Today is Oct. 4, the memorial of St. Francis of Assisi.
In the readings for today’s feast, Jesus says: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
Dreaming of becoming a great knight, Francis of Assisi was on his way to join papal troops in Apulia, on the East coast of Italy. In the middle of the night, a voice asked Francis, “Who is more important, the servant or the Master?” The question is a provocative one. It meant: Will you serve the things of this world or the things of heaven? Francis answered that “the Master” is more important. The voice then asked, “Why then do you seek the servant instead of the Master?”
After this striking moment, Francis returned home. And little by little, his conversion deepened and grew. Bit by bit, he threw off his worldly dreams. And then one day, while in prayer, the San Damiano crucifix spoke to Francis saying, “Francis, repair My house which, as you see, is completely in ruins.” After that day, it’s said that St. Francis could not speak about Christ Crucified without weeping.
By making himself a servant of the Divine Master, St. Francis found the freedom he was looking for. As we celebrate his feast day today, we should ask ourselves: What Master do I serve? How can I be more like Francis and find a little bit more freedom? What am I attached to that limits the ways that I love the Church and Christ Crucified?
Prayer invoking the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi:
O God, by whose gift Saint Francis was conformed to Christ in poverty and humility, grant that, by walking in Francis’ footsteps, we may follow your son, and, through joyful charity, come to be united with you. Through our lord Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the holy spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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