Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

 Lectionary: 383

...he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they ridiculed him. When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. And news of this spread throughout all that land.

In today's gospel we hear of Jesus's gift of freedom to an elderly woman and a girl on the brink of adolescence. He seems on a tear as he  liberates the sick, revives the dead, and brings good news to despised, unwelcome, and impoverished people. His enemies can neither contain nor constrain him. 

Crowds of admiring citizens greet and follow him wherever he goes. Most hope to see the Messiah's displays of power; many desire his personal attention and healing authority; some would emulate his uninhibited freedom; none will follow him to Calvary. 

As the Gospel saturates our mind and purifies our thinking, we realize that the Lord's freedom is that which he gives away. If some are enslaved by disability or illness, he sets them free. If they are constrained by ignorance, he teaches wisdom. If they are burdened with sin, he takes their guilt upon himself and suffers its just punishment. 

America teaches a different gospel. That freedom entails ownership and money; and is constrained by the lack of either. It may be purchased but should not be liberally given to others. I might be willing to give someone a ride, but not my car. I might invite them to my home but I don't want them to move in. 

Americans tell their children that freedom is guaranteed by laws but teenagers soon learn there are neighborhoods they dare not enter and liberties they cannot afford. Woody Guthrie knew what Americans mean by freedom, 

California is a garden of Eden, a paradise to live in or see

But believe it or not, you won't find it so hot

If you ain't got the do re mi

 So long as they have the dough they think they're free. When they don't they blame the politicians. 

Francis of Assisi discovered freedom by following the poor and crucified Christ. In poverty he knew communion with Jesus, and in that communion he found fellowship with all creation. He lived like the birds of the air who neither sow nor reap, and gather nothing into barns; and he was fed in the same manner. Their heavenly Father fed him. 

When he renounced his family's wealth and took to the road, Francis met mockery and contempt from many of his former friends. That passed, however, as his unfailing joy won their approval, but he continued to court the contempt of the world. Because Jesus was ridiculed by the mourners in the official's home, Francis also invited opprobrium. His head was not turned by the world's admiration or the demon Success. He remembered the hypocritical crowd who welcomed Jesus on Palm Sunday and cursed him on Good Friday. 

Owning nothing he guarded nothing. He would not be possessed by possessions. Finally, the story is told, as he lay dying, Francis surrendered his dearest treasure, his poverty. He wanted to die naked on the bare ground, but there were women present. His superior, Brother Elias, insisted that he wear some kind of clothing. When Francis still asked to die without his clothes, Elias compromised. He dressed the dying man in his own habit and not Francis's. Obedience trumped Poverty and the Saint surrendered his poverty and his will to Elias. 

If you and I are not called to imitate Francis's lifestyle we should nevertheless ask for his spirit and study his freedom, for he knew the Meaning of the Word.