Oct 4 – Memorial for St. Francis of Assisi
Francis Bernardone (1181–1226) was the son of Pietro Bernadone, a rich cloth merchant. Though he had a good education and became part of his father’s business, he also had a somewhat misspent youth. He was a street brawler and some-time soldier. He was captured during a conflict between Assisi and Perugia, and spent over a year as prisoner of war. During this time, he had a conversion experience, including a reported message from Christ calling him to leave this worldly life. Upon release, Francis began taking his religion seriously.
He took the Gospel as the rule of his life, Jesus Christ as his literal example. He dressed in rough clothes, begged for his sustenance, and preached purity and peace. His family disapproved, and his father disinherited him; Francis formally renounced his wealth and inheritance. He visited hospitals, served the sick, preached in the streets, and took all men and women as siblings.
He began to attract followers in 1209 and, with papal blessing, founded the Franciscans based on a simple statement by Jesus: “Leave all and follow me.” In 1212, Clare of Assisi became his spiritual student, which led to the founding of the Poor Clares. He visited and preached to the Saracens. He composed songs and hymns to God and nature. He lived with animals, worked with his hands, cared for lepers, cleaned churches, and sent food to thieves. In 1221 he resigned direction of the Franciscans.
While in meditation on La Verna (Mount Alvernia) in the Apennines in September 1224, Francis received the stigmata, which periodically bled during the remaining two years of his life. This miracle has a separate memorial on 17 September.
In the Middle Ages, people who were believed to be possessed by Beelzebub especially called upon the intercession of St. Francis, the theory being that he was the demon’s opposite number in heaven.
“Sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society.” – St. Francis of Assisi
- Patron Saint Index
Neh 2:1-8
Lk 9:57-62
“I will follow you wherever you go.”
I once had someone knock on my door to try to spread the Gospel to me. The person was an earnest young man who sincerely felt that it was his duty to spread the faith to all around us. My father, who answered the door bell, remarked to me after asking the young man to go that “anybody willing to knock on the doors of people must be prepared to accept rejection.”
Rejection is something that I hate to receive. I am not sure if you have been rejected before, but it sure is terrible to be told that you are not needed nor wanted. The Gospel of today reminds us that rejecting the way of the world is the only way we can become a true follower of Christ.
Jesus pointed out that we must choose to prioritise our goal. We are Christian and hence, the objective of our lives is to live one which edifies.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Nicholas Chia)
Prayer: Dear Jesus, let us follow your example to be a good role model to all around us.
Thanksgiving: We give thanks for all who love us through their actions.
OXYGEN 
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