Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi

Turning to the disciples in private he said,
“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
For I say to you,
many prophets and kings desired to see what you see,
but did not see it,
and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”

How blessed are we to have the Gospel so we too can see and hear what they saw, what they heard.

Today as we celebrate the memorial of St Francis of Assisi we recognize the blessing that St Francis is to all Christians. If asked who St Francis was, most people would remember his respect for nature and animals. Sometimes calling birds and animals brothers. But that was only a small part of who St Francis was. He converted at a young age and left a wealth-focused life to build up the church Jesus founded. He would lead efforts to actually rebuild physical churches but also found religious orders building up the spiritual world of mankind too.

He was also the first saint known to have the stigmata or wounds of the crucifixion. He was deeply focused on Jesus Christ and the Eucharist. He noted that sheep in the presence of the Eucharist knelt down. Many of his miracles were connected to the cross of Christ. He first heard Christ speak to him at the cross of San Damiano. He asked what do you want of
Me lord.

Today for those who have visited the cross in San Damiano the eyes of Jesus on the cross still penetrate into the heart, and many have been converted and renewed at the cross there. It was there he began working to rebuild the church by repairing the chapel.

It’s important that we do not take for granted the Gospel and teachings of Jesus. They are truly blessings that we were given to help us answer the question, what do you want of me Lord.

Each of us will hear a different answer.

But if we ask with open hearts focused of Jesus Christ we will hear an answer.

Maybe it is a whisper in our soul, maybe it is from another person who were inspired to relay a message to use. It can happen. It’s real and it won’t be iffy or fuzzy.

Today as we hear the disciples tell of their efforts to go into the world to spread the good. Was and drive out demons. As we recall the life of St Francis of Assisi and his conversion and saintly life we should be inspired and reminded that we too are called to not only be disciples but saints. Each one of us. The Lord asked St Francis in that first conversation, who do you want to serve, the servant or the Lord.
He replied, The Lord.

Who do we want to serve today? And what are we going to do about it?