Thought for the Day – 4 October – The Memorial of St Francis of Assisi (1181–1226)
Francis, the destitute and lowly, enters heaven, a rich man, acclaimed by the songs of angels! (Antiphon for the Memoria of St Francis from the Divine Office)
Joyful Saint, Joyful Pope!
In my presence and in the presence of others, try to be always joyful, for it is not fitting that a servant of God appear before the brothers or other men with a sad and glum face. —Saint Francis
The encounter with the living Jesus…fills the heart with joy, because it fills it with true life, a profound goodness that does not pass away or decay. —Pope Francis
Saint Francis called himself God’s court jester—the Jongleur de Dieu—as he went about singing the praise of God. Pope Francis brought the house down the night of his election, telling his brother cardinals, “May God forgive you!”
One can’t help but notice a kind of effervescent joy that spreads happiness to others. These men have shattered the stereotype of rigid, grim, calcified piety. They radiate something entirely different: the joy of Christ.
Jesus was attractive, in the literal sense of the word. People wanted to meet Him and hear Him and follow Him. Saint Francis had a similar effect and if the three million people who showed up at World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro are any indication, Pope Francis does too. The wisdom and faith of these men make them intriguing, to be sure, but their spirit of joy goes a long way in drawing these crowds.
Jesus, too, “rejoiced in the Holy Spirit” (Luke 10:21). And he wanted us to share in his joy. “These things I have spoken to you,” Jesus told his disciples, “that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). Twice again Jesus speaks in these terms: “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:24), and, “These things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves” (John 17:13).
This fullness of joy is our inheritance as Christians. And it doesn’t always have to come with suffering! The gift of knowing Christ, being subjects of the King of Kings, is a great joy in and of itself. This is what Jesus taught: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Matthew 13:44).
Saint Francis and Pope Francis have given everything, dedicating their entire lives for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. And in this they have found great joy.
St Francis Pray for us and let us all pray for our Holy Father!
St Francis leaves us with his blessing:
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord make His face to shine upon you
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
AnaStpaul 