Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Francis of Assisi, Rel., (4th October, 2019) on the Gospel
and the Memorial
Bar 1:15-22;
Ps 78:1-5.8-9. (R. v.9);
Lk 10:13-16.
Saint Francis was born at Assisi in 1181. His mother
christened him Giovanni after John the Baptist but his father renamed him
Francesco because he never wanted any man of God in his son. He enjoyed a very
rich easy life growing up because of his father's wealth and the permissiveness
of the times. Francis led a crowd of young people who spent their nights in
wild parties. He saw the call for knights for the Fourth Crusade as an
opportunity to earn glory. However, he gave his suit of armour decorated with
gold to a poor knight and obeyed God’s call to return home. He started to spend
more time in prayer and Christ asked him to repair His Church that scandal and
avarice were working on from the inside while outside heresies flourished while
he was praying in the ancient church at San Damiano. He was ordained only a
deacon under his protest. He preached about returning to God and obedience to
the Church. Slowly companions came to him. He loved all God's creations and
also preached to all. He tried to make poverty holy and saw possessions as the
death of love. Francis' final years were filled with suffering as well as
humiliation. He received the stigmata. He died on 4th October, 1226.
Francis is considered the founder of all Franciscan orders and the patron saint
of ecologists and merchants.[1]
Topic: God’s goodness.
Jesus used very strong words against Chorazin, Bethsaida, and
Capernaum because they did not repent after miracles performed in them. He
warned, “But at the judgement it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than
for” Chorazin, and Bethsaida. Again, that Capernaum “will be brought down to
Hades.”
It is easier for us to condemn these cities for their
unrepentant spirit. However, the Psalm reads, “the LORD is good; his steadfast
love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations” (Ps 100:5). Unequivocally, the Psalmist
testified that God has blessed us, cf. Ps
67:6, 7. Saint Paul also testified that God “has blessed us in Christ with
every spiritual blessing...” (Eph 1:3).
Repentance is not something abstract. It can be seen and
felt. Hence, John the Baptist said to the crowds, “Bear fruits that befit
repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our
father’” (Lk 3:8). And for Saint
James, faith apart from works is dead, cf. Jas
2:17.
We have seen miracles of which our life is the chief. But
just like the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, many have not
repented. We must remember always that God’s goodness demands positive response
from us, the recipients.
Bible Reading: Ps 67:1-7; Eph 1:3-14.
Thought for today: Responding to His goodness.
Let us pray: Lord, help us live lives of
testimony to your goodness – Amen.
Saint Francis of Assisi – Pray for us.
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