Francis by Patrick J. Marrin for October 22, 2024

Brother Sun and Sister Moon

I now do see you, I can hear your tune

So much in love with all that I survey.

[ Donovan, from Franco Zeffirelli’s movie about St. Francis. ]

Was that a trip to 1222?

I notice that the stigmata appear on Francis’ hands and feet.

Dante said that Lady Poverty’s first spouse was Jesus, but she was alone for 1200 years until Francis came along.

They need us most.

amen

I’m not at all sure that the church is the answer to the world’s, and the poor’s, problem. Unless they need a place to put their extra money.

That would scare the hell out of you.

As a deacon, my wife got assigned to a “mission church.” We operate out of a converted garage in what used to be a residential house that is literally on the other side of the tracks from where I live.

On Tuesday nights we have a community dinner. We get all kinds of people showing up including those who can barely make it and some homeless. I would never have gotten to meet these people if it were not for my association with the church.

I’m the wealthy guy in the crowd when it comes to counting things in terms of dollars and cents, yet I leave every dinner feeling richer than when I walked in. I am glad that I am accepted by this community. Among them are broken and troubled people, but also a strong sense of love and concern for one another.

There is more of the Kingdom of Heaven in that garage on Tuesday night than there is in all of the churches in town on Sunday morning.

Did he leave any parting comments about ordaining women?: