Word to the Wise
Thursday, October 4, 2012 - Oct. 4 - St. Francis of Assisi, religious
[Gal 6:14-18 and Matt 11:25-30]But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. [Galatians]
The Communion of Saints has some very celebrated figures in it, but St. Francis of Assisi has to be one of the biggest celebrities in the group! His figure is seen in churches and gardens around the world. We Dominicans refer to him in our tradition as "Holy Father Francis" and in some locations, a Dominican is often invited to preach on the feast of St. Francis and vice versa on the feast of St. Dominic! His "Canticle of the Sun" and "Peace Prayer" are sung in church and at other gatherings. The popular motion picture, "Brother Sun, Sister Moon," is about his life. All of this resulted from a profound but simple moment in the life of a carefree young man whose lifestyle was less than virtuous! He was moved by the sight of a leper and embraced him! In doing so, he embraced a life of complete poverty as well. In short, he rejected all that the world considered successful and prosperous and adopted "Lady Poverty" as the charism of his group of disciples which grew rapidly!
It is easy to "romanticize" a figure like St. Francis of Assisi and turn him into someone to be admired but not imitated! He has become the "decoration" for gardens, etc. It would be more important to recall his conversion and its significance, and ask ourselves what constitutes "success" and "security?" St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians today speaks to the cross as the sign of success! This is a stark contrast from what much of the world considers "success." The feast of St. Francis of Assisi is an occasion for us to reflect not on a celebrity but on a Christian who took the cross seriously. AMEN
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