Word to the Wise
Monday, October 4, 2010 - St. Francis of Assisi
[Galatians 1:6--12 and Luke 10:25-37]"Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers' victim?" He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2010 ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI [Galatians 1:6-12 and Luke 10:25-37] "Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers' victim?" He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." There is a dramatic incident connected with St. Francis' initial conversion from a "playboy" life to the character with whom we are so familiar in our gardens. It concerns his response to seeing a leper on the road. He leaves his horse and embraces the leper! Although "Lady Poverty" is the principal figure in Franciscan charism, mercy is not far behind! The Samaritan in the parable responds in a distinctly "franciscan" way! It is, of course, anachronistic to apply that term in that way, but the gospel scripture assigned for this day seems to invite the effort! Although we have no direct evidence that St. Dominic and St. Francis ever met in person, we Dominicans consider Franciscans to be our "cousins." Our orders were founded close together in time. We represent two very distinct ways of preaching the gospel, and our charisms have overlapped to some degree. There are famous Franciscan itinerant preachers and intellectuals (St. Anthony and St.Bonaventure) and there are Dominican friars who are famous for their poverty and concern for the poor (Sts. Martin de Porres and Juan Macias.) Today, however, the Franciscan charism of love for the poor, detachment from material goods, and an openness to all God's creatures is the focus. The Good Samaritan may not have been a Franciscan, but I'm sure their vocation director would love to hear from him. AMEN
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