Light in the Dark Ages: The Friendship of Francis and Clare of Assisi

by JonSweeney (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  2007

  $6.29

  The Middle Ages were not so very dark. Rather, we live in 'dark ages' whenever we become preoccupied with power. In this intriguing portrait of the first Franciscans, Jon Sweeney reveals the timeless temptations that come with being human - greed, competition, ego, and selfishness - as well as the many ways that Francis and Clare inspired change and brought light into darkness.We discover how Francis was first found by God and then joined by Clare despite the violent objections of her family, and explore a variety of the issues that they faced, including the treatment of lepers in medieval society, corruption in the Church, and attitudes toward the created world. We also learn how Clare's spirituality influenced that of other prominent women, how Francis lost control of his own movement, and why his body was secretly buried when he died.The examples of Francis and Clare challenge any of us who would follow Christ today. How would we view a young perosn today who rejected family for spiritual reasons? Is it possible for men and women to have deep friendship and remain true to a call to chastity? Is intentional poverty of any value? Have we sentimentalised family to the point of ignoring what Jesus taught his disciples on the subject?