The excerpt, Chronicle of the Crusade of St. Louis, was written by John De Joinville, a noble of King Louis 9th. The excerpt gives the reader a glimpse into how someone who is not a monk or nun, lives their lives with the influence of the monastic ideal. He was viewed as the "model of a Christian King" and was made a saint soon after he died. In regard to the question for Christians after the year 313 " Being a Christian can't be THAT easy, can it?", Louis the 9th was definitely not an example of for and "easy" Christian. He devoted much of his day to worship and did many things that Christian in lower or even average economic status wouldn't do, putting other's before himself and advocating the washing the feet of the poor, and he was a king!
I didn't find a lot along the lines of his acts of justice, but the example that I did find was when he was able to make peace between Comte de Chalon and his son. He spent his personal financial resources and time to re-establish justice in the realms of the two warring princes. He also made efforts to administer justice in his own land, knowing that if it failed, the kingdom would fall. Much more prevalent, however, were his acts of mercy. He had mercy on the poor, not being cruel and uncaring toward them, as other kings of his time probably would have done, but by providing for their needs. He gave them food and money and allowed them to eat at his table.
I think one of the most important lessons our political leaders today, such as President Obama or Governor Pawlenty could take from this reading would be to keep themselves humble and stay connected with the people the govern. So that they can know what is best for the people and how to do what is best for them. Just like how Louis the 9th gave food and money to the poor, thereby providing for their needs. Politicians today should also not allow themselves to become so removed from those they represent that they begin to do only what they think the people need, instead of actually connecting with the people and really finding out. And in putting others before themselves, they should, again, provide for their constituents needs instead of trying to please their fellow politicians in order to advance themselves, I mention this because the reading mentions nothing about the king trying to do things to stay in the good graces of his fellow royalties.
