Skip to main content
I recently watched a movie about the lives of St. Francis and St. Claire. Both were born in Assisi, Italy. Although eleven years separated them, their paths crossed many times in the little town. Francis' father was a merchant who sold fabric. Claire's father was a wealthy nobleman. What struck me most of all was the way that Francis came to his calling. He was inspired by the reading of the Gospel at Mass and began to explore the Bible more. We always associate peace with Francis now but the movie explained that he began to greet everyone with "peace be with you" when he met someone. We know of course what an integral part of Mass that saying has become. I have always had a great love for Francis and Claire and I of course knew of their relationship. The movie, however, gave me a deeper insight into the lives of two very influential saints. When Francis took up his true vocation he renounced everything that was connected to his family's wealth. He even stripped naked to return the clothes he had on to his father. He truly was following Jesus' instructions that say "none of you can be my disciple without giving up all that he owns" in Luke 14:33. Francis realized that he had to rid himself of all worldly things if he was to truly understand the plight of the poor and serve them fully. This concept is the exact opposite of what most of us do in our daily lives. We have become a nation and world of collectors. He who dies with the most toys wins. How did we get here from there? What is truly important to you in your life? Is it more important to have a new car or the latest PDA rather than developing a deeper relationship with God? Why are we hording money when God tells us that He will take care of us? The answer for me lies in the fact that I am still maturing in my relationship with God. To allow myself to be cradled in God's loving hands and depend on Him for everything is truly the ultimate goal. I am walking the path but I am not there yet. Do you have the courage of Francis? Do you want to become a true disciple of Jesus? Look to the examples like Francis and Claire. The walk starts with one step. Are you brave enough to take it?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Praying With The Five Wounds Of Jesus

I am just beginning to dive into the beautiful, ancient devotion to the Five Wounds of Jesus, and I wanted to share a bit of the journey with you. It can feel a little overwhelming at first to look at the Crucifix this closely, but I’ve found such a gentle guide in St. Bernard of Clairvaux . In his Jubilee Rhythm on the Passion, Bernard doesn't treat the wounds of Jesus as distant historical facts or sights to be avoided. Instead, he approaches them with the tenderness of a friend, speaking directly to the feet, hands, side, and face of our Lord. For someone like me who is just starting out, his rhythm teaches that prayer isn't just about reciting words; it’s a holy hide-and-seek. Bernard invites us to literally hide ourselves within these wounds, seeing them as clefts in the rock where we can find shelter when our own lives feel turbulent or heavy. As I start this process, I’ve been practicing what I call gazing and greeting. Following Bernard’s lead, I look at the Crucifix an...
Post a Comment
Read more

Woman, Behold Your Son

The spiritual climax of the Gospel of John, as Father John Waiss points out, occurs at the foot of the Cross, where Jesus utters his parting words: “Woman, behold, your son!” and “Behold your mother!” (John 19:26-27). While these words were addressed to the Apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, the Church has long understood this moment as a universal adoption. To truly image Christ, we must share in His parentage; if we embrace God as our spiritual Father but reject Mary as our mother, we treat Christ as a half-brother rather than our "firstborn among many brethren" (Rom. 8:29). As Origen noted as early as the third century, the profound depths of the Gospel are only accessible to those who, like John, rest their heads on Jesus’ breast and receive Mary into their own homes. This maternal role is deeply rooted in biblical typology, positioning Mary as the fulfillment of the great mothers of the Old Covenant. She is the New Eve , the mother of all the living according ...
Post a Comment
Read more

From Fisherman to Foremen: Peter’s First Act as Shepherd

In the immediate aftermath of the Ascension, we see a profound transformation in Peter, moving from the impulsive fisherman who once fled in the garden to the courageous shepherd of the early Church. By standing up in the heart of Jerusalem to deliver his first great "sermon" at Pentecost, Peter is not merely offering an inspired speech; he is stepping into the primordial role of the Papacy. He was specifically commissioned by Christ on the shores of Galilee to "feed my sheep," and here we see that nourishment take the form of the Word. He takes control of a frightened and confused community, providing the definitive interpretation of the Resurrection and anchoring the fledgling Church in the truth of the Gospel. This moment in the Acts of the Apostles reminds us that the authority of Peter was never about personal power, but about the sacred duty of unity and guidance. By taking the lead in the upper room and before the crowds, Peter demonstrates that the "key...
Post a Comment
Read more