occur in a single day, and to view those in our lives as messengers of a greater
love, can bring us nearer to profound peace. It is within our grasp, if we can
regularly put aside all the machinations that can take over a life.
The feast day of St. Francis offers another opportunity to reflect a minute longer.
Yes, St. Francis evokes images of animals and of the stigmata. Just as impor-
tantly, however, he concentrated on doing daily deeds as a way of connecting to
God. He not only gave us beautiful prayers, but also a reminder to “preach the
Gospel, and when necessary, use words.” It is in our normal routines that we
can live out the Gospel. It is a symbiotic relationship. We give, we receive; we
help, we are helped. It is even richer than that, although it is wonderful to add to
the world in a positive way by sharing our talents. Our daily lives, if we stop even
briefly, can allow us to continue that quest to move closer to a deeper relation-
ship to God—an ever-transforming union of the human with the divine. With
Yahweh, we can create our own Redemption Song, our song of freedom.
Prayer
Lord, grant that I may be able to remember St. Francis of Assisi’s call to pour out
myself for others as another way of reaching you. Please help me put aside all
anxieties, as Mary did, so that I can hear you. Let me recall the strength of Mar-
tha, too, in using her voice to ask for help, so that I may grow in knowing you.
Amen.
_______
Judith Hamilton-Márquez, Ph.D.,
RCIA Dismissal Ministry