Biographical Information about St. Francis of Assisi[1]
Readings for the Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi, religious[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Neh 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12
We see in this reading the respective roles played by Ezra and Nehemiah in reestablishing Israel following the Diaspora, portrayed here by the chronicler. Ezra leads the people in reestablishing the Jewish faith while Nehemiah supports that action as the civil leader of the population. It is interesting to note the response of the people to the reading of the Law of Moses. The law clearly exposed the people’s failures in responding to the will of God, hence the weeping. Nehemiah changes that mood by proclaiming a feast or holy day, rejoicing in the return of the Word of God to Jerusalem.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
Psalm 19, in the strophes used today, sounds ironic against the initial response of the people to the Law of Moses in the Nehemiah reading above. The psalmist does, however, capture his (Nehemiah’s) intent in proclaiming a holy day and the celebration that ensued.
Gospel Lk 10:1-12
It is only in the Gospel of St. Luke that we hear the story of Jesus sending the seventy (two). This event is supported by other non-biblical writings (see Eusebius of Caesarea (c. 265-c. 340) Church History, Book. 1). The instructions given to those sent out are very similar to the instructions given to the Twelve, as was the message they were sent to proclaim.
Homily:
Jesus sends the Seventy (Two) into the world to proclaim the Kingdom of God and in doing so, they announce the Lord’s own relationship to that Kingdom. That message rebounds through the ages within the Saints of the Church. Starting with the call of his first Disciples, he sends the message of salvation to all the people of the world.
St. Francis of Assisi, whose feast we celebrate today, is one of the most prominent of our predecessors to hear that call. He heard it so clearly and so literally that he took it literally to heart. He renounced his substantial position and possessions, taking vows of poverty as well as celibacy and devoted himself whole heartedly to the service of God.
The story of St. Francis has been told in books and movies. It is celebrated by the Franciscan Order he founded so we will not speak in detail of it here other than to say that his call and response constitute an invitation to follow him on a path to holiness.
We are called, as were the seventy (two) and as was St. Francis. The same instructions flow from the Gospel into our hearts; “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.
Go on your way “
Pax
[1] The Picture today is “St. Francis of Assisi at Prayer” by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, 1645-50
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
Readings for the Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi, religious[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Neh 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12
We see in this reading the respective roles played by Ezra and Nehemiah in reestablishing Israel following the Diaspora, portrayed here by the chronicler. Ezra leads the people in reestablishing the Jewish faith while Nehemiah supports that action as the civil leader of the population. It is interesting to note the response of the people to the reading of the Law of Moses. The law clearly exposed the people’s failures in responding to the will of God, hence the weeping. Nehemiah changes that mood by proclaiming a feast or holy day, rejoicing in the return of the Word of God to Jerusalem.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
Psalm 19, in the strophes used today, sounds ironic against the initial response of the people to the Law of Moses in the Nehemiah reading above. The psalmist does, however, capture his (Nehemiah’s) intent in proclaiming a holy day and the celebration that ensued.
Gospel Lk 10:1-12
It is only in the Gospel of St. Luke that we hear the story of Jesus sending the seventy (two). This event is supported by other non-biblical writings (see Eusebius of Caesarea (c. 265-c. 340) Church History, Book. 1). The instructions given to those sent out are very similar to the instructions given to the Twelve, as was the message they were sent to proclaim.
Homily:
Jesus sends the Seventy (Two) into the world to proclaim the Kingdom of God and in doing so, they announce the Lord’s own relationship to that Kingdom. That message rebounds through the ages within the Saints of the Church. Starting with the call of his first Disciples, he sends the message of salvation to all the people of the world.
St. Francis of Assisi, whose feast we celebrate today, is one of the most prominent of our predecessors to hear that call. He heard it so clearly and so literally that he took it literally to heart. He renounced his substantial position and possessions, taking vows of poverty as well as celibacy and devoted himself whole heartedly to the service of God.
The story of St. Francis has been told in books and movies. It is celebrated by the Franciscan Order he founded so we will not speak in detail of it here other than to say that his call and response constitute an invitation to follow him on a path to holiness.
We are called, as were the seventy (two) and as was St. Francis. The same instructions flow from the Gospel into our hearts; “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.
Go on your way “
Pax
[1] The Picture today is “St. Francis of Assisi at Prayer” by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, 1645-50
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
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