Memorial of Saint
Francis of Assisi, religious
(Galatians 1:13-24; Luke 10:38-42)
The lives of Saints Paul and Francis exhibit a remarkable
similarity. Both icons of the Church
experienced profound religious conversion.
As a young man, Francis was a soldier of fortune. He fought as a soldier and lived a profligate
lifestyle. Then he encountered Christ who
changed his ways. Imitating his new
found Lord, Francis divested himself of worldliness. His new disposition attracted many followers
to his side.
Paul relates part of his conversion in today’s first
reading. As a zealous Jew, he persecuted
the Church mercilessly. Then he met the
one whom he found most objectionable, and his life also radically changed. Evidently Paul contemplated what happened in
his encounter with Christ for years. Aware
of a call to preach the gospel, Paul prepared himself carefully before
beginning a mission.
It is likely that all of us have experienced a calling by
Christ. We probably did not see him or
hear him as a distinct voice. Perhaps Christ
made himself felt through the poor who rely completely on him or through the
Church, his body. Nevertheless, he has
touched us with a sense of purpose. We
too have been converted. We now live as
his disciples imitating his goodness and handing on his love.
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