From the Center for Action and Contemplation, the Daily Meditation for April 28, 2024. Written by Richard Rohr:
Like Jesus, my spiritual father Francis of Assisi (1182–1226) was connected to the Source. He truly experienced radical participation in God’s very life. Such practical knowing of his value and true identity allowed Francis to let go of status, privilege, and wealth. Francis knew he was part of God’s plan, connected to creation and other beings, inherently in communion and in love. Francis taught his followers to own nothing so they would not be owned by their possessions.
Richard Rohr talks about the Franciscans, how they weren’t interested in money or status, how they lived in poverty, owning nothing. I was lucky to have some money of my own, enough to live simply, and I could use my time for what I wanted to do. I never bought things for status, I bought them because I loved them, because they were beautiful or meaningful, or else utilitarian and necessary. I spent a lot of money building Neskaya, but that wasn’t about status, it was about having sacred space in which to do sacred dance.
I do have too many things. I’ve given a lot away when I could find someone who wanted them. My big problem with throwing things away is that I felt “thrown away” in my family of origin, and always felt that I had to find a good home for things.
I don’t feel “connected to the Source,” but it was true that status, privilege and wealth were never important to me. I see that what was important was meaning and beauty and truth. And what are “meaning, beauty and truth” if not the same thing as “sacred.” At least that was true for me. I didn’t believe in “God” but that was because I thought “God” was judgmental and punitive. I choose to trust that God is infinitely compassionate, though because of my life experience, alcoholic parents, early trauma, it’s still hard for me to trust that that’s true.
When Erica told me I “gave my life energy to sacred meaning,” it felt true to me, but it was hard for me to see how. Now I see the truth of it. This morning I told God that I wanted to do Their Will, and asked what it was, and God said “Take care of yourself.” I see a face with a very loving, compassionate smile. Thank You.