Authority: St. Francis and the Wolf
of Gubbio
The town of Gubbio was being afflicted by a ravenous wolf
that tore apart both beasts and men and which nobody could withstand; so that
the people of the city either went about heavily armed or stayed inside the
gate. As the wolf ate even those who were heavily armed, eventually they all
stayed inside the city gate. St Francis of Assisi was in their midst at the
time and decided to deliver them from the wolf. He went outside the gate
and, when the wolf charged he withstood in the name and authority of Jesus
Christ and commanded it to be meek by making the sign of the cross. To the
astonishment of all but St. Francis, the wolf stopped its charge, closed its
mouth, bowed low and obeyed St. Francis. The saint then informed the wolf that
in the normal course of justice it should be horribly hacked to pieces but that
if it was prepared to attack neither man nor beast and be fed by the people of
the city that he would spare it. The wolf indicated his agreement by appropriate
and humble movements. That day St. Francis preached and a covenant of peace was
drawn up between the wolf and the people of the city, the wolf pledging his
agreement by raising his right paw at the appropriate moment. The city
raised a tremendous cheer and thanked both God and St. Francis for their
deliverance from the ravenous wolf. As for the wolf, it kept its part of the
bargain and begged its food from house to house, becoming a part of the city
and a constant reminder of the mercy of God and the blessedness of St. Francis.
This went on as related for around two years until old age claimed the wolf and
it died. [Summarized
from “The Little Flowers of St. Francis”, trans. E.M. Blaiklock and A.C.Keys]
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The SFO Rule
#6 They (Secular Franciscans) have been made living members
of the Church by being buried and raised with Christ in baptism; they have been
united more intimately with the Church by profession. Therefore, they should go
forth as witnesses and instruments of her mission among all people, proclaiming
Christ by their life and words.
Called like Saint Francis to rebuild the Church and inspired by his example,
let them devote themselves energetically to living in full communion with the
pope, bishops, and priests, fostering an open and 7.trusting dialog of
apostolic effectiveness and creativity.
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Both Francis and the wolf teach us about the proper use of
and response to authority.
Francis shows us that we must have courage if we are to influence others for
good.
Francis’s courage in the face of danger came from his total
reliance on God.
Francis’s humility allowed him to influence others through
service to the community because he did not seek power.
Reliance on God draws people to the message we seek to
impart because they sense that we do not seek power for our own sake.
Francis knew how to use authority for a good cause because
he was humble enough to be submissive to the authority of God and the church.
The wolf teaches us to recognize and respond to authority.
He submits to the true authority of Francis because Francis’s authority is born of humility and reliance on God.
The powerful wolf humbles himself. No matter how “important”
we are, we must always be willing to submit to just authority and especially to
the authority of God.
So then, our Rule calls us to influence others and
proclaim Christ to the world. Our Rule calls us to rebuild the Church.
Therefore, our Rule calls us to use our authority in a just way. At the same
time, our Rule calls us to humility in submitting to the authority of the
Church and thereby submitting to the authority of Christ.
If we follow Francis’s example, we will truly be able to
change others because we do not work for ourselves, but for the honor and glory
of God.