Francis

Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.---St. Francis of Assisi

 

Today is the feast day of Francis of Assisi. Probably more people have heard of this Saint than any other. He is so prevalent that Walmart keeps plenty of his statues on hand for customers flower gardens all over the country. He is the patron Saint of animals and nature, and he is very misunderstood. Yes, he preached to the birds, he tamed a wolf, he called the moon sister and his own body brother ass. He was a mystic in that he saw God's mercy in both the hardship and victories of life. But more than any of this, he was deeply dedicated to the Holy Trinity, to the Virgin Mary, the Catholic Church, the poor, and to the salvation of souls. He was so intense in his love for Jesus that he wanted to be like Him in every way. So much did he want to be like Christ that he would often refuse any comfort that might cause him to forget his need for the Lord or the suffering of those around him. He was a radical soul. He heard Jesus tell him to rebuild His Church. He obeyed, and by example brought sweeping renewal. He did this by abandoning himself to the strange and upside down ways of the Kingdom of God. He called himself a clown for God. He prayed for God to make him an instrument of peace. This once very comfortable son of a wealthy merchant father became poor for the sake of the poor in his little town. In this, Francis was simply showing the world Jesus.

 

wkm