Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi, religious

Readings of the day from the Roman Lectionary

Readings for the Franciscan feast not found in Roman Lectionary

Foraging ducklings

Go on your way;
behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.
Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals;
and greet no one along the way.
Into whatever house you enter, first say,
'Peace to this household.'


Today is a "memorial" for most of the Church, but for Franciscans, a solemnity. We delight in this annual opportunity to celebrate our founder. Even as we are challenged by his story -- no other saint except Jesus and Mary lived so closely the vision of Christ -- we take joy in his company. 

To review a little basic information: Saint Francis was born of the wealthiest family in Assisi in 1182. As a child, he enjoyed a life of privilege with all its comforts and very few expectations. He seems to have had little schooling; he could not read the scholar's Latin, nor write much more than his signature. His highest aspiration, inherited from his father, was to be a knight. In pursuit of that goal he set out for war and was promptly captured and imprisoned in the enemy town of Perugia, within sight of his own Assisi. Released after his father paid the ransom, he returned to his carefree life of parties and carousing until God interrupted his second military venture. 
A voice in the middle of the night demanded of him, "Is it better to serve the master or the slave?" When he replied, "It's better to serve the master!" the voice again demanded, "So why are you serving the slave?" 
At that point he asked, "What do you want me to do?"
"Go back to Assisi and there you will be told what to do. 

He immediately gave away his war horse, armor and weapons and returned to Assisi in apparent disgrace. But Francis would wait a long time for another audition. Only after several years of prayer, fasting, silence and solitude did he hear that beautiful voice in a reading of today's gospel. Then, at last, he knew what he must do. 

But in the meanwhile he had learned the most important lesson, to wait on the direction of God's spirit. He had plenty of ideas about what he should do, and others made their suggestions; and he tentatively took up the traditional life of the hermit beggar; but mostly he waited on God's voice. During that difficult time he suffered the rejection of his own family, mistreatment by his friends, and the contempt of his fellow citizens. Children chased after him, mocking him with catcalls and hurled rocks. And all he could do was wait. 

In many ways Catholics find ourselves in that place today. "A people adrift" wonder, "What does God want of his Church?" How do Catholics act in 21st century America. Are we like others or unlike others? Should our dress be radically different, like that of the Muslims among us? Should our diet be as different as the devout Jew's? Should we resume the old dietary restrictions of abstaining from meat on Friday and fasting during Lent and Advent? Surely we're not all called to pacifism; vegetarianism; or "natural family planning" without benefit of surgery, medicines or tools? 

What do you want us to do, Lord? We await an answer.