1 Many contemporary voices are attempting to understand and analyze the pervasive character of this violence. We can mention noted scholars such as, Rend Girard, Gil Bailie, John Dear, etc. Aware of the pervasive character of this violence, we realize that peacemaking will necessarily involve getting at the root causes of this violence. Our personal and social woundedness lies at the roots of violence in ourselves, in others, and in our culture. Francis of Assisi realized this fact very well.
Violence is of the human heart.
It is in everyone, and the way to peace is the way to peace of soul. It means first of all acknowledging one's own potential for evil and that of others, then embracing it and allowing the grace of God to redeem it. Yet one's potential for sin and violence can never be totally erased, for one is always free to reject the grace of God. Yet, Francis did not content himself with only confronting the violence within himself without manifesting that in some concrete way in his relationships with those around him in society. Rather, having encountered, embraced and reached reconciliation with the violence within, the logical consequence was for him to seek to instill peace in the personal and social relationships in society.