A Man Wounded By Love

Years ago, a picture of a dress went viral on social media because it appeared blue and black to some and white and gold to others. This phenomenon shows how two people can see the same object and come to completely different conclusions.

I think about this when it comes to devotion to St. Francis of Assisi. Some people read his writings and see him as a peace-loving hippie, while other see a man devoted to the Church and orthodoxy.

While I’m no expert on St. Francis, I do have a deep devotion to him. Through knowing him, I’ve learned a lot about love and suffering. St. Francis was a lover, allowing his heart to be so pierced by the Beloved that it yielded physical marks.

As we celebrate his feast day, we also must be aware of another celebration we get to observe this year. This year marks the 800th anniversary of St. Francis receiving the stigmata. Rather than drawing attention to himself, the stigmata is an invitation for us to experience true and noble love. As St. Teresa of Calcutta once said, “Real love must hurt.”

Real love requires sacrifice and commitment. It doesn’t put limits or conditions, doesn’t grow weary of giving, and delights in being poured out.

Remembering the stigmata of St. Francis challenges us to not just be bystanders of faith but to go all in. His life is an invitation to a mysterious love that goes beyond circumstances and appearances— a love that strikes down so deep into the heart we find ourselves pierced alongside Christ.