Today, we celebrate the Feast of All the Saints of the Franciscan Order. As we sing the praises of these holy men and women, we are reminded of the many ways they have lived out their faith in service to God and to others.
In our first reading from Sirach, we are told that the righteous deeds of our ancestors have not been forgotten, and their wealth and inheritance have been passed down to their descendants. We can think of many examples of Franciscan saints who have lived out this same spirit of generosity and service which has now been passed on to us as sources of inspiration and illumination along our own journeys.
St. Francis himself, for example, was a wealthy young man who gave away his possessions to follow Christ. He believed that true wealth was not in material goods, but in living a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience to God's will.
Another example is St. Clare, who lived a life of poverty and prayer having been born from the charism of Saint Francis who interacted with all and inspired all, even the women back in his day, to radically embrace the gospel message of our Lord within the Second Order he eventually would found. Despite her own wealth and privilege, Saint Claire chose to give it all up to follow Christ more closely after being inspired by her contemporary, Saint Francis. Saint Anthony of Padua, known for his powerful preaching, also renounced his affluent lifestyle to become a Franciscan, passionately spreading the Gospel and caring for the poor. Saint Bonaventure, a renowned theologian and Cardinal, recognized the call to embrace humility and simplicity, using his vast intellect to deepen the understanding of the Franciscan ideal. Saint Maximilian Kolbe, too, embodied the Franciscan spirit by giving everything, including his life, in love and sacrifice during World War II. Together, these saints and many others, reflect the transformative power of relinquishing worldly attachments to fully embrace the call of Jesus.
In our Gospel reading, we hear the story of a rich young man who comes to Jesus asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus tells him that he lacks one thing: he must be willing to give up his wealth and follow Him. This is a powerful reminder that true treasure is not found in material possessions, but in following Jesus and serving others.
As we celebrate the lives of these Franciscan saints, we are called to reflect on our own relationship with material possessions. Are we holding onto things too tightly, or are we willing to let go and follow Christ? Are we using our resources to serve others, or are we hoarding them for ourselves?
As we pray for the intercession of these holy men and women, let us ask for their courage and generosity in living out our own faith. May we be inspired by their examples to live more simply, to serve more generously, and to follow Jesus more closely.
Let us also pray for the Franciscan Order, that they may continue to be a beacon of hope and light in the world. May their example inspire us all to live out our faith with greater joy, greater love, and greater generosity.
May God bless us all, now and forevermore. Amen.
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