Franciscan Spirituality in Non-Religious People

Saint Francis derived his faith and developed his spirituality from Scripture, in particular the First Book of Peter, the Gospel of John and the Gospel of Matthew, which is quoted below: 

The Parable of the Two Sons

“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard. ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. ‘Which of the two did what his father wanted?’ ‘The first,’ they answered. Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.’”

One recent homily I heard presented the exegesis of this story quite well: The purpose of the parable of the two sons serves as give a wake-up call to the chief priests and elders. The parable hints that their position as leaders of the Chosen People and their observance of Mosaic Law give them no guarantee that they will possess the Kingdom of God. Rather, because of their pride and their refusal to obey God’s call to repentance, they will exclude themselves from that Kingdom, while the tax-collectors and sinners, whom they despise, repenting of their sins and obeying Him, will be welcomed by Him into the Kingdom. Jesus presents two sons in this parable. The first son is asked to go into the vineyard, but he says "No." He later changes his mind and goes. The second says, "Yes" but does not go. Jesus then asks his listeners which of the two did the Father's will. 

The message of the story is crystal clear. There are two very common classes of people in this world. First, there are the people whose profession is much better than their practice. Second, there are those whose practice is far better than their profession. While the second class should be preferred to the first, neither is perfect because the good person is the one in whom profession and practice meet. The ideal son in the parable would be the son who accepted the father’s orders with grace and respect and unquestioningly and fully carried them out.  Further, this parable teaches us that promises can never take the place of performance, and fine words are never a substitute for fine deeds. “

Who Are the First and Second Sons Today? 

From Matthew's perspective, we see that the first son has become the Gentile or the Church, and the second son has become the Jew or Israel. As we look at how this applies to our day, we see that the first son, the faithful son, has another face. Today, the first son, might be recognized as a repentant alcoholic or a drug user, a small band of worshipers in a storefront, a church that reaches out to the needy in its community, a minister who calls parishioners to true repentance, a spouse who neglected marital duties but is willing to reconcile with his her family and do everything possible to bring back their marriage, all who, however reluctantly or painfully, obey Christ.  It might be the person who never attends church but is following Jesus and Saint Franics in their daily lives, helping others, caring for Creation, is changing the world by spreading peace and joy.

The second son might be recognized in the person who attends church regularly but who refuses Christ entry into his or her heart and life--a Christian who refuses to obey Christ in the sensitive areas of money and power,  a priest whose homily is designed to please people rather than to please God, a church that ignores issues of justice and mercy, a liturgical minister who fails to keep his or her commitment by not showing up prepared for their role in the liturgy, a faith formation leader that neglects to teach the catholic teachings, a person who leaves mass before the final blessing not because of an urgent reason, in other words, all who appear to be faithful but, down deep, are not. Are the people who attend daily mass, say their rosary faithfully, living out what they hear in church—clothing the naked, visiting the prisoner, feeding the hungry, caring for the sick? 

The key to the correct understanding of this parable is that it shows a picture of two very imperfect sets of people, of whom one set was better than the other. Neither son in the story was the kind of son to bring full joy to his father. Both were unsatisfactory, but the one who, in the end, obeyed was better than the other. We would do well not to emulate either of the sons. The ideal son would be the son who accepted the father’s orders with obedience and with respect and who unquestioningly and fully carried them out. Let both our words and our deeds be obedient. 

This parable reminds me of the faithful churchgoers who despise their fellow humans, especially the non-church goers, and think themselves superior, but are they really fulfilling the Father’s wishes? Saint Francis reached out to everyone regardless of their religious beliefs or lack thereof. 

For this article, I interviewed several people who fit into the category of those who considered themselves non-religious and found that most of them had as spirituality that resonated with Francis, and with the first son in Matthew’s gospel—although they did not obey God’s desire to worship him regularly, they did appreciate God’s Creation and Francis’ spirituality. Below you will find the questions posed to the interviewees along with their answers.

In addition to these interviews, I relied on Confronting Christianity, which poses twelve questions, many of which are often questions raised by non-religious people. Her twelve questions include:

• Why does a loving God allow suffering and pain in the world?

• How should Christians approach topics related to gender identify? (several of my respondents represented the LGBTQ community) 

• Are heaven and hell real?

• How can we trust the Bible as a reliable source of truth?

• Is there a conflict between science and faith?

• How and why does religion exclude diversity?

• Did Jesus truly rise from the dead?

• If God is all-powerful, why does evil exist?

• How can we respond to the failings of the Church

• Is Christianity the only path to salvation?

• What evidence supports the existence of Jesus?

• Is faith in Christ still relevant in a modern, secular age?

It is important to listen to these people and be prepared to answer their questions. By studying our faith and following the example of Jesus and Francis, I believe we can answer these questions. The author presents some alarming statistics about the numbers of people world-wide representing different religions as well as the non-religious. McLaughlin tells us that in the United States, about 31 percent of incoming university freshman claim no religious affiliation. However, in Historically Black Universities and Colleges, this number is only a little more than 11 percent. She believes America’s youth find religion not necessary in their lives. My sample consisted of mostly middle-aged people who seem to replicate this response, as you can see below:

Which Aspect or Aspects of Franciscan Spirituality Resonate with You? 

One person said, “This was really my first experience with Franciscan spirituality. For me, the idea of compassion and helping others always resonates with me. I think I used to see spirituality as sacrifice, giving up material goods and money in the service of helping others, i.e. being a spiritual counselor, energy worker, etc. I no longer feel that way. The ability to create an abundance of health, companionship, is the same as creating money. With money comes the ability to give more, help more, and the freedom to serve.” This comment resonated with me because it illustrated Francis’ poverty and how we can misuse the gifts we have. Another interviewee told me a story that really blended well with Francis’ views on materials goods.

“Thank you for educating me about more of St. Francis's life than his compassion for animals. What resonated with me about your article was St. Francis’ meeting the bishop after selling his father's wares. I feel that I have done a similar act, although not to the same degree as St. Francis. In 2017, I started a plant and animal sanctuary in Hawai'i, using the earnings from my Internet marketing business to fund the expense of running the sanctuary. In January 2019, during a home invasion I was held hostage. After eight hours of physically and sexually assaulting me, resulting in three concussions, two of which rendered me unconscious, they threatened to kill all of the animals in my care and then kill me. They wanted me to give them the keys to the front gate so they could leave with more than $30,000 in sanctuary tools, equipment, food, and clothes. I gave in. I gave up the keys, gave up the items, gave up my physical and mental capacity to run the Internet marketing company so the animals would not get killed. I went from a comfortable six figure annual income to getting $4686 annual state disability. I had saved the animals that night, but over the ensuing years the animals proceeded to save me.”  Another respondent said, “Reflecting on my journey and the life and teachings of St. Francis of Assisi, several aspects resonate deeply with me. First and foremost, Francis' emphasis on simplicity and poverty has profoundly impacted my perspective on life. His radical renunciation of material wealth and attachment to possessions speaks to the importance of prioritizing spiritual wealth over material abundance. This aspect resonates with me as it challenges societal norms centered on consumerism and materialism, prompting me to reevaluate my own values and priorities.

Secondly, Francis' unwavering love and compassion for all Creation, as expressed in his Canticle of the Creatures, resonate with me on a spiritual level. His profound connection to nature and recognition of the divine presence in every living being inspired me to cultivate a deeper reverence for the natural world and all its inhabitants. This aspect of Franciscan spirituality encourages me to strive for harmony with the world around me, fostering a sense of empathy and stewardship for the Earth, its people, and its creatures.”

The poverty theme was also prominent with the third respondent. “I was intrigued by the description of Francis’s approach to poverty. The statement ‘It’s not a sin to be rich. It’s a sin to die rich’ has been on my mind lately. I recently heard an interview of the widow of Steve Jobs, Lauren Powell Jobs, describe her philosophy around philanthropy. ‘I'm not interested in legacy wealth building, and my children know that. Steve wasn't interested in that. If I live long enough, it ends with me.’ 

I also resonated with the Peace and Compassion aspects as well. With all the political disarray rampant currently, it’s important to seek ways to make peace and find the best in people. We need guides and tools for improving communications and finding common ground so we can avoid disagreement among our family and friends and find ways to help each other, not cause hurt.” 

Peace and compassion were part of Francis’ daily life. Miriam-Webster defines “Peace” as “a state of tranquility or quiet: such as freedom from civil disturbance, freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions, harmony in personal relations, or period of mutual concord between governments.” We tend to think of peace as the last part of this definition—no war. But when we greet each other with the sign of peace in church are we asking for freedom of oppressive thoughts and emption to our fellow parishioner, as Francis likely did when he kissed the leper, or is it just a cursory greeting?

“Compassion:” Miriam-Webster defines compassion as “sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it.” The word literally means to walk with someone during their suffering. Francis showed compassion for his father as he was brought before the bishop to repay his father, but he also felt compassion for the poor who would have benefited from the money he would make by selling his stolen father’s property. Just as my non-religious friend felt compassion for the animals he was trying to help. Compassion is felt when we walk with the suffering of our world, as Francis was called to do when Christ spoke to him from the Cross in the church of San Damiano. Compassion does not belong only to the faithful Catholic sitting in the pews on Sunday.

Another self-identified non-religious person replied, “Being non-religious myself, I was unfamiliar with the stories of St. Francis. Although I taught for two years in a Franciscan high school, I did not learn about St. Francis there either. I like the fact that he was the patron saint of animals, as I often feel that animals are in a way more advanced than human beings. They do what they need to in order to survive but are not driven by greed, envy, hatred, or the need for power. I also liked reading his statements about Sir Brother Sun, Sister Moon and Stars, Brother Wind, Sister Water, Brother Fire, Mother Earth. I feel like my spirituality aligns more closely to the Native Americans than to organized religions.” 

Another interviewee said, “I am a cradle Catholic, so I've been familiar with the prayer of St. Francis sung during Mass at times, the blessing of the animals, and the medical focus of the Franciscan Order in the cities where I've lived. But I didn't appreciate the prayer until I read from Eknath Eswaran's (a Hindu spiritual teacher) passage about a meditation guide and his recommendation to start with St. Francis. The prayer is an amazing summary of discipleship to me now as I recite it as my spiritual passage during meditation. St. Francis' life was quite revolutionary in how he both spent time isolated in prayer and contemplation yet took action in the world. He didn't reject the world, as some other ascetic individuals did. He saw God at work in the world, he embraced the goodness of the world and God's creation. All these resonate with me. He was brave enough to kiss the leper despite his long repugnance of such people, a bravery I hope we can adopt more in our time for the social lepers among us. That includes bravery to come out as a social leper to reveal that aspect of God's image and love in the world. I have to work on that myself.

How Do You Live Out Franciscan Spirituality in Your Daily Life? 

One Interviewee said, “As I already shared, I put the prayer of St. Francis as my central passage for my practice of daily meditation. I read a lot from the works of Fr. Richard Rohr and lean toward interpreting church teaching from Jesus' intention instead of strict adherence to the rules. I'm a Dominican Associate, I have attended a Jesuit parish for decades, so I can't say I strictly have a Franciscan spirituality. I tend toward an interreligious perspective. I think St. Francis was one to roam freely in his time and place and associate with all kinds of people, so I take on that perspective about spirituality.

One respondent’s answer brought me back to the parable of the two sons. “I believe in helping others when possible. That can be as simple as reaching out with a call or a text. It can mean smiling at a stranger or offering a sincere compliment to someone. I have two expressions, ‘Lead by Example’ and ‘Live and Let Live.’ I do not engage in negativity, do not spend time watching the so-called news, do not dwell on negative Internet posts or engage with negative people. I follow my own counsel with my weight so that when I speak to others about helping them with their excess weight issues, they see that I have been there, and I practice what I preach. I work hard to never judge anyone else, to accept whatever lifestyle people choose. I must say that it is not possible for me to accept those that wish to deny freedom to others, those who are hypocrites, bigots, chauvinists, and the like. Obviously, this is an area where I still need to work on my non-judgement.” I felt this person’s pain, realizing that she still had to work on “judgement” issues because I too tend to judge judgmental people, and recognize that I am as guilty as they are.

Another respondent said, “Living out Francis' spirituality in my daily life is a continuous journey of reflection, intentionality, and action. While I may not always embody these ideals perfectly, I strive to integrate the core values of simplicity, compassion, and service into my daily routine. One way I seek to live out Franciscan spirituality is by embracing simplicity and practicing mindfulness in all aspects of my life. I endeavor to simplify my material possessions and consumption habits, prioritizing meaningful experiences over material wealth. By adopting a minimalist mindset, I aim to cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude for the blessings in my life and reduce my impact on the environment.

Additionally, I strive to embody Francis' compassion and love for all of creation by cultivating a spirit of kindness and empathy toward others. This involves actively seeking opportunities to help those in need, whether through acts of service, listening with empathy, or offering words of encouragement and support. By recognizing every individual's inherent dignity and worth, I endeavor to foster a culture of inclusivity, acceptance, and understanding in my interactions with others. 

Furthermore, I endeavor to live out Franciscan spirituality by prioritizing service and solidarity with the marginalized and vulnerable members of society. Whether volunteering at a local shelter, advocating for social justice causes, or simply lending a compassionate ear to those in need, I seek to follow Francis' example of selfless love and service to others. By embracing a spirit of humility and solidarity, I hope to contribute to building a more just and compassionate world, one small act of kindness at a time.

Living out Franciscan spirituality in my daily life involves embodying the values of simplicity, compassion, and service in my thoughts, words, and actions. While I may fall short at times, I remain committed to following in St. Francis's footsteps and striving to make a positive difference in the world through my daily choices and interactions.

Francis' commitment to humility and service to others serves as a powerful example of living out Christ's teachings in a practical and tangible way. His selfless devotion to serving the marginalized and embracing humility challenged me to embody these virtues in my own life, seeking to emulate his compassion and generosity toward others.

In summary, the aspects of Franciscan spirituality that resonate with me include simplicity and poverty, love and compassion for all of creation, and humility and service to others. These teachings continue to inspire and guide me, deepening my understanding of the profound wisdom and enduring relevance of St. Francis' legacy.”

Another person said, “Though I am not religious, I use prayer and meditation to focus my mind. The St. Francis prayer that starts, ‘Lord, make me an instrument of your peace…’ helps me remember what is really important. I believe I serve a purpose on this earth and my life’s work of strengthening nonprofits and building community coalitions for change is my contribution to making the world a better place. Though I am retired now, I try to find little ways to improve systems so people can have better more fulfilling lives. I appreciate learning more about St. Francis with your study. It helps refresh my own efforts to emulate him.

Another respondent said, “The part of your paper that said, ‘we are called to not worship the things our wealth can buy us, and to give to others in our own way...it is not just giving material things to the poor and needy but sometimes it is or love and support they need. I think of myself as a relatively non-materialistic and compassionate person in this way, although I feel that my actions may not always reflect that. I am human, after all. Of course, the fact that I am a child of depression-era parents may also influence my not wanting to buy something if I already have something that works perfectly well. I tend to be driven less by material things and more by people’s actions.”

Is Spirituality More Important Than Religion and Why? 

One response to this question was, “To me, it is but, again, to each his or her own. I understand the role that religion plays in people's lives and for many the structure of religion is part of their spirituality. I believe that organized religion has been the cause of most of the suffering in the world. It becomes a power struggle of who is right. I believe all religions at their most basic tenets are the same—love, peace, charity, compassion, kindness. I do believe that the soul is eternal, that we have been here before and will be somewhere after. I have always believed we are not alone and that the human race will know that for sure very soon. God, All That Is, the Universe, Allah, Mohammed, Krishna, etc. We are all using different names. I choose All That Is, the Universe, or occasionally God. I believe Jesus was an enlightened soul, a prophet like the others who had a message. For me, Nature has always been the magical expression of God. Every tree, every flower, the majestic mountains covered in snow...She is what awes me.”

Another respondent said, “Thank you for your thought-provoking question about the importance of spirituality compared to religion. In my view, I do not speak of one being more important than the other. I prefer to allow each person to find their own path. Spirituality, to me, encompasses a deeply personal and introspective journey of seeking meaning, purpose, and connection to something greater than oneself. It involves exploring questions of identity and morality and finding inner peace and fulfillment through practices such as meditation, prayer, reflection, and self-discovery. Unlike religion, which often entails adherence to specific doctrines, rituals, and institutional structures, spirituality transcends boundaries and embraces diverse paths and perspectives.

Religions appear to thrive on defining outsiders, those who do not belong. I prefer to believe we all belong. While religion does frame spiritual exploration and community support, it can also be limiting and divisive, leading to dogmatism, exclusivity, and conflicts over beliefs and practices. Spirituality, on the other hand, offers a more inclusive and holistic approach to understanding and experiencing the sacred, encouraging individuals to cultivate their unique relationship with the divine or the transcendent. (While I do not agree with this impression of formal religion, I understand how it can happen in some churches, where certain people are excluded. Francis excluded no one. His trip to meet Sultan Malik al-Kamir certainly showed his openness to all, along with his experiences with the lepers, and his very life spoke openness.)

Furthermore, spirituality emphasizes the universal values of love, compassion, empathy, and interconnectedness, fostering a sense of unity and shared humanity across cultural, religious, and ideological differences. It encourages individuals to recognize the sacredness of all life and to act with kindness, integrity, and reverence towards oneself, others, and the natural world. (I believe that these who study the life of Francis and strive to live as a follower of him must be both religious and spiritual.)

In essence, spirituality transcends religious boundaries and offers a deeper, more intimate connection to the divine or the spiritual dimension of existence. It invites individuals to embark on a personal journey of self-discovery, growth, and transformation, leading to greater inner peace, fulfillment, and harmony with oneself and the world. While organized religion certainly has its merits and can provide valuable guidance and support for many people, spirituality offers a broader and more inclusive framework for exploring the deeper questions of life and finding meaning and purpose in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.”

Another person said, “I think so. I’m struggling right now with how to address my son and his immersion into a very strict, fundamentalist church group. His recent posts on Facebook alarmed me. He supported the rejection of other religious such as Islam and Buddhism, likening them to what he describes as heretical and sinful pursuits such as witchcraft. Though I know his church supports him and his family and my son need the structure it provides, I believe this thought process leads to the assumption that no one is “saved” except for those who adhere to his religion. Having been raised strict Catholic, I grew up with being told Catholicism is the one true religion and those who are not baptized were condemned to hell. Catholics may not subscribe to that notion anymore, but I believe that kind of thinking promotes treating our fellow man as if they are “others” who are unworthy of our love and compassion. I am drawn to the belief that all are children of God, and we should respect the different ways they may find their highest purpose. 

As an atheist, I agree with the general spiritual concept of loving thy neighbor. 

Our neighbors are not just the people we live with or live nearby. Our neighbor is all of humanity. As reminded by Pope Francis in his encyclical letter Fratelli Tutti, we are called to ‘acknowledge, appreciate, and love each person, regardless of physical proximity, regardless of where he or she was born or lives.’ This is a great challenge for all of us and one that the Poverello knew deeply. It is necessary to open ourselves up to others. We must be willing to enter into other people’s lives regardless of the creed that the other follows. We must be willing to foster dialogue with one another. When one member of humanity suffers, the whole of humanity suffers.” (This atheist has a good grasp on what is true compassion!)

Another person said, “To me, spirituality is more important than religion. I don’t believe in some big guy in the sky watching over us. If I were to believe in gods, I would more likely go back to my Greek roots and believe in multiple gods. I do believe that the Universe is a force bigger than myself, and my god is Mother Earth. Too many organized religions have either been created by or succumbed to greed and hatred, with the idea that their religion is the only valid one and everyone else is damned, unclean, unworthy, or to be feared and hated. I think there are some good motivations behind organized religion but also too many negative ones. As for religion itself, apart from organized religions, I feel that whatever helps a person have hope and do good things is positive and people are free to believe in whatever will move them along a positive path. I feel that really is spirituality, however, and religion is just one way of being spiritual. There are many other ways that are equally valid.”

3. Is spirituality more important than religion and why?

I don't separate the two, but I'm not strict in my observance of religious dogma. I wouldn't be where I am now spiritually without my mother's insistence that we kids go to Catholic elementary school and I was fortunate my school was run by Adrian Dominicans. On the other hand, religion these days seems to be a concept that constrains instead of welcomes. So in that respect, I'm comfortable dialoguing with my fellow Christians from other denominations, the Universalist Unitarians, with my Jewish and Muslim friends, and seeking God in all things, as the Jesuits teach. That probably puts me in the spirituality is more important camp, but as I say, I wouldn't be who I am today without grounding in the Catholic religious.

My conclusion after interviewing these self-identified non-religious people is that when people and churches really understand Franciscan spirituality, it reaches far beyond Christianity into the world of the Cosmic Christ. I believe that Francis must have experienced poverty compassion, peace, and love of Christ and Creation during his lifetime, especially when he received the stigmata, and that those who follow his example, will feel the pain and suffering of this world, not through bodily wounds, but in their hearts of flesh, regardless of their religious beliefs. 

1 McLaughlin, Rebecca, Confronting Christianity. Wheaton, Il: Crossway, 2019