Gospel

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.”

Reflection

When you know who Saint Francis of Assisi was, when you know his story, it's easy to see why he has become so popular as a saint. Probably the best known saint in all of Catholicism. More books written on him than any other saint. And what I'm asking you to recognize in his teaching is something so simple, so beautiful.

He fell in love with God, with a childlike love and a childlike enthusiasm for God's creation. God's creatures. He was amazingly human and simple and excited about the work that he and his brothers would do.

Closing Prayer

Father, we do need models. We do need people to show us the way, but I want to thank you in particular for the gift that you've given us in Saint Francis. What a beautiful man. What a wonderful teaching. I've been drawn to it my whole priesthood, and I pray His spirit will fill you and me as we continue our journey. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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