We generally estimate “bigness” by measuring size, area, volume, wealth, etc. How big is the church? Look at the vast span between personalities who give their lives to Her.
God’s Gift to St. Francis
St. Francis is at one extreme. He was overflowing with such a holy, loving kindness for God and His creatures that he could actually talk to animals. “Rabbit, how are you?”, he might say to one on a walk.
“I’m fine, thank you, Francis. I’ve dug a nice, cozy hole. Mrs. Rabbit and I have lined it with fur, and she’s about to have babies.”
“That’s wonderful, Rabbit! Do you have enough to eat?”
“Yes, there’s a patch of clover right over there, behind the tree. The branches are so low that the deer can’t get to it, so we’ll have all we need.”
“God loves you, Rabbit. If I see Fox, I’ll tell him how well you’re doing and ask him if he wouldn’t eat a few more apples and a few less you-know-whats.”
“Thank you, Francis! We all appreciate that!”
We can see St. Francis’s personality in this painting. Exuberant!
God’s Gift to St. Dominic
St. Dominic, the great defender of Catholic Structure, is at another end of the Saintly spectrum. He believed that The Church had to deal effectively with those who wanted to destroy it. He was inspired to uphold The Church in all Her purity. For that reason, St. Dominic laid the foundation for the Inquisition, in which apostates could be identified and given an opportunity to renounce heresy, affirm their Catholicism, obey The Church’s teaching, and be saved.
The structure he instituted ended up being used by later generations for political purposes. He, however, had the best interests of Christendom at heart, and never failed to glorify God and His Church while mortifying himself.
Embodiment of the Catholic Church
There are few bigger differences between Catholic viewpoints as some of those between St. Francis and St. Dominic. But, they’ve both been canonized by the very same organization, The Body of Christ on Earth. While they were a part of His Body on earth, they were both contemporaries and friends.
St. Francis may symbolize the extended left hand of Our Lord. St. Dominic, His extended right. Between those loving hands is enough room to hold all humanity.
