One of our current Ph.D. students, Louis Morgan, is working on an elective course with me on the leadership principles in the medieval document of the "Admonitions of Francis of Assisi." Here is a link to Louis' blog: http://morganonmission.blogspot.com/ Louis is not only a deep thinker but someone who deeply desires to emulate Christ in his own leadership.The following is a small excerpt from Francis' admonitions on the importance of walking in the Spirit, resisting the sin of envy and call to love:
Chapter VII. That good work should follow knowledge
The Apostle says: "The letter kills, the spirit, however, vivifies" (2 Cor 3:6). · Those have died by the letter who desire to know only the words, 17 so as to be held as wiser among others and be able to acquire great riches to be given to relatives and friends. · And those religious have died by the letter, who do not want to follow the spirit of the Divine Letter, 18 but rather desire only to know words and to explain them to others. · And those have been vivified by the Divine Letter, who do not attribute every letter, which they know and desire to know, to the body, 19 but in word and example render them to the Most High Lord God, of whom is every good.
The Apostle says: "The letter kills, the spirit, however, vivifies" (2 Cor 3:6). · Those have died by the letter who desire to know only the words, 17 so as to be held as wiser among others and be able to acquire great riches to be given to relatives and friends. · And those religious have died by the letter, who do not want to follow the spirit of the Divine Letter, 18 but rather desire only to know words and to explain them to others. · And those have been vivified by the Divine Letter, who do not attribute every letter, which they know and desire to know, to the body, 19 but in word and example render them to the Most High Lord God, of whom is every good.
Chapter VIII. On avoiding the sin of envy
The Apostle said: "No one can say, 'Lord Jesus,' except in the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor 12:3); · and "There is no one who does good, not even one" (Rm 3:12). · Whoever therefore envies his own brother because of the good, which the Lord says and works in him, 20 tends towards the sin of blasphemy, because he envies the Most High Himself (cf. Mt 20:15), who says and works every good.
The Apostle said: "No one can say, 'Lord Jesus,' except in the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor 12:3); · and "There is no one who does good, not even one" (Rm 3:12). · Whoever therefore envies his own brother because of the good, which the Lord says and works in him, 20 tends towards the sin of blasphemy, because he envies the Most High Himself (cf. Mt 20:15), who says and works every good.
Chapter IX. On love
The Lord says: "Love your enemies; [do good to those who hate you, and pray on behalf of those who are persecuting and calumniating you]" (Mt 5:44). · For he truly loves his enemy, who does not grieve because of the injury, which he did to him, · but, concerning the sin against his own soul, burns for the sake of the love (amor) of God. 21 · And he shows love (dilectio) for him from (his) works.
The Lord says: "Love your enemies; [do good to those who hate you, and pray on behalf of those who are persecuting and calumniating you]" (Mt 5:44). · For he truly loves his enemy, who does not grieve because of the injury, which he did to him, · but, concerning the sin against his own soul, burns for the sake of the love (amor) of God. 21 · And he shows love (dilectio) for him from (his) works.
