundt pan and up the sides a little.  

CRANBERRY CAKE 

2 Cups flour    

1 Cup sugar  

1 egg beaten
2 tsp. Baking Powder

1/2 tsp. Baking Soda

½ tsp salt
3 T Oil
3 cups fresh Cranberries (sort out the squishy ones)

The juice of 1 large orange and milk to make 2/3 cup

1 T. finely grated orange peel

Mix dry ingredients together.  Add orange juice mixture, egg and oil.  Mix well (will be a stiff batter, add 1 T of milk if it seems too dry)  add cranberries and peel.  Pour over the crunch mixture carefully.  Bake @ 350 for about 35-40 min.   This can be made in a 9x13 pan also.  I have had a little problem getting the middle top cooked in the bundt. pan.   Serve with warm sauce.

SAUCE
Melt 1/4 C butter in a sauce pan add 2 T flour and stir for one minute on medium heat.  Add  1 C. sugar 3/4 C. fresh orange juice and 1 T. orange peel and 1/2 C whipping cream.  Bring to a boil.  Serve warm over the cake. Lovely, lovely!

LOST IN BUDAPEST

 I loved Budapest, even though my first day didn't turn out so well (as you will read in the story that follows)   I read "The Bridge to Andau" by James Mitchner (about the 1956 revolution against the Russians) before coming on this vacation and the story captivated me so that I couldn't wait to see the city. I wasn't disappointed.   I liked it better than Vienna.  The Danube separates the cities of Buda and Pest and something about a river running through a city is always charming.  That is what I loved about Paris also.   I have a Picasa Web Album with some select pictures of Budapest if you are interested.  

http://picasaweb.google.com/gibblegabble/BudapestForBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCIy8kp7liqecqwE&feat=directlink

This story is a bit embarrassing on my part but oh well, here it is. 

This was the restaurant that we checked out as we moved down the street.  I waited across the corner from here.

An event from my 5 weeks in Europe on Sept 23, 2010

I yelled on the streets of Budapest, loud enough for everyone on the street that day to hear me, all the while Mike was sushing me.  “Everyone can hear you, he said.  “I don’t care if they can hear me,” I screamed.  I wanted sympathy, not censure.  I wanted understanding, not blame.  I still think I was right but not to yell, necessarily.

I didn’t plan to get mad.  I had been in control up until the moment Mike finally found me, at least I thought I was.  I couldn’t imagine how we had come to this.  Isn’t the first rule of being lost to stay put and the second rule to go back to the last place you were together?  These two ideas nailed me to a Budapest street corner and I couldn’t move in fear of making it all worse.

We arrived in Budapest after 3 days in Vienna, taking the train for 2 ½ hours through the fields of corn and red roofed hamlets.  It was a miserable ride for me.  Four German speaking adults, facing each other, sat across the aisle from us, chatting so loudly that I began to be irritated.  I was tired and wanted to sleep but the seats were not comfortable.  I tried to read but the ongoing guttural German distracted me.  We hadn’t eaten since breakfast and it was 2:30 when we arrived and 4:30 before we were settled in our charming flat.  We needed to exchange euros into Hungarian money and the place to do it was temporarily closed.

It was 5:30 before we headed down the street to find a restaurant.  My stomach was hurting and I was set up for a good low blood sugar tantrum.  We spent several minutes on a corner checking out a restaurant menu.  Cheryl went across the street to take pictures of a church she said was bathed in the afternoon sun.  When she returned she said, “You should take pictures of that church, it is very lovely.”  So I crossed the street and moved down a bit out of sight to snap my photos.  When I returned they were all gone.  I better stay put, was all I could think. I had drummed into my children often the rules of being lost (but obviously not to my husband).  There was a street that angled off on the left besides the 4 corner streets and we had wondered about restaurants there...what if they took this street?  So, I parked myself by a piece of granite on our corner.  I thought it would be good because they could see me from the cross street also.   That turned out to be a mistake.

After 30 minutes I started to panic a little.  I knew I could find my way back to our flat but it was too early for that.  I just couldn’t believe that they wouldn’t come back.  50 minutes later a scruffy looking man came and stood next to the marble block I was leaning on and started to smoke.  I moved away and leaned against the side of a building close to the corner.   Within the hour I saw Mike far down the street moving toward me.  His face was like a thundercloud.  He hadn’t eaten either.   Two low blood sugar eruptions were inevitable.  He started to blame me for not coming on down the street.  He said there was a plaza in front of the church and they had been waiting there, thinking that surely I would know that was where they were.  I argued the point.  How would I know there was a plaza there?  How would I even know which street they took?  The more critical he became of my decision to stay put the angrier I became.  “ Why wouldn’t you come back to the place you saw me last?”  I screamed.  “I couldn’t move.  I was paralyzed with not knowing what to do, surely you can understand that.”  But he argued with me, saying he looked up the street and didn’t see me.  My decision to stand by the marble block was clearly not the best idea as it put me out of the direct line of view.

I wanted Mike to come running up the street when he saw me, take me in his arms and press my head to his chest.  I would cry and he would say, “I am so glad we found you.  I was so worried.” ...what a fantasy that was.

We regrouped and found a lovely little restaurant with a patio.  We had a nice meal, but I didn’t enjoy it in the spirit I wanted to.  There was tension between Mike and me.  He told me later that he was more embarrassed for me on that day than he has ever been.  That was hard to hear but I can say that I was more disappointed in his reaction to my difficulty than I have ever been. (After 40 years of marriage I doubt that is true of either of us.)   His criticism crushed me.  The hour alone on that corner was filled with a lot of fear and stress.  Then the argument on top of it all left me physically and emotionally drained.

So, why did I write this? (One reason is I needed to vent after the incident that night with my trip journal)  I think there are lessons for both of us and one of them is that when the situation is understood there is no reason to blame the other.  Another lesson is abiding by the rules of being lost in the future.   The lost shouldn’t move and those looking for the lost should go back to the last place they were together.  Also, don’t scream in the street just because someone doesn’t agree with your decisions.  And lastly, carry some food with you.

THIN MINTS

I have posted this previously but without process pictures.  These Thin Mints can me made with  chocolate flavored drops, which I use, because I have a source of good fresh ones at Kitchen Kneads in Ogden.  I made them once with chocolate drops from Hobby Lobby and they were not as good.  Michael's crafts sells them also but I have yet to try those.   I am sure they can be made with real, good, bulk chocolate but everyone seems to be happy with these as I have always made them so I continue as such.   You need almost 2 lbs. of chocolate drops and 1 lb. of green ones, may be mint flavored but not necessary.  As you will see I augment the drops with a generous handful of good chocolate chips.  It makes all the difference. These are quick and easy to make.  My family loves them.  Enjoy!

 Layer one

 

Layer two

 

Layer Three and Cut

 

1.  Get a large sided cookie sheet and put four or five sheets of parchment paper (actually you can use newspaper if you don't have parchment.)  in the bottom cut to fit nicely. (this keeps you from cutting up the
bottom of your pan when you slice the mints) Next put 3 sheets of waxed paper or parchment over this cut to fit. The better the fit the nicer the edges of your mints.

2. You need 2 medium glass bowls (no plastic in the microwave it is not healthy) Add 1 lb. of chocolate drops (For a better flavor I remove 1/2 C and add in 1/2 C. good semisweet chocolate chips.)  Add 3 T. vegetable oil and 4-5 drops of mint extract (any mint you like). Heat in the microwave on 4 or 5 power for 3-4 minutes. You might need to stir to get them all melted.

3.  Pour onto the wax paper and spread with a spatula to get as even as possible. Tap a few times on the counter to level. Place in a cool place just until set. The only problem these mints have is if you let them sit too long between layers sometimes they separate when cutting.

4.  Make the mint layer the same with the entire pound and 3 T. of oil and I always add a little more mint even if they already have some mint flavor. Pour over the chocolate layer being careful not to interrupt your chocolate too much as you smooth it out. Tap to level again.

5. When your 2rd layer is set melt the last pound of chocolate as the first and pour, even and tap. Let them set an hour or so. They cut easier if they don't set up too long.

6.  I use an  exacto knife to cut them.  Score them first with a ruler to get an even cut or if you are not fussy just do a  1 1/4 inch eyeball.  Its OK if they are a little skeewampus...they taste the same. Sometimes the paper sticks to the bottom and must be peeled off some squares. I put them into plastic bags and then into a Large Christmas tin and then store them in a cool place. They stay beautiful all month and even until Valentines Day if you can keep them that long. This makes 3 lbs. I have often made 2 batches while I am at it so I have some to give away. Enjoy!

CASHEW BRITTLE

 This is not like peanut brittle.  It is thin, crispy, buttery, and very addictive.  If I can get someone started on it they are hooked for life. 

CASHEW BRITTLE
2 C. Sugar            1 C. Lt. corn syrup
½ C. Water
Bring to boil  in a large sauce pan or dutch oven size pan

and add 1 C. butter and cook to
Soft crack. (I just do a water test on this.

  When it feels hard in a bowl of cold water it is ready) 

Add 3 C.  raw cashews

(must be raw but the broken ones work fine) 

cook to a hard crack stirring constantly.

(Again I water test this when the nuts begin to brown a bit and

the syrup is a light caramel color drop a little syrup into a small

bowl of cold water.  It should be crispy hard but don't over cook) 

Add 1 tsp. Soda  and stir well. Pour onto the
Bottom of 2 well greased cookie sheets.  Stretch
the candy off the sheet while hot to as thin as possible--
two forks helps.  Break into pieces when cool

 Cooking the syrup to a soft crack

 Adding the nuts and stirring until it is a hard crack

 Add the soda and pour onto the bottom of two
cookies sheets sprayed well with Pam 

 

With a couple of forks stretch the hot mixture

gradually off the edge of the pan

making it as thin as possible.

Break into serving sizes when cool and store in an airtight container.

It will keep good for as long as it will last.

THE DANCING CHRISTMAS ELVES

Merry Christmas from the dancing elves,  Michael, Luke, Beau and Grandma and Grandpa Anderson.

FRESH HOMEMADE PASTA

Roll into a thin circle.  For lasagna cut into 2 inch slices

Cut into 4 pieces

Stack the pieces together and roll up

Slice the rolls into the desired width

Shake out the rolls to separate

The noodles can be cooked now or dried a little or a lot.

They cook faster when fresh.

Fresh Homemade Pasta   is easier and faster than you think and so delicious.

Just Egg Noodles
Beat 4 large eggs add 2 tsp. Oil and enough flour to make a kneadable dough. Knead for 5 minutes and let rest 15-30 minutes before rolling.  The dough needs to be stiff but not so stiff it is difficult to roll.  If you have a Kitchen Aid type mixer you can knead it there but by hand is very energizing

Spinach Egg Noodles
Beat 4 large eggs add ½ cup drained chopped frozen or fresh cooked spinach and 2 tsp. oil. Add flour to make a kneadable dough. Knead for 5 minutes and let rest before rolling.

Semolina Flour Noodles
Beat 4 eggs with 2 tsp. oil Add 1 cups of semolina flour and enough white flour to make a kneadable dough. Knead for 5 minutes and let rest  before rolling.  Semolina flour can be purchased at Kitchen Kneads in Ogden.  It makes a firmer noodle than just eggs.

Rolling and Cooking
Cut the dough into about 6 pieces. Roll each piece into a circle to the desired thinness. (For soup I usually make the noodles quite thin...for lasagna a little thicker. ) Use a little flour on the board when rolling and then dust with flour and cut into 4 pie shaped pieces. Stack the pieces on top of each other with the corners meeting. Roll into a small roll and slice into the desire noodle width. If you want to make lasagna noodles just cut the circle into 2-inch strips.  (Homemade noodles make fantastic lasagna)

Undo the rolls and dust with flour. This can be made ahead until ready to boil—just let sit on a cookie sheet or counter or cook right away.

Each of these recipes makes a large pot of soup or enough pasta for about 3-4 people. If you don’t want the noodles to thicken your soup boil them separately in water then drain and add to your soup (this makes a clear broth.) The flour you dust on them to keep them from sticking together thickens and clouds your soup, which can be nice if you have a rich broth.  Fresh pasta cooks very quickly in about 2-4 minutes, depending on the thickness.

HALLELUJAH

This made my day...very inspiring that there are that many people in the food court willing to rise and sing with such gusto. Merry Christmas!