Dear brothers and sisters, today's readings speak to us of restoration, renewal, and the importance of embracing change. The prophet Amos reminds us that God is a God of restoration, who will rebuild and revitalize his people Israel, restoring their fortunes and bringing them back to their homeland. This is a powerful reminder that God is always at work, even in the darkest of times, seeking to bring life and hope to his people.
As we reflect on this reading, I am reminded of the life of our founder, Saint Francis of Assisi, who embodied this spirit of restoration and renewal. Francis, a young man from a wealthy family, renounced his inheritance and devoted his life to following Christ. He saw the brokenness around him and a world in need of healing, and he responded with compassion and love. He rebuilt old, abandoned churches, cared for lepers, and preached to animals. One of those churches was dedicated to Saint Damian, and having gone inside and knelt in prayer, this is where he heard the Lord’s voice from the Crucifix say to him, “Francis, as you see, my church is falling to ruins. Go and rebuild it.” Little did he know that our Lord meant the Universal Church, and not just that tiny little chapel which was deteriorating before his eyes. This absence of the Lord, not on his part, but on the part of those who were called to be his
presence in the world, can only be remedied or responded to with penance and as we know, Francis was a huge proponent of this instruction of the Lord: to fast and pray.
In the Gospel reading, Jesus tells us that when the bridegroom is taken away, then we will fast. But why do we need to fast? It's because the presence of the bridegroom is what gives our lives meaning and purpose and in our renunciation of material comfort, we learn to depend more on the providence that comes from on high. Without him, we are left feeling empty and hollow, even if we possess or gain the entire world. “What does it profit a man, that he gain the whole world, but lose his soul?” Francis knew this truth intimately. He spent much of his life in the allurements and emptiness of material wealth, but then responded to God’s grace and began leading a life of prayer and contemplation, seeking the presence of God in his daily life. And it was this deep connection with God that gave him the strength and courage to live a life of radical obedience, yes, but also a life that was full, happy, and so very fruitful for the building of the Kingdom of God, and that Church which was crumbling in his time.
But what does this have to do with us? How can we apply all this to our own lives? The answer lies in our willingness to let go of our own attachments and desires and trust more in God’s love and providence. We are often like the old wineskins, clinging to our old ways and habits, refusing to let go of what is familiar. But Jesus tells us in today’s gospel, that new wine requires new wineskins. We must be willing to let go of our old selves and trust in God's plan for our lives.
This can be scary, my friends. It requires trust and faith that God knows what is best for us. But when we let go and surrender ourselves to God's will, we open ourselves up to a life of true freedom and joy.
As we continue on our own journey of faith, may we be like Francis, who saw the world as broken but chose to respond with love and compassion by first of all, allowing the Lord to fix the brokenness in his own heart. How many times does the Lord wait for us in the confessional, so as to mend our hearts, and restore our spirits?
May we be willing to let go of our old ways and trust in God's plan for our lives. And may we always remember that God is a God of restoration, who doesn’t annihilate, but transforms into the better, which eventually, he will make the best, in heaven… where all things are perfect: no more tears, no more pain, no more death. Praised be Jesus, now and forever. Amen.
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