October 4: Saint Francis / San Francisco
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Some biographers of St. Francis of Assisi have suggested that the deepest source of his joy was his relationship with God. It is this intimate link with God which ultimately made his work, his preaching, and his love worthwhile.
Jesus declared, “Happy the eyes that see what you see.” St. Francis recognized the presence of God in the person of Jesus, he believed in His special relationship with the Father and felt a share in that relationship. That, again, was the basic source of his joy: his calm assurance that, no matter what, all would be well.
Our sharing in Jesus’ relationship with God, His Father and our Father, is our greatest treasure, beyond any success we may have in life. Sharing in that relationship is what “many prophets and kings longed to see and hear,” and it is our deepest reason for joy and gratitude. Even when our days will end, our share in Jesus’ relationship with God will endure.
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Join us on Saturday in front of the gymnasium at 10am for the traditional Blessing of Animals. Vamos a bendecir a mascotas y otros animales el sábado a las 10am. Todos están invitados.
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Hoy hablamos mucho de pobreza o de retornar a los verdaderos valores del Evangelio. Lo que San Francisco de Asís emprendió en el siglo XIII nos podría inspirar muy bien a nosotros, personas de nuestro tiempo.
La sociedad de hoy amenaza con destruirse a sí misma en muchas partes del mundo por su misma ideología y prosperidad, incluso en países en desarrollo se imponen necesidades artificiales sobre el pueblo, con pérdida de los más profundos valores de Dios y del mismo pueblo.
Lo que necesitamos es no solamente hablar sobre pobreza y sobre vida Evangélica, sino vivir responsablemente (y con ayuda de San Francisco) nuestra vida católica conforme a los valores del Evangelio.