O Divine Master, grant that I not so much seek...to be
understood as to UNDERSTAND.
Most of us have prayed what
is known as St. Francis' Prayer for Peace. While the Seraphic
Patriarch did not compose the text, the thoughts it expresses are
perfectly consonant with his life and spirituality.
Most people readily agree
that UNDERSTANDING is a good virtue to cultivate, if for no
other reason than that most of us have experienced misunderstanding
at one time or another. We are not alone! The Gospels offer ample
proof that our Lord often experienced misunderstanding, not only
from the religious authorities, but also from His townsmen and
relatives, and on occasion, even from His disciples. One can almost
hear the weariness in Jesus' query to His dull-hearted own:
Do you not yet understand?
Like his Divine Master, St.
Francis experienced misunderstanding from many quarters — popes and
bishops, parents and friends, even his own friars. But the Little
Poor Man did not sit down in a puddle of self-pity and whine,
"Nobody understands me!" Instead, he set out on the road of
UNDERSTANDING, seeking to look deeper into people and
situations, words and events. Francis soon discovered (as we all
must) that UNDERSTANDING is so important on the spiritual
quest that it is not only a human virtue, but also a gift of the
Holy Spirit.
I prayed, and UNDERSTANDING was given me, the young Solomon declared.
Wis. 7:7 No doubt the young Francis prayed in the same way — and history attests that UNDERSTANDING was given to him! And what did the Spirit teach Francis about UNDERSTANDING? First, he realized that on earth, no one is ever perfectly understood — except by God. This simple fact freed him from much needless fretting and fuming. The Spirit's second lesson is that on earth no one is able to perfectly understand another person (or, even oneself, for that matter!). But it is precisely humble acknowledgment and acceptance of these facts which open our hearts to receive the Spirit's gift of UNDERSTANDING. And when we do, wonderful things begin to happen.
When the Holy Spirit grants us
UNDERSTANDING,
we begin to look at life from God's perspective, which is decidedly
wider and deeper than our own. We start to "stand under" people and
situations and see that often there is "more than meets the eye,"
UNDERSTANDING leads us to prayer (especially regarding things we
do NOT understand). It is also a gateway to humility, to admitting
our limitations, our weakness, and our spiritual blindness.
UNDERSTANDING helps us to make room both for the mystery of God
and the mystery of others. It helps us to be sensitive, forbearing
and self-forgetful, and nothing is more helpful to spiritual growth
than these!
UNDERSTANDING is also the Spirit's
"umbrella" over our interior life. It protects us from the pelting
rain of criticism. It shields us from the withering rays of
resentment and rash judgment. UNDERSTANDING helps us to grow
in faith and patience and compassion. We begin to
UNDERSTAND
what our Lord meant when He told the disciples:
What I am doing now
you do not know. But later you will understand.
John 13:7
Even if that "later"
does not come until we cross the threshold of eternal life, we are
content — because we know HE understands all things and is working
everything out for the best.
Give me an UNDERSTANDING heart,
Solomon pleaded.
cf. 1 King 3:9 It is never
too late to join in his request!