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Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi, religious
Job 19:21-27
Psalm 27:7-8a, 8b-9abc,13-14
Luke 10:1-12
S
UMMARY
In a somewhat prophetic, urgent voice, knowing the divine importance
of his message, Job, in his earthly suffering and longing for God,
speaks of someone who will come to vindicate and reveal God˅s
presence. Wisdom speaks again through the psalmist, who, in long-
ing for God˅s presence, acknowledges that the faithful are bestowed
with the life-giving presence of the Lord. Similar to Job˅s dire mes-
sage, Jesus impresses urgency upon the first disciples who are called
to leave everything behind to bring the good news of God˅s kingdom
at hand.
R
EFLECTION
Today, on this memorial of St. Francis of Assisi, after reading the
gospel, I am reminded of the story of the miracle of St. Francis and
how he tamed the fierce wolf of Gubbio. Jesus, in appointing seventy
-two disciples, warns, ˈGo on your way; behold, I am sending you
like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals
and greet no one along the wayˎInto whatever house you enter, first
say, ˄Peace to this household.˅ˉ Interestingly, St. Francis of Assissi,
who came of age during the brutality of the Crusades, realized his
radical message of peace ˀ as Jesus calls the disciples to spread in
this Gospel reading ˀ would fall upon deaf ears. Francis was a lamb
among wolves himself, much like the early Christians. Interestingly,
Francis with rope around his waist, embodied the disciple Jesus
summoned, a disciple who left money behind (belts stored money in