Daily Reflection Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi

Francis of Assisi, like Ignatius of Loyola, struggled with his decision to forfeit warfare in order to nurture his relationship with God and to help renew other people spiritually. When we read about Francis and his “Lady Poverty” or his friendly contact with animals, we may opine that life became easier for him when he turned himself to God. Yes and No. Each of us is very much like Francis and Ignatius, as well as many other saints. When we respond to God’s invitation, we must stop and listen.

    In our first reading today, Nehemiah pleads with the king for permission and materials to repair the holy city of Jerusalem—a commission he received from God. “The king granted my requests, for the favoring hand of my God was upon me.”  Francis also received a call to mend the church-- not the physical building, but encouraging people to deepen their experience of God in the way they live, “Go and repair my church.”

    The gospel writers have been telling us how people have been following Jesus because of all the miracles he is performing. So, some ask to become his followers. Jesus reminds the “would be followers” that becoming a part of Jesus’ vocation entails sacrifice, forfeiting whatever gets in our way of living the commandments—especially the two great commandments.

    Here again, Francis leads the way. He spends time alone struggling with his own sin. Do we not also struggle with our own selfishness, seeking more than is necessary? With effort Francis not only befriends his God, he allows this Love to take over his life. He hears and takes Jesus’ words seriously, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God,” Whether in our daily lives, our religious affiliations, our politics, our family relations, we have received the same invitation as did Francis, “Go and repair my church.”



    Today as the Synod meetings commence, God’s directive to Francis, “Go and repair my church” are spot on. Whether it is Nehemiah pleading to save the faith in Jerusalem, Francis repairing the spirituality of the people, or the participants involved in the Synod, all of us as Church have the responsibility to be open to the Holy Spirit, acknowledge and follow what must be changed and support each other in love and in prayer. 

You are holy, Lord, the only God, 

and your deeds are wonderful.

You are love,

You are wisdom,

You are humility,

You are endurance.

You are rest,

You are peace.

You are gentleness.

You are our protector,

You are our guardian and defender.

You are courage.

You are our haven and our hope.

You are our faith, our great consolation.

You are our eternal life, great

and wonderful Lord,

God almighty, merciful Savior. 

                                                                             --St. Francis of Assisi