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
Bar 4:5-12,27-29
Lk 10:17-24
‘Take courage, my people…. Take courage, my children, call on God.’
Brothers and sisters,
By way of background, the book of Baruch is named for the scriptural figure Baruch, who was the prophet Jeremiah’s scribe and confidant, and who accompanied Jeremiah into exile following the conquest of Jerusalem and destruction of the Temple by the Babylonians. The passage I chose to reflect on includes the final section of Baruch: a psalm of consolation. It offers words of encouragement to the remnant of Israel in exile, where the personified Jerusalem strengthens the people, her children.
The text begins with “Take courage, my people…” This opening is repeated later in the text: “Take courage, my children, call on God…” These two lines got me thinking about two questions. First, why are we, the people, called on to “take courage”? Second, what does it really mean to “take courage” as a Catholic?
Regarding the first question, there are so many circumstances we face in life which we will dread or fear. It certainly is easier to feel frightened and discouraged in those situations, rather than to face our fears with courage. Recently, I experienced the sudden passing of my mother. It came as a complete shock to my family and caused me to experience deep fear over what lies ahead for me in my life journey. I never contemplated not having my mother physically present with me as I embarked on my journey as a newly-wed, and someone thinking of becoming a mother myself. I felt frightened and abandoned. However, it is precisely when fear is the natural response, that one is called to “take courage”. Confronted with fear, one must actively participate by following God’s call to take courage; courage must be seized.
This leads me to the second question: what does it mean to “take courage” as a Catholic? Is it simply making a decision not to be afraid in situations where we might otherwise naturally feel afraid? No. It is more than that. It is taking the action which we believe is right, in spite of the fear we experience at the thought of taking it, where such action proceeds from faith in God. Saint Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:6-7 gives us the blueprint of what taking courage is: “So we are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.” Our courage must be fueled by our faith in God’s promises to us, to name a few: that He will never forsake us, that He will wipe away every tear, that He will provide for all we truly need. Courage results from taking hold of these promises (and so many more) from God. One must let oneself truly believe in God’s promises and reach out to Him in confidence. The fruit of such confidence is active participation in the Lord’s power.
Such active participation in the Lord’s power is demonstrated in the Gospel of Matthew 14:22-36 in which the same phrase, “take courage” is used by Jesus. There, Jesus had made the disciples get into a boat, and the boat as it was a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. The disciples later saw Jesus coming towards them, walking on the sea, and they were terrified. They cried out. But Jesus told them “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter, then took courage. He told Jesus “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Peter reached out in confidence to the Lord. And by doing so, he participated in Jesus’ power; he got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. Taking courage means stepping out of the boat with faith in God. And one can only hope that the more steps of faith one takes, it will become more intuitive to continue to take courage.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Stacey Fernandez)
Prayer: Jesus, I pray for the grace to truly believe in your promises for me in the storms of my life. Help me take courage by reaching out in confidence to you and stepping out of my boat.
Thanksgiving: Jesus, I thank you for reassuring me that you are always there for me to call on, and you are there to encourage me.
OXYGEN 
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