Heeding God’s Voice

by Joyce Rupp on Oct. 01, 2010

Oct. 4: Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

We did not listen to the voice of the Lord our God in all the words of the prophets whom he sent to us...
Baruch 1:21

Reflection

What would cause a young man from a wealthy family to give up all that he owned, including his own luxurious clothes? Falling in love could have that effect. It did on Francis of Assisi. He fell in love with God.

St. Francis of Assisi is depicted with the stigmata, or wounds of Jesus, in a painting located at the Franciscan convent in La Verna, Italy. In 1224 St. Francis retired to La Verna with three companions. While praying on the mountainside he had a vision, then the five wounds of Christ appeared on his body. Brother Leo, one of his companions present at the time, left an account of the incident. (CNS/Octavio Duran)St. Francis of Assisi is depicted with the stigmata, or wounds of Jesus, in a painting located at the Franciscan convent in La Verna, Italy. In 1224 St. Francis retired to La Verna with three companions. While praying on the mountainside he had a vision, then the five wounds of Christ appeared on his body. Brother Leo, one of his companions present at the time, left an account of the incident. (CNS/Octavio Duran)Francis learned to listen to the voice of God through the insights and intuitions deep within himself.

When God called, Francis responded by taking great risks. He chose to center his life on the One whom he loved, and he was willing to give up all his security to do it.

Francis challenged the people of his time to life a simple life without greed. He encouraged them to love the earth and her creatures and to reverence God in one another.

As we celebrate the feast of this saint today, let us ask ourselves: Have I heeded the voice of God in my life? Have I listened to God’s prophet Francis? How much of this saint’s challenge is a part of my life today? Are there ways I can live more simply, more deeply and more freely?

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Prayer

God of love,
in a nation of consumerism and greed,
grant me the courage to hear your voice
and to shed whatever keeps me
from following you faithfully.

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