Up and Down the Mountain with Francis of Assisi

Last week I was lucky to be in Assisi, a place I love. I identify with Francis of Assisi - his deep care for nature and creation, his appreciation of quiet spaces, and his love of community and life.

Because running in nature is one of the ways I connect with God and myself, I usually like to explore new places on foot.

This time, I climbed Mount Subasio, the mountain where Francis would go to pray above the city. Although I’d set off early in the morning, it was already warm, and the constant, steep uphill in covered woodland was hard going. I didn’t realise that I was feeling slightly grumpy about this until a small downhill section came along and, quite suddenly, I felt light-hearted and happy!

En route to the summit, I visited the place on the mountain where Francis and his Brothers would come to pray in caves on the mountainside.

Near to the top, the path opened out onto wide views of the surrounding countryside, and my heart lifted again. I realised that all that uphill meant there was a long stretch of downhill ahead!

As I saw the path unfolding in front of me, I felt joy bubbling up within me, and found myself running freely, fast, light, and almost effortlessly, for several kilometres as the trail led gently back down towards the city.

I normally run on more gently undulating terrain so I don’t always notice quite so clearly how much my mindset shifts between the ups and downs. This felt like a simple picture of struggle and joy, and how both of these are part of everyday life - sometimes in different seasons, and sometimes within a few moments. By paying attention to my thoughts and what I was feeling in my body, I became aware of how quickly I can move between frustration and delight, and yet, I was grateful for the whole experience.

The Simple and Honest Life of Francis of Assisi

It reminded me of Francis himself. He seems to have been someone who lived very honestly, not pretending to be anything other than he was, and keeping things simple. He delighted in life, people, and in creation. At the same time, he regularly withdrew to places like this, to the mountains and caves, to wrestle in prayer and to be alone with God.

He saw himself as part of the natural world, talking about ‘Brother Sun and Sister Moon’ and encountering God not only in stillness, but in wind, earth, light, and living creatures.

How is life for you at the moment? Do you feel like you’re on an endless uphill climb? Can you notice any beauty around you even here, or become more aware of what you might be wrestling with?

Or perhaps you find yourself in a more open, spacious, ‘downhill’ season. Can you pause to notice that, and to dwell there for a moment, rather than rushing on?

Are there places in nature that help you to pause and notice?

It can be helpful too to have someone to process these kinds of experiences with, and to help you discern the seasons. Spiritual direction offers a space to do exactly that. If you’d like to explore this further, you can find out more here.