OCTOBER 2/3, 2021
St. Francis of Assisi has been given a bad reputation in the modern era. He’s been co-opted by hippies, environmentalists, and others . . . for themselves, and without regard to who he really was.
Francis felt called to serve in a heroic way. Twice, he tried to go to war. The second time, he had a dream with instructions sending him home. And so, he did – selling his armor and sword, and giving it to the poor. He spent time in prayer, seeking to know . . . more and more perfectly . . . the will of God for his life.
While in the chapel of the Monastery of San Damiano, the crucifix spoke to him . . . telling him three times: “go and repair my church which, as you see, is all in ruins!”
Initially, Francis thought that the point of the message was to rebuild that particular chapel. Later, he would realize that he was called to rebuild the Church – the big “C” church – reforming the Church, by demonstrating that the Gospel was not beyond being lived out day-by-day by ordinary people . . . in a spirit of charity and poverty.
He founded three orders: (1) the friars minor – or the “little brothers,” (2) the “poor Clares,” and (3) the “brothers and sisters of penance” – or what is now known as the “Third Order.”
Francis embraced the Gospel literally and radically, and this should give us all pause . . . begging the question: “Do we really allow the message of the Gospel to penetrate into the depths of our being?”
Francis realized that God had given us everything, and he desired to give everything to God.
Today’s readings, for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, speak of the first covenant given by God to humanity – that is, Marriage.
A covenant is similar to a contract. But, where a contract is an exchange of goods . . . a covenant is an exchange of persons . . . that is, the establishment of a relationship.
The best example of this is Matrimony, where husband and wife give themselves to each other completely: “in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health.” to love and honor each other ”all the days of [their lives].” Marriage reflects the relationship of Christ and His Church.
In the same way, the other six Sacraments are also covenants – where we are brought into a deeper relationship with God in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist – the Sacraments of Initiation – bring us into relationship with the Most Holy Trinity.
Reconciliation and Anointing – restore us spiritually and physically according to God’s Will.
And Matrimony and Orders create a visible community . . . a family of Faith, Hope, and Love . . . to build up the Kingdom of God in the world.
St. Francis saw himself as the herald of a great King – that is, he proclaimed the Kingdom of God in a world . . . which like our own . . . had grown cold. Francis was a fire burning in that cold world . . . an intense fire of Divine Love.
Francis sought to live the Gospel in such a way as to be a living Gospel. His message was the message of Christ. And his life was lived for Christ.
And, as his mission found it’s origin with a message from the cross . . . toward the end of his life, he bore the stigmata – the wounds of Christ – in his own body . . . for the last two years of his life. And up and until he died, he was a living image of Our Savior on the Cross.
As we approach this altar to receive the Sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ . . . let us, in this covenant meal of the Eucharist, receive Christ totally . . . as we give ourselves totally to Him. And through the intercession of St. Francis . . . and in following his example . . . let us strive to give ourselves entirely to Christ . . . “through Him, with Him, and in Him” . . . may we – in all that we say, and in all that we do – bring the Gospel to the world by the manner of our own lives . . . in relationship to God and to His Church.
