Friday, January 24, 2025

Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

(Hebrews 8:6-13; Mark3:13-19)

Mark, the evangelist, describes Jesus’ choosing his apostles with discretion and formality.  He summons not everyone who desires the office but those he wants.  He does not ordain them anywhere but on a mountain.  This arrangement indicates the importance of the apostles. They will not only preach the kingdom of God to the nations but also will form the framework of his Church. 

Today the church celebrates a man who was in the line of these apostles.  Francis de Sales was bishop of Geneva during the time of the Protestant Reformation.  Like all bishops, Francis was ordained in a direct line of succession from the apostles.  Again, as all bishops he was given the solemn duty of maintaining the faith of the apostles.  And like all others Francis provided the sacraments which Christ instituted to maintain a physical presence in his Church.

Francis is portrayed in descriptions of the saints as an affable man with a desire to reach out to those who left the Church and to uplift those who remained faithful Catholics.  It is said that his preaching converted many protestants while his book Introduction to the Devout Life deepened the spirituality of many laypersons.

Wednesday, January, 24, 2024

Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

(II Samuel 7:4-17; Mark 4:1-20)

The two readings today are encountered various times during the year.  In the first God covenants with His servant David to make one of his descendants an eternal king.  Christians, of course, see the promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

The gospel parable of seeds falling on different kinds of terrain is found in Mark, Matthew, and Luke.  With it Jesus urges his listeners to make of themselves the kind of earth that produces abundant fruit. His prescription for doing this is contained in the parable.  One must retreat from gossip and frivolous interests (the path).  One must also take care to reflect and pray (roots growing deep into the soil).  Finally, one must not be detoured by fame, fortune, or other pursuits (smothering thorns).

Today’s patron is somewhat well-known.  St. Francis de Sales was the Bishop of Geneva at the end of the Protestant Reformation. He wrote a classic book on spirituality called The Devout Life.  It famously says that everyone is called to sanctity but each according to his or her personal characteristics.  Francis means that we are all called to live in Christ’s eternal kingdom.  To arrive there, he would say, we must cultivate our lives to produce good fruit.

Monday, January 24, 2022

 Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church

(II Samuel 5:1-7.10; Mark 3:22-30)

With the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul tomorrow another Week of Christian Unity comes to an end.  Once, not very long ago, Christian unity seemed a near reality.  Statements of agreements were signed.  Pastors exchanged pulpits.  More recently, however, unity seems more like an automobile without wheels – more remote than near possibility.  St. Francis de Sales, however, experienced much more difficult ecumenical relations.  His virtue may provide a roadmap out of the impasse.

Francis lived in France at the end of the sixteenth century.  The country was experiencing civil unrest between the Catholic majority and the large Calvinist population. Francis was something of a novelty, a soft-spoken scholar characterized by humility and deference.  He was named bishop of Geneva but could not reside there because of the hostile Calvinist government.  In a city of France twenty-two miles to the south he worked among the people promoting spirituality of the laity. 

In today’s gospel Jesus says that “a house divided against itself cannot stand.”  Divisions have plagued Christianity since the beginning.  This reality does not prove Jesus wrong.  It does require that the strongman – in the gospel Satan; in the Church, arrogance – be arrested.  Then the Church will be able to complete its mission of bringing Christ to the whole world.

Friday, January 24, 220

Memorial of St. Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church

(I Samuel 24:3-21; Mark 3:13-19)

Tomorrow, the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, ends the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  For the last six days the Church has asked Catholics to pray that all Christians will be united again.  Some Protestant denominations have their members doing likewise.  Jesus initiated the prayer at the Last Supper in John’s gospel.  He prayed that “they (his disciples) may be one.”

Today we honor one of the great saints of the Reformation, Francis de Sales.  He became the bishop of Geneva, the center of the Protestant Reformed movement.  Francis brought to the ongoing debate between Catholics and Calvinists a firm grasp of theology.  Today’s dialogue between Catholic and Protestant leaders requires such understanding.  If agreements between the churches are to have meaning, they must be based on truthful premises.

But they also require humility in approaching one another.  We can look to today’s first reading for an example.  David humbly refuses to take advantage of Saul, the king of Israel.  He would join the king in the war against Israel’s enemies.  Catholics and Protestants should likewise join forces against enemies like homelessness and anti-religious bigotry.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church

(II Samuel 7:4-17; Mark 4:1-20)

As the Week of Christian Unity draws to a close, it might be asked how one of the great Catholics of Reformation times treated Protestants.  St. Francis de Sales was a priest and bishop in Switzerland, a country that largely converted to Calvinism.  Influenced by religious rivalry, Francis broadly backed social and political pressures to bring Calvinists back to the Church.  But when he faced Protestants directly, he spoke to their hearts. 

Francis believed that intellectual arguments do not change people’s ways as much as calling forth the good in everyone.  He would say that it is not necessary for a farmer to pray like a monk but could offer a simple prayer to place himself on the path of holiness.  Francis was able to attract a number of Calvinists to Catholicism.  Perhaps more important than conversions, his preaching the possibility of universal holiness allows for common ground among Catholics and Protestants today.

Calvinism emphasizes especially personal righteousness. It sees human nature as seriously defected by original sin.  Nevertheless, Calvinism finds some human beings redeemed by Christ.  These fortunate few, it teaches, will lead holy lives with Christ’s grace. Whether they are bankers or farmhands, Calvinism insists that their lives exemplify prayer and decency.  A convergence may be noted here with Francis’ sense of universal holiness.  Both Calvin and De Sales offer the possibility of every baptized person leading holy life.  Calvin may be stricter in his sense of what holiness consists and Francis more flexible.  But both find the need of seriousness in pursuing sanctity.

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church

(Hebrews 10:1-10; Mark 3:31-35)

Some commentators see Jesus rejecting Mary and his relatives in this gospel passage.  But it seems fairer to say that he is only declaring God the priority of his life.  Francis de Sales did much the same as a young man.

Francis came from an aristocratic family.  After sending him to study law, his father expected him to serve as a local magistrate.  He even picked out a noblewoman to be Francis’ wife.  Francis, however, wanted to serve the Lord as a priest.  Through the intervention of the bishop of Geneva, he was ordained.  In time he became a marvel – converting Calvinists and sharing his possessions with the poor.  He served as bishop and wrote a much acclaimed treatise on spirituality.  Two centuries later he was declared a doctor of the Church. 

We all have preferences – baseball rather than football, CBS news rather than ABC, tea rather than coffee.  What Jesus asks of us is that we make God our first choice.  We place him above family, friends, even our own life.  He promises that we will never be disappointed when we do so.  We will find that we can become a better relative, friend, and person by making God our priority.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Memorial of St. Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church

(I Samuel 24:3-21; Mark 3:13-19)

Vatican II’s proclamation of the universal call to holiness surprised many people who somehow thought it an innovation.  Of course, it was not.  The Scriptures claim it (cf., I Thessalonians 4:7), and spiritual theologians like St. Francis de Sales have made it a foundational principle.  Francis’ Introduction to the Devout Life gives insight to how people in different walks of life may come to know the Lord intimately.  Perhaps the misinterpretation of today’s gospel has caused the confusion over this important truth.

Jesus calls his apostles from the growing number of disciples who have followed him.  They are likely capable men with gifts of communication and tolerance to face the challenges of itinerant preaching.  Those he does not choose for the task remain people charged to “repent and believe in the gospel.”  In other words, they are still called to holiness even though, for one reason or another, Jesus does not specify their contribution to the Kingdom in the same way as the twelve.

Called to holiness by God, we endeavor to form a close relationship with Jesus.  We learn about him through studying the gospels.  We speak to him in prayer where we tell him of our love.  And we ask his assistance with all our needs.  His reply to us comes through our daily experience, especially the murmurings of conscience.   

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church

(Hebrews 7:25-8:6; Mark 3:7-12)

As the Week of Christian Unity draws to a close, it might be asked how one of the great Catholics of Reformation times treated Protestants. St. Francis de Sales was a priest and bishop in Switzerland, a country that largely converted to Calvinism. Influenced by religious rivalry, Francis broadly backed social and political pressures to bring Calvinists back to the Church. But when he faced Protestants directly, he spoke to their hearts.

Francis believed that intellectual arguments do not change people’s ways as much as calling forth the good in everyone. He would say that it is not necessary for a farmer to pray like a hermit, but offering his simple prayer sincerely put him on the path of holiness. His friendly persuasion attracted a number of Calvinists to Catholicism. But more important than conversions, his arguments allow for common ground today among lay Catholics and Protestants search who search for ways to be Christ’s disciples.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, bishop

(II Samuel6:12b-15.17-19; Mark 3:31-35)

Noblesse oblige is a French phrase meaning that nobility entails responsibility. Perhaps St. Francis de Sales, being French, knew the expression. He certainly practiced it. Although he forfeited his rights as a nobleman when he became a priest, he was eventually elevated to the episcopacy whose affairs he conducted with great honor. He defended the Catholic Church in the hostile environment of Geneva and left a rich legacy of spirituality for the laity. Noblesse oblige also applies to King David whom we hear about in the first reading.

David is renowned as a warrior, but he should also be remembered for his love for the Lord. The dance he does on the entrance of the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem conveys all the affection of a spiritual sung by Mahalia Jackson. His love for God is even better expressed by his care for God’s people. Every king has a divinely ordained responsibility to assure the welfare of the poor in his land. David is pictured as discharging this duty as he provides everyone with a banquet’s share of food to celebrate the reception of the Ark.

As a political system, royalty has largely ceded to democracy where common men and women share the rights of kingship. Especially those with more than ample means must not forget the responsibility to look after the needs of the poor. After all, wealth is held by individuals to assure its efficient use, but it is meant for the good of all.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, bishop

(Hebrews 9:15.24-28; Mark 3:22-30)

In 1858 Abraham Lincoln used Jesus’ statement in today’s gospel to explain why the status quo regarding slavery in America was doomed. The country was being continually thrown into crisis because the South could not tolerate the loss of political power when territories wanted to join the Union as “free” states. Lincoln reasoned that the United States would have to become completely slave or completely free just as “a house divided against itself cannot stand.”

Lincoln’s application of Jesus’ statement reminds us not to compromise with evil. A group of associates incessantly making sexual innuendos, a habit of “borrowing” from the company to pay personal debts, a practice of lying about one’s whereabouts – any of these situations can lead us fully down the path to corruption. It is true, as St. Francis De Sales once wrote, that we need to be patient with ourselves. But patience is not allowing evil to take root in our hearts but to make constant effort, as a gardener weeding his flower patch, that vice has difficulty finding a place to germinate.