Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Reflection
Francis’ encounter with Sultan al-Malik al-Kamil seems to have been recorded by his contemporaries. Early Franciscan hagiographers had Francis preaching to, and entering into religious dialogue with, the Sulan – who had rather uncomfortable questions about why followers of the Prince of Peace were busy invading and killing Muslims and why this holy man was mixed up with warriors. It seems Francis might have expected, and maybe even desired, martyrdom.
Maybe the Sultan thought Francis was an emissary. We’re not sure how the two conversed as they would not have had a common language. Francis was returned unharmed and seems to have been impressed by the faith and piety of the Sultan and the Muslims he encountered – it is said that Francis noted they prayed rather more frequently than Christians. Francis clearly wished to fulfil the Great Commission and preach Christ; yet he seems to have been influenced himself and came away with a better understanding of Islam and Muslim faith and practice.
Inter religious dialogue is the spirit of our age – not seeking to convert people from where they feel God has placed them. To know Muslims is to know that their patterns of faith, observance, and devotion vary just as much as Christian ones do. It is also to know that they worship the same God as we do and see Jesus as a prophet of God.
Francis’ rather naïve preaching trip didn’t win him any converts, but later Franciscans ended up respected in Muslim controlled lands provided they confined themselves to positive sermons about Jesus and didn’t attack Muslim faith and practice. Maybe Francis’ rather odd preaching mission paid off in the end.
Perhaps too, our efforts to listen, observe, understand and appreciate might be the path of peace to take in an ever more divided world – and be a path of peace between religions.
Prayer
You are Good, all Good, supreme Good,
Lord God, living and true.
You are love, You are wisdom.
You are humility. You are endurance.
You are rest. You are peace
You are joy and gladness.
You are justice and moderation.
You are all our riches,
and you suffice for us.
You are beauty. You are gentleness.
You are our protector.
You are our guardian and defender.
You are courage.
You are our haven and our hope.
You are our faith.
Our great consolation.
You are our eternal life,
Great and wonderful Lord,
God almighty,
Merciful Saviour.
