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Loving the Refugee: Lesson from St. Francis of Assisi

Topic: Refugees

A stone statue of Saint Francis adorns my garden, purchased years ago by my late wife at an auction in Columbia, South Carolina. He stands 25 inches tall, dressed in the simple garb of a mendicant, with a beggar’s bowl in hand. A sheep is there, too, looking intently up into his face. This treasured figure reminds me of Francis’s enduring influence, dating back almost a thousand years. No, not everything we hear in the 21st century about Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, known as Francis of Assisi (1181/2– 1226), is accurate. For instance, he never said, “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words when necessary.” Truth be told, he consistently verbalized the good news and sought to help the poor in practical ways.

My favorite story is about what everyone in his day deemed a foolhardy mission: to convert Malek al-Kamil, the Sultan of Egypt, the most powerful Muslim in the world. The Sultan was known for his hatred of Christians—after all, this was the era of Christian-Muslim warfare—and a crusading spirit cast a shadow over much of Europe. As the supreme Islamic leader, Malek al-Kamil was considered “treacherous, brainless and false hearted.” But this did not deter Francis, who marched straight onto the battlefield with a trusted friend. They were caught, beaten, and brought to the Sultan, who assumed they wanted to become Muslims. “On the contrary,” said Francis. “We have a message that you should surrender your soul to God.”

With this introduction, he proclaimed the triune God and Jesus Christ, Savior of all. When the Sultan was advised to behead them, he said no and invited them to stay on as guests. Francis said, “If you are willing to become converts of Christ, you and your people, I shall be only too glad to stay with you.” Such a pert response to Arab hospitality was unheard of. Francis then offered to walk through fire if it would help convince the Muslim leader. The Sultan demurred but was impressed. He offered presents, which Francis declined to accept. The Islamic leader became even more amazed and permitted him to preach the Gospel in his house and compound. Upon Francis’s departure, the Sultan asked the friar to pray that God would guide him. Evidently, the Sultan never converted, for he retook Jerusalem. But Francis’s evangelistic mission was far from a failure. Stephen Neill says it was the manifestation of a new era: Now, conversion was to take place by love and deeds, not by force of arms. Soon after, several Franciscans were sent to Morocco, where five were martyred for Christ.

In an attempt to discover how Francis lived day to day, I am reading a new biography, Francis of Assisi: The Life of a Restless Saint, by Volker Leppin. The author is quick to point out that there is no end to the legends concerning Francis’s alleged miracles, his talking to birds and preaching to animals. We may never know all he did, but one thing is certain: His family of wealth and influence violently opposed him when he discarded his fancy clothes and set out to help the poor. His father, a businessman, persecuted him and brutally beat him, intending to bring him back to reality. But the son stood firm. Ultimately, family ties were cut. There is no question, Leppin says, that Francis was a “radical misfit,” but he didn’t spend his life on a pole, or even in a monastery (although I have nothing against monasteries). He was out with the people and even kissed lepers. His rule was simple: Cheerfully give away all he owned and live a holy life. The nickname given to him was poverello (poor man), and he launched what has become the largest order among Catholics.

As Russell Moore, editor in chief for Christianity Today, points out, we can disagree on immigration policy, but we should not be confused as to our response to those already here. CT has also reminded us that Jesus was a refugee, as were his parents, Rahab, Naomi, Ruth, David, and the nation of Israel. Without making our modern hot-button distinctions (legal/illegal, refugee/economic immigrant), the Bible is clear on how we should treat immigrants—we should love them. For example, “The stranger living among you shall be as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Lev. 19:34, NKJV). Hebrews strongly enjoins hospitality to strangers (13:2), and Jesus said: “I was a stranger, and you took me in; I was naked, and you clothed me” (Mt. 25:35). His parable about the Good Samaritan must have stung, because those who proudly professed their piety cared little for a wounded and bleeding man in the ditch.

Good works and demonstrations of love make a huge difference in Christian witness. They always have. I have also been reading Dominion, by Tom Holland, which discusses Christianity’s “enduring influence” for the last 2,000 years. Holland gives two main reasons the faith spread like wildfire in the first three centuries: a willingness to suffer anything for Christ, and to care for the poor. Some sold their all to do so. Other religions despised the poor, including those of the Romans, but Christians were different. They still are. A large percentage of refugee settlement programs in the U.S. (now in disarray due to changes in immigration policy) were faith-based.

My involvement with refugees is limited, but I hang out with some on most Fridays, at a Christian distribution center, House of Hope, in Vancouver. Some struggle with English, and we laugh a lot, but a few Afghans speak Urdu, which I learned in Pakistan. The center hands out tons of food every year, donated by local businesses and supported by churches across North America (including my church). Most of the 50 to 60 visitors on distribution day are Muslims from Iran and Afghanistan. Staff are raising funds to provide safe, transitional housing for refugees, especially women and children, who often struggle to find secure housing upon arrival in Canada. It is a privilege to pray with those who want it, and I never cease to marvel when most Muslims appreciate prayer in Jesus’ name. Refugees often feel vulnerable in North America, and some have experienced prejudice or even racism.

Needs for jobs, secure housing, health, and children with learning disabilities are significant. Recently, I helped a middle-aged lady pull her cart of food up the sidewalk in the rain; she was wobbly on her feet. When we reached the bus stop, I asked if I could pray. She didn’t quite understand, but a woman sitting there translated. The woman I assisted exclaimed, “Yes!” so I asked God to bless, provide, and help her in every way. She couldn’t thank me enough. Later, the same woman told me her husband’s visa to join her in Canada was five years in the waiting, so I prayed again, and the following week, she assured me it was progressing. A few days ago, when I walked into the center, an Iranian convert met me with a huge smile on her face. She said, “You prayed for me a month ago that I’d find a teaching job, and God has answered!”

I assisted another lady up the hill who has MS, and though her 9-year-old daughter had never met me, she snuggled in close for prayer. On yet another day, I was asked to accompany a young, deaf, and mute lady to the SkyTrain. We communicated by hand signals, and near the end, she insisted that it was far enough. Then she hugged me, even though we were total strangers. Having lived among Muslims for years, I know this is unusual, but it shows the level of trust for those of us associated with the House of Hope. Thanks to support from family and church friends, I’ve helped an Afghan lady enroll in English/computer classes, equipped her with a computer, and provided her sparse apartment with a few second-hand items. Currently, we are helping her learn how to drive so she can find a job more easily.  I assisted an Iranian fellow in finding temporary work and am praying for permanent employment. These precious people have a place in my heart, and I thank God for every opportunity to be the feet and hands of Christ.

Canada now has 8 million immigrants, including many Muslims, who would probably never have a clear understanding of the Gospel, let alone meet a Christian in their country of origin. But God is doing a new thing among them all over the world. In the West, we have an opportunity to freely witness and demonstrate the love of Christ. We need not become wandering mendicants, but from all we know of Francis, he would want us to reach out in word and deed to refugees in our midst.

Dr Warren Larson is a Senior Research Fellow and Professor for the Zwemer Center for Muslim Studies at Columbia International University. He lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.

For practical ways to get involved, see 10 Ways to Help Afghan Refugees.

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