Improbable success stories

     There was a guy named Jonah whom God sent to call the great city of Nineveh to repentance.  It was a daunting task, since Nineveh was huge and the people did not know this God who was calling them to repentance.  In fact, Jonah tried to duck out, but the best laid plans were thwarted by God,  but he did his best.  And lo and behold, after only one day the king and the citizens repented in sack cloth and ashes.  No one was more surprises than Jonah ... but, then again, God is unrelenting.

     There was a guy named Francis whose life was laid out for him, yet he was being called to embrace "Lady Poverty".  Remarkable as his transformation was from a inept soldier to a poor troubadour, Francis was in for a bigger challenge.  He heard the Lord speak to him and challenge him to "go and repair my house which, as you see, is falling into ruin."  When God spoke, he was praying in the abandoned church of San Damiano, so he thought that this was the house in ruin.  But the task was to rebuild the whole Church.  He was a kid from the little town of Assisi.  What could he do?

     We know what he did.  This spiritual movement caught fire and renewed the face of the earth.  Francis the obscure became Francis the beloved, not only in Assisi but throughout the world.  That work of renewal continues, since the Church continues at time to cling to ruin.

     On this feast of Saint Francis, I wish you the joyful spirit, the simple trust, the humble service of the one who modeled Christ for us.

     This morning I celebrated around the Table of the Lord; I rejoiced in the life of a parishioner whose credentials were extremely impressive but whose life was lived simply and in the spirit of peace, a man whose interesting life reflected the gospel message - Dan Bolef - in a service of celebration of his life at the time of his death; and this evening at six I will bless pets in the spirit of Francis of Assisi.

     I have included a few pictures of a trip years ago to Assisi.  Except for the hills (especially for one out of shape) it is a beautiful, charming 11/12th century town in the foothills of Central Italy.

     If memory serves me, the first picture is of the Basilica of Saint Francis.  His tomb is in the crypt of this church.  Next is the square in front of the Basilica of Saint Clare, where she is buried.  Thirdly is a view of the Benedictine Church in the lower city.  The "Pizzeria" sign stands opposite what is said to be Francis' home as a boy.  The next is a view of the road into town followed by a view of the architecture of the town.  What a wonderful place!