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
Job 38:1,12-21,40:3-5
Lk 10:13-16
…the Lord gave Job his answer…
I used to have a friend who went through a series of adversities. I say ‘used to’ because, after our conversation, he blocked me and never contacted me again. I had seen his angry social media posts for some time. Concerned, I reached out to check if he was okay.
He was not.
What followed was a series of conversations over direct messages where he expressed his anger at God for allowing the many calamities that had taken place in his life. I felt sad hearing what he had had to go through. The conversation did not go well, and my (ex) friend ended the conversation by asking me if I could still believe in God if I went through the same things as him.
After a long period of reflection, I answered “Yes”. I think my friend did not believe me and subsequently blocked me. To be honest, I have often wondered if that was true — if I could really not blame God. I have not experienced that level of pain my friend had, and I cannot truthfully say that I would not react similarly.
That is why the Book of Job is special to me. In his tremendous suffering, Job understandably complains but never blames God for it. He asks God, on numerous occasions, to let him die and, despite this, continues to believe that God is on his side. Job has faith that after he dies, he will be with God.
As mentioned, we see Job speak intimately and respectfully with God. He complains about his afflictions and laments being on the receiving end. At times, he opines that, given his sufferings, he should never have been born. This clearly shows the depth of Job’s relationship with God. Regardless of what was happening, Job felt comfortable remaining authentic with God. While frustrated, Job continued to speak to God with reverence.
Another message that was reinforced for me was that bad things can happen to those who are good and innocent. When I was much younger, I believed I would avoid adversity if I were ‘good’ and did the right things. What a humbling reminder.
Brothers and sisters, may we look to Job as a model to learn how to continue to walk in faith to our eternal lives with God!
(Today’s Oxygen by Paul Wee)
Prayer: I pray that we may have faith as strong as Job. Help us, Father, to have as strong a relationship with You as he did.
Thanksgiving: We are grateful for Your love and for You travelling with us on our life’s journey.
OXYGEN 
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