Mischievous Mysticism
One of the most endearing parts of my recent faith journey has been the walk alongside such wonderful spiritual guides and mentors who lead me with their thoughtful, challenging, and personal encounters with Jesus. These writers can come from our own time, and many, including people like Chris Heuertz and James Martin, are still alive to offer us their wisdom and experience as modern day "elders" in the Church. Yet deeper still are those saints whose lives have left a path paved with the beauty of their personal witness. None of these has been more influential for me over the past year than Saint Francis. Yes, Francis conjures up many images. He is perhaps known today amidst the resurgence in his devotion following our new Pope's public patronage of his name and spirit. He is perhaps most familiar as the stone statue placed in many gardens to be kept company by birds and flowers. He is, after all, the patron of the environment, that flower-smelling hippy at home in a Z