Not many take Jesus' words...
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Not many take Jesus' words to hate father and mother literally. Even turning one's back
on parents for the sake of the gospel is not very common. But one famous example is
Saint Francis of Assisi. Francis, born in 1182 AD, was born into wealth, his father being
a wealthy cloth merchant. Early in life, Francis enjoyed the life that riches brought: He
dressed well and partied hard.
When Francis was about twenty, he joined in the battle between Assisi and Perugia. He was captured and spent a year in prison, where he suffered from a low fever. In prison, Francis had the opportunity to rethink his life. He found it wanting. Yet, upon his release he returned to his privileged life.
In 1205, Francis suffered from a second illness that halted his plans of joining another battle. He returned to Assisi, where people noticed a marked difference in him. When his companions asked him about his changed demeanor and his absentmindedness, Francis announced he would soon marry a wife of surpassing beauty. This wife was Lady Poverty.
So began Francis' austere life. Francis' father refused to accept Francis' changed life and did all he could to change him back, including whipping him, locking him up at home, and having him forego his inheritance. The latter Francis assented in dramatic fashion. Standing before the authorities, Francis stripped, laid his clothes before his father with the words, "Hitherto I have called you my father on earth; henceforth I desire to say only, 'Our Father who art in heaven.' "
When Francis was about twenty, he joined in the battle between Assisi and Perugia. He was captured and spent a year in prison, where he suffered from a low fever. In prison, Francis had the opportunity to rethink his life. He found it wanting. Yet, upon his release he returned to his privileged life.
In 1205, Francis suffered from a second illness that halted his plans of joining another battle. He returned to Assisi, where people noticed a marked difference in him. When his companions asked him about his changed demeanor and his absentmindedness, Francis announced he would soon marry a wife of surpassing beauty. This wife was Lady Poverty.
So began Francis' austere life. Francis' father refused to accept Francis' changed life and did all he could to change him back, including whipping him, locking him up at home, and having him forego his inheritance. The latter Francis assented in dramatic fashion. Standing before the authorities, Francis stripped, laid his clothes before his father with the words, "Hitherto I have called you my father on earth; henceforth I desire to say only, 'Our Father who art in heaven.' "
