Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi
Luke 10:17-24
The seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in Heaven.” At that very moment he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”
Opening Prayer: Lord, help me to see with the eyes of faith. I am your true child; I run to you now with my petitions, my joys, and my sorrows, knowing that you will honor my requests, be gladdened by my delights, and console me in my troubles.
Encountering Christ:
- Why Do We Rejoice?: Most of our lives are spent, in some manner, tracking our accomplishments: crossing items off our to-do lists, adding another skill to our résumé, putting a little more money in the bank. More selflessly, perhaps, we strive to meet a spiritual goal like going on a pilgrimage, or volunteering, or donating talent or treasure. We know it is our duty each day to choose good over evil, and we pray the Our Father and ask God to help us avoid temptation and sin. There is no harm in delighting in the good things we have done and the evils we have avoided, as long as we give God the glory. But Jesus asks that we find our deepest joy by looking forward, not back: Our hope is Heaven, and that is cause for rejoicing.
- Jesus’ Great Gift: Jesus told his disciples that they were blessed to see him, listen to him, and do the same works that he did. Jesus offers himself to us completely in the Eucharist. We have all that he has. Although we don’t see Jesus in person, with eyes of faith we can be as empowered as those first disciples were. It does not take great wisdom or great learning to trust in God. True wisdom is knowing the limits of our abilities and the great power of the Holy Spirit.
- Our Inner Child: Jesus wants us to experience the same closeness he has with his Father. The most perfect love we can know is through the relationship of the Holy Trinity, with the love between the Father and Son extending to the Holy Spirit. Small children of loving parents do not worry about where they are going or how their needs will be met; they trust fully in Mom and Dad to guide them and provide for them. That is exactly the kind of trust Jesus reminds us we should show him. How can we practice this trust? We can toss aside our “grown-up” self and see ourselves like a wide-eyed, joyful child, fully ready to follow where God wants to lead.
Conversing with Christ: Lord, little children presume that their needs will be met. Their trusting disposition allows them to be delighted by the simplest things. Help me to set aside my adult worries and spend that energy trusting you. With this peaceful heart, I will better hear your voice and allow you to equip me for the works you have planned for me to do.
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will focus on my spiritual growth, remembering that those most mature in faith are the most like small children: innocent, trusting, and aware of your power to heal, to forgive, and to guide us toward Heaven.
For Further Reflection: “You know well enough that Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, nor even at their difficulty, but at the love with which we do them” (St. Thérèse of Lisieux).
Dorothy Warner is a Washington, D.C., area writer, who also works in technology and has a family. When not gardening, volunteering, or baking artisanal breads, she enjoys spending time with her husband, grown children, and a large collection of family pets.
