Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi

Saint Francis is my Confirmation Saint. I honestly do not remember why I chose him at the time, but I often think that perhaps he chose me. Not only did one of my sons choose him as his Confirmation Saint, but my Spiritual Director did as well. And now that my monthly reflection falls on his Feast Day, I wonder: what can I learn from him today?

You are my inheritance, O Lord. O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
You, it is who hold fast my lot (Psalm 16:5, Responsorial Psalm)

Most of us are familiar with the story of how Saint Francis renounced his earthly inheritance to embrace his beloved Lady Poverty.

And for their labor, they may receive all necessary things, except money. (First Rule of the Friars Minor, part 7)

What a beautiful safety net against the temptation to place money as an end. Saint Peter Julian also understood that poverty is a necessary virtue for all of us.

Our Lord is in the Blessed Sacrament for everyone, for us to consult him, as we see him practicing all the virtues: humility, poverty. He brings nothing from heaven; he is poor. He brings only his love and himself. And he agrees to accept our gifts. (Saint Peter Julian Eymard, November 28, 1867 – PP 44)

For those of us out in the world, money is a necessity we cannot escape. The key is to remember that it is a means to an end, never an end in itself. We place all our needs in the hands of God’s Divine Providence and trust that He will provide for all our needs.

Whether it is in sickness or in health, for richer or for poorer, we are his forever.

You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Let us pray:

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom. (Matthew 11:25 – Gospel Acclamation)