Surrounded by Love

Seven Teachings of St. Francis

By: Murray Bodo O.F.M.

Narrated by: Murray Bodo O.F.M.

Length: 5 hrs

Publisher's summary

In his newest book, Fr. Murray Bodo, OFM, brings to life seven teachings from the life and writings of St. Francis of Assisi in the prayerful, lyrical style his fans will recognize. These seven teachings are both a way and a destination, the way being transformation and the destination being the love of God. St Francis invites us to go on a journey from love through love into love.

The seven teachings outlined here - plus an eighth teaching on love, the teaching behind all teachings - define a spirituality for our own time that anyone can learn to practice in his or her own life, anyone who has an attitude of reverence for others and for the earth and all of nature, and who acknowledges the existence of a higher power that is beyond what one can perceive with the senses.

St. Francis was not a medieval theologian but a teacher of wisdom who used sayings, stories, and rituals to show us how we can allow God to transform our lives. In this, as in everything else, he was following in the footsteps of Jesus, who is the mystery of the fullness of God among us. You, too, can follow in Jesus’ footsteps with these teachings:

• The First Teaching: The Wonder of the Incarnation
• The Second Teaching: The Paradox of Evangelical Poverty
• The Third Teaching: Live the Gospel
• The Fourth Teaching: Go and Repair God’s House
• The Fifth Teaching: Making Peace
• The Sixth Teaching: All Creatures Are Our Brothers and Sisters
• The Seventh Teaching: The Joy of Humble Praise and Service of God
• The Teaching of Teachings: Love

This simple map for living is why St. Francis is still admired today in our fractious and divided world. What he teaches, if lived, brings joy, which is the result of union with God, who lives with us and within all of creation.

Meditating on these teachings from St. Francis will give you hope; for hope is the grace to imagine a future more positive, more loving, and more joyful than the world we now find ourselves in. As St. Francis used to say to his brothers, “Let us begin to do good, for up to now we have done nothing.”

©2018 Murray Bodo (P)2018 Franciscan Media

Critic reviews

"A beautiful meditation on the spiritual wisdom of the Poverello and its practical value for today. In this elegantly written book, Murray Bodo brings Francis of Assisi’s life experiences and teachings into dialogue with our contemporary world, showing our need for the breathtaking beauty of the Franciscan spiritual and theological visions." (Mary Beth Ingham, CSJ, Franciscan School of Theology)

"Fr. Murray Bodo illuminates the grace of the Franciscan tradition and its ongoing relevance, importance, and timeliness with each of his brilliant and poetic books. Surrounded by Love is both an introduction to and a meditation on the wisdom of St. Francis of Assisi that the world so desperately needs today. This is a must-read book!" (Daniel P. Horan, OFM, author, God Is Not Fair and Other Reasons for Gratitude and Dating God: Live and Love in the Way of St. Francis)

"Whether you are new to the Franciscan tradition or deeply rooted in its spirituality, Surrounded by Love is a wonderfully inspiring read. While the stories of St. Francis may be familiar to many, Murray Bodo’s storytelling ability and poetic insights give them a renewed character, allowing the reader to enter into the mind and heart of the great saint in a profound way." (Casey Cole, OFM, founder of Breaking in the Habit Media and author of Called: What Happens After Saying Yes to God)

So inspirational and humbling to hear

This was very moving. Easy to listen to, and motivates you to want to be just like him.

Refreshing and Inspirational

I was drawn to this book to learn more about the life and teachings of St. Francis of Assisi. It’s a great introduction and overview for those that are new to St. Francis inspiring story and legacy. The author share the information in a very practical and simplified manner. I loved it 🙏🏻

To the author and publisher:
Thank you for creating this lovely book!

Redundancies and gaps

This is not put together as an effective single book. Rather it is a compilation, with some information which would help make an earlier section not coming until much later, and some not at all.