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09 Dec 2012 - Second Sunday of Advent, Cycle C

THE ADVENT journey invites us to trust God who leads us and fills in and levels the dark valleys ahead. In his Testament, Saint Francis of Assisi wrote: “When I was in my sins, just to see lepers was very bitter for me. And the Lord himself took me among them, and I showed mercy to them. And on leaving them, what seemed bitter to me had turned for me into sweetness of body and soul.” By allowing God to lead him where he’d never have chosen to go, Francis discovered where Christ abides. Centuries later a Franciscan nun was on duty in a hospital when an ambulance brought in a severely injured man, filthy and left for dead and covered with maggots. The other nurses could not bring themselves to deal with him, but this sister patiently removed the insects and bathed the man, only to find that the maggots had disinfected the man’s wounds so that he had a chance at survival and healing. “I am confident that the one who has begun the good work in you will carry it through to completion, right up to the day of Christ Jesus.” Lord Jesus, come.

Authors Father Larry Janowski O.F.M.

advent lepers Francis of Assisi

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04 Nov 2018 - Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

The central mantra of the Jewish people is “Hear, O Israel.” Listen. The command implies that still one can hear, that the revelation is still happening. —Michael Lerner, Jewish Renewal Where there is love and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance. —Saint Francis of Assisi

Francis of Assisi

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24 May 2020 - Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Cycle A

The mission of the Christian in the world is a mission for all, a mission of service, which excludes no one; it requires great generosity. . . . There is so much need for Christians who bear witness to the gospel with joy in everyday life. —Pope Francis Stay where you are--find your own Calcutta. Find the sick, the suffering, the lonely, right there where you are, in your own homes and in your own families, in your workplaces and schools. —Blessed Mother Teresa It is no use walking somewhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching. —Saint Francis of Assisi

Pope Francis Mother Teresa Francis of Assisi

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15 Aug 2021 - Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Cycle B

Today Earth has sent a priceless gift up to heaven, so that by giving and receiving within the blessed bond of friendship, the human is wedded to the divine, Earth to heaven, the depths to the heights. . . . —Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) Hail, God's palace; hail tabernacle of the Most High; hail, house of God; hail, God's holy vestments; hail, handmaid of God! —Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) Whatever was transitory in [Mary’s] life fell into the power of death, but only so that all that was eternal in her could shine in the full light, the eternal light made up of all the little flames of each instant of her shining existence. —Karl Rahner, S.J. (1904-84)

karl rahner Francis of Assisi saint bernard of clairvaux

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30 Jan 2022 - Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

Not many years after turning from wealth and war to a committed Christian life, Saint Francis of Assisi, filled with zeal, tried to reach the Holy Land to evangelize the Saracens, an Arab and Muslim people who were fighting Crusaders. After failing several times, he reached a Crusader camp in Egypt with his companion, Brother Illuminato. Going forth boldly, they crossed the battle line. The sultan, Al-Malik al Kamil, recognized them as people of God and peace, and received them. The Franciscans and the sultan talked for several days. Then, the sultan had the two taken safely back, and also granted all Franciscans safe passage throughout his territory. An Islamic oral tradition says the sultan even contemplated becoming a Christian, but shied away out of fear of the consequences. Francis told his friars not to evangelize by “arguments and disputes” but to let their Christian witness do the talking. He obviously embodied these values in his encounter with Al-Malik al Kamil. Rather than exchanging condemnations, the two began with respect, hospitality, and dialogue, and a peaceable and mutually enlightened encounter resulted, without either side abandoning their fidelity to their faiths. Like Jeremiah, Elijah, and Elisha, Francis took God’s word across borders. And he did so not with arrogance, rudeness, self-interest, or anger, but with patience and kindness—and truth.

Authors Joel Schorn

crusades Francis of Assisi christian witness Evangelization

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10 Jul 2022 - Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

In every moment of genuine love, we are dwelling in God and God is dwelling in us. —Paul Tillich Most High, glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart and give me true faith, certain hope, and perfect charity, sense, and knowledge Lord, that I may carry out your holy and true command. —Saint Francis of Assisi In times of desolation, God conceals himself from us so that we can discover for ourselves what we are without him. —Saint Margaret of Cortona

—Paul Tillich Francis of Assisi

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05 May 2024 - Sixth Sunday of Easter, Cycle B

Hold back nothing of yourself for yourself, so that He who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally. —Saint Francis of Assisi I am not my own; I have given myself to Jesus. He must be my only love. —Saint Kateri Tekakwitha

Francis of Assisi Saint Kateri Tekakwitha

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06 Oct 2024 - Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Pure, holy simplicity confounds all the wisdom of this world and the wisdom of the flesh. —Francis of Assisi God intended the Earth with everything contained in it for the use of all human beings and peoples. —Gaudium et spes

Francis of Assisi gaudium et spes

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