Umbria: Food and Francis
Sunday, June 24, 2018
I had a great time sampling some of the foods of the Umbrian region. Naturally, I liked some better than others.
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Assisi was the hometown of very favorite Italian in history: Francis of Assisi! Francis was born into a rich family in the late 1100's. He gave up his riches, became poor, and spent his life working for peace. It was Francis who wanted to be "an instrument of peace." He traveled to Egypt in his life, which was no easy thing in those days. By visiting Egypt, Francis hoped to put an end to the wars being fought between Christians and Muslims in his day. Francis was a Christian, but we was welcomed by the Egyptian Muslims and their leader, the Sultan. This would have been a surprise to most people living at that time. Maybe if there had been more Francises in history, our world would have fought fewer wars and been a more peaceful place. A few years ago, leaders of the major world religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism) met in Assisi to discuss ways to work together and create peace in the world.
All of us can learn from Francis of Assisi today. We can be people of peace in our families, our neighborhoods, and our school. We can try to be friends with people who are different from ourselves, the way Francis tried to befriend the Sultan in Egypt. This can be hard for us sometimes, but it is also very possible. Francis said that he wanted to "understand more than to be understood." Imagine if we all walked through life trying to understand other people instead of trying to force everyone to understand us!
Francis is also known for loving animals and the environment. Francis spent a lot of time in the mountains close to Assisi.
It is a very special feeling to walk in the same footsteps as this incredible man who walked there 800 years ago!
All of us can learn from Francis of Assisi today. We can be people of peace in our families, our neighborhoods, and our school. We can try to be friends with people who are different from ourselves, the way Francis tried to befriend the Sultan in Egypt. This can be hard for us sometimes, but it is also very possible. Francis said that he wanted to "understand more than to be understood." Imagine if we all walked through life trying to understand other people instead of trying to force everyone to understand us!
Francis is also known for loving animals and the environment. Francis spent a lot of time in the mountains close to Assisi.
It is a very special feeling to walk in the same footsteps as this incredible man who walked there 800 years ago!
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