John Kerr, TOR has been a friar for 18 years. He generously responded to a request for assistance with formation in the newly-formed Delegation in Bangladesh. This article helps us to see that Franciscans, even today, continue to extend a welcoming hand like Francis did to our Muslim brothers and sisters.

Christians often warned me about Muslims. Some had bad experiences in Bangladesh, where Muslims had stolen Christians' land and unjustly treated them. For this reason I always cautiously approached a village, where one still meets the majority of the country's 100 million followers of Islam.

At one village I would pass on the way to the post office, a crowd of kids would quickly gather if they saw me coming. As the only white person in the area and the tallest person in the country, I was a sight of curiosity and fear to many. These kids would yell words I didn't understand, giggle and, if I started to walk toward them, run screaming back into the maze of mud huts.

After many times like this, one day a couple of children tentatively stood their ground. I bent down, extended my hand, and shook theirs and kept shaking until they started to laugh. Then many of those who had run returned and wanted the same attention. Some still ran back screaming when my hand moved their way.

That day was the icebreaker. The next time I was passing by very few ran away. One little guy even stopped me from going to the post office. He held my hand and guided me from the roadside into the formerly hidden land among the huts. An older child brought out a wooden chair from one hut and I was politely motioned to the honored seat. The kids crowded around me, and their parents shyly appeared from different directions. When 100 brown eyes locked on mine the questions began about my family, my country, my work and everything these curious people could think to ask.

The children insisted on a song. I stood up and told them I would sing an English song, but they had to sing with me. Their shyness returned. I pointed to my head, said and then sang, "Head, shoulders, knees and toes... and eyes and ears and mouth and nose..." all the while pointing to the different body parts. After a few rounds, they were slapping themselves all over and falling on the ground. The parents watched with some stupefaction while the kids requested another song. I told them next time; now I had to go. With many invitations to return and an entourage of children, I continued to the post office.

In the thirteenth year of his conversion, Francis journeyed to the regions of Syria, constantly exposing himself to many dangers in order to reach the presence of the Sultan of Babylon. Taking a companion with him, a brother named Illuminato, he came upon two lambs. Overjoyed to see them, he said, "Trust in the Lord, brother, for the Gospel is being fulfilled in us: Behold, I am sending your forth like sheep in the midst of wolves."

When they proceeded farther, the Saracen sentries fell upon them like wolves swiftly overtaking sheep. By divine providence they were led to the Sultan, just as Francis had wished. When the Sultan inquired by whom, why and how they had been sent, Francis replied with an intrepid heart that the Most High God had sent him to point out to the Sultan and his people the way of salvation and to announce the Gospel of truth.

Inspired from heaven, Francis continued: "If you wish to be converted to Christ along with your people, I will most gladly stay with you for love of him. But if you hesitate. . .then command that an enormous fire be lit and I will walk into the fire along with your priests so that you will recognize which faith deserves to be held as holier and more certain."

The Sultan replied that he did not dare accept this choice because he feared a revolt among his people. Nevertheless, he offered Francis many gifts, which the man of God spurned as if they were dirt. Seeing that Francis so completely despised worldly possessions, the Sultan was overflowing with admiration and developed an even greater respect for him. Thus it came about that the divine fire burned still more perfectly in Francis' heart, so that later it would be clearly seen in his flesh.

Selections from Saint Bonaventure, The Major Legend of Saint Francis, Chapter 9.

Action Steps:

Read Kevin Regan, "Catholics and Muslims: Two Faiths, One God", Catholic Youth Update (Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2002.)

Pray for the Spirit's gift of understanding and a deeper sense of openness to differences.

Act! Ask your parish youth leader or your religious education teacher to organize a trip to a local mosque. Talk with Muslims to better understand their faith and pray with them.

Each day of our lives we are faced with so many decisions. Besides all the little decisions we have to make, there are some really big ones, too: Where should I go to college? What career is right for me? and many others. Sometimes we're not even sure where to begin. The story of Francis and the Sultan gives us some ideas of how Francis figured out what to do with his life.

First, Francis always prayed to God for guidance. Francis had a very close relationship with God, even closer than best friends. He knew he could give his entire heart and mind to God because God loved him and would help him to make the best decision.

Second, Francis listened to his own heart. He knew himself better than he knew anyone else. He relied on God and his friends to help him understand the desires of his heart and how he should fulfill them.

Third, once Francis knew what God wanted for him, he went after it with all his energy. Francis never did anything half-way! His heart was so full of the joy of knowing Christ that he wanted to share it with everyone, even in far-away countries where his life might be threatened.

Finally, Francis made every decision for the glory of God. He could have yelled and screamed at the Muslim Sultan to try and persuade him but the love of Christ compelled him to treat the Sultan with dignity and respect. The Sultan treated Francis with the same dignity and respect and thus Francis saw Christ in him.

Francis shows us that no matter what the division is, we can rely on God and our own hearts to lead us on the right path that will make us happy and fulfilled.

Bro. David Kaczmarek, TOR