Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi Lk 10,13-15

St. Francis is primarily known as a symbol of poverty and humility. But that’s not the only thing he excelled at. He was endowed with several virtues by God, which he displayed through his open heart. Alongside poverty, his humility is notable; he never dared to become a priest, remaining a deacon until his death. For Francis, the priesthood was such a noble and supreme calling that he did not consider himself worthy of it. Even his outward appearance expressed humility; he was not ashamed to wear the garment of a beggar. Thanks to this virtue, he always had an open heart for those who were equally poor, whether physically or spiritually. From his humble position, he could perceive all the beauty that God had hidden not only in magnificent things but also in the smallest and simplest of creatures.

O. Francis’s humility was characterised by courage and determination. After his conversion, he was not afraid to leave everything behind, including his clothes, and start completely afresh, as if he had just been born naked. He did not hesitate to stand up to his father’s plans. He did not hesitate to approach the Pope and request the Rule of Saint Benedict, also known as the Rule of Humility. This modest attitude moved even the pontiff himself. Determined to become a martyr, he went to the Muslims, but the Sultan accepted him as a servant of God and only allowed his brothers to work in the holy places of the Promised Land. Perhaps this was because they had conquered this territory with their hearts rather than their swords.

Thanks to that, the Franciscans still work there today. Francis’s determination to change himself and then the world inspired many followers to follow in his footsteps. This also improved the Church’s image, as it recovered from the medieval excesses of its dissolute sons and daughters and once again embraced the simplicity of Christ’s gospel. Francis’ perseverance in adopting a new life with Christ sets an example for us all. Initially, he zealously repaired the church; then he realised that his mission was to save the Church. 

St. Francis had enough worldly wealth, but it could not feed him. That’s why he sought real wealth, just as many young people today do. Many of them are saturated with materialism and consumerism, yet they still feel a hunger for spirituality. Unfortunately, they often turn to occultism, New Age practices, or other Eastern religious practices that try to connect with creation and seek harmony. Young people follow these movements because they dislike a society that prioritizes property over people. They also perceive the problems associated with destroying the environment and threatening the future itself. Ultimately, they believe that only these religions offer meaning and answers to the concerns of nature.

If they had known that Christianity long ago answered these questions and offered solutions that took into account both the world and humanity, perhaps they would have looked in the right place. However, we should all follow the example of today’s saint to some extent and protect and honour the world and the people who inhabit it with us. After all, the first commandment in the Scriptures is to conquer the earth, which means to be its responsible and caring masters. There are plenty of examples to follow in St Francis. We could hardly imitate him in everything. But the invitation is still valid, and we can start with the small things and the humility that we often lack.