Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi
Saint Francis of Assisi willingly embraced a life of poverty as a way to seek union with Jesus who became poor for our sakes, who was born in poverty, lived and ministered in poverty, and who died a poor man with not even His own clothes to cover Himself. Embracing Christ’s poverty, Saint Francis then learned deeply the truth proclaimed in today’s psalm: “The LORD listens to the poor.” (Psalm 69:34) Having drawn close to the poor Christ, Saint Francis drew close to the confidence of the Eternal Son in the love and care of the Eternal Father. It is this childlike confidence that opens the way to knowing God, as our Lord exclaims in the Gospel today.
Today, let us ask the poor man of Assisi to pray for us that we may not put material things above daily prayer, regular visits to Jesus in the Eucharist, and love for our neighbors in need. In this way we will see all the more how our heavenly Father loves and cares for us, and listens to us in our need. Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us!