Blessed is the person who supports his neighbor in his weakness as he would want to be supported were he in a similar situation.
Saint Francis of Assisi
Blessed Is The Person
Topic: Virtue, Morality, & Ethics
“Blessed is the person who support his neighbor in his weakness as he would want to be supported were he in a similar situation.”
Saint Francis of Assisi, born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone around 1181 in Assisi, Italy, emerged as a central figure in Catholicism due to his deep spirituality and radical embodiment of Christian ideals. His early life was characterized by opulence, as he was born into a wealthy cloth merchant's family. However, a transformative experience during his youth, marked by a severe illness and imprisonment during a military expedition, catalyzed a profound spiritual awakening. This pivotal moment led him to renounce his family's wealth and embrace a life of poverty. Francis's commitment to living in simplicity and his devotion to Christ were deeply influential in his journey. He adopted a life of mendicancy and piety, often finding solace in remote locations where he prayed and sought spiritual communion.
Francis's spiritual journey was marked by significant milestones, most notably the founding of several religious orders. His initial act of repairing a dilapidated chapel in Assisi was symbolic of his broader mission to rejuvenate the Christian Church. He founded the Order of Friars Minor, a congregation committed to the ideals of poverty, humility, and the preaching of the Gospel. His charisma and genuine love for all of God's creation, including animals and the environment, attracted a diverse following. Additionally, he established the Order of Saint Clare (Poor Clares) for women, and the Third Order of Saint Francis for laypeople, expanding his influence across various strata of medieval society. His contributions culminated in the Custody of the Holy Land, emphasizing his commitment to safeguarding Christian holy places.
Regarded as one of the most venerated religious figures in history, Saint Francis's legacy extends far beyond the Franciscan orders he founded. His teachings and life story resonate with themes of universal love, compassion, and a profound connection with nature. His stigmata, a mystical experience of receiving the wounds of Christ, further cemented his status as a spiritual luminary. Francis’s teachings, particularly his emphasis on living in harmony with nature and his advocacy for peace and understanding, have transcended religious boundaries, making him a symbol of interfaith harmony and environmental stewardship. His life and teachings continue to inspire countless individuals across the globe, embodying the essence of selfless service and humility. Saint Francis of Assisi's life narrative is a testament to the transformative power of faith and the enduring impact of living a life dedicated to spiritual principles and altruistic values.
St. Francis of Assisi, Adm 18:1; FAED Vol. 1, pg. 134 [All of St. Francis' GR quotes can be found in Volume 1 of Francis of Assisi: Early Documents (FAED).] - Bob Golobish, Secular Franciscan Order.
Saint Francis of Assisi
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St. Francis of Assisi
The Golden Rule Chronology
c. 1220 Francis of Assisi, who often invokes the golden rule, at least four times formulates it using a same-situation clause (the earliest such use that I’m aware of), as in “Blessed is the person who supports his neighbor in his weakness as he would want to be supported were he in a similar situation.”
–Rev., Dr. Harry Gensler S.J. [The Golden Rule Chronology].
Connecting The Golden Rule and St. Francis of Assisi
The Golden Rule (GR) says: “Treat others as you want to be treated.” On and off over the last few years, I have been doing some background reading on the GR. The writings of Harry J. Gensler S.J., a philosophy professor, ethicist, and logician, have been most helpful.
The GR is an ancient, very popular, and widespread moral principle. It is common to all the world’s major religions and cultures. It has become an important concept in inter-religious dialogue.
It is my hope that this blog post will prompt Franciscans everywhere to realize that the GR is part of their rich heritage and that they will offer the GR as a framework for improving relationships.
First, however, there is a problem. When pushed to extremes, a literal interpretation of the GR can lead to absurdities. In his book Ethics and the Golden Rule, Gensler identifies six shortcomings, which he calls “GR fallacies.”
The literal GR fallacy assumes that everyone has the same likes, dislikes, and needs that we have.
The soft GR fallacy assumes that we should never act against what others want.
The doormat GR fallacy assumes that we should ignore our own interests.
The third-parties GR fallacy assumes that we should consider only ourselves and the other person.
The easy GR fallacy assumes that GR gives an infallible test of right and wrong that takes only seconds to apply.
The too-simple-or-too-complex GR fallacy assumes GR is either for kindergarteners or philosophers, not regular folks.
Gensler argues that the GR needs a same-situation clause to overcome these fallacies. So, he added one. Gensler’s GR reads as follows: “Treat others only as you consent to being treated in the same situation.”
This is where St. Francis of Assisi enters into the discussion. Gensler is an expert on the GR and its history. According to Gensler, St. Francis of Assisi may have been the first person to use the GR with a same-situation clause. (St. Francis certainly was the first Franciscan to do so!)
Below are the citations I found in St. Francis’ writings. I have italicized the same-situation clause when St. Francis uses it. All of St. Francs’ GR quotes can be found in Volume 1 of Francis of Assisi: Early Documents (FAED).
“And let him have and show mercy to each of his brothers as he would want them to do to him were he in a similar position.” 2 LtF 43; FAED Vol.1, pg. 48
“Let them behave among themselves according to what the Lord says: Do to others what you would have them do to you; and Do not do to another what you would not have done to you.” ER 4:4; FAED Vol.1, pg. 66
“Let the minister, on his part, endeavor to provide for them as he would wish to be provided for him were he in a similar position.” ER 6:2; FAED Vol. 1, pg. 68
“Let each one confidently make known his need to another that the other might discover what is needed and minister to him.” ER 10:1; FAED Vol. 1, pg. 71
“And let the custodian provide for him with mercy as he would wish to be provided for were he in a similar position.” Lt Min 17; FAED Vol. 1, pg. 98
“When any brother falls sick, the other brothers must serve him as they would wish to be served themselves.” LR 6:9; FAED Vol. 1, pg. 103
“Blessed is the person who support his neighbor in his weakness as he would want to be supported were he in a similar situation.” Adm 18:1; FAED Vol. 1, pg. 134
However, the same-situation clause is not enough. To use the GR wisely, Gensler recommends four additional factors that should be considered: KITA (Know-Imagine-Test-Act):
Know: “How would my action affect others?”
Imagine: “What would it be like to have this done to me in the same situation?”
Test for consistency: “Am I now willing that if I were in the same situation then this be done to me?”
Act toward others only as you are willing to be treated in the same situation.
The GR has always been a useful guide for interactions with others. With the addition of the same-situation clause and KITA, the GR becomes even more useful.
Additional St. Francis Quotes
“And let him have and show mercy to each of his brothers as he would want them to do to him were he in a similar position.”
–St. Francis of Assisi [2 LtF 43; FAED Vol.1, pg. 48].
“Let them behave among themselves according to what the Lord says: Do to others what you would have them do to you; and Do not do to another what you would not have done to you.”
–St. Francis of Assisi [ER 4:4; FAED Vol.1, pg. 66].