Tuesday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

Respect Life Month

Saint: Saint Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:49-54 Humility

Mass: Gal 1:13-24; Resp Ps 139; Lk 10:38-42

You know when I sit and when I stand.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

SAINT JOSEPH, DEFENDER OF LIFE,

PRAY FOR US.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God.

(Communion Antiphon, Mass)

Raise your hand if you have had or do have a statue of Saint Francis in your yard. There just might be more than a few hands raised. Certainly popular, Saint Francis of Assisi has been called "the most beloved saint of the Western world." There is more to this cherished saint then meets the eye, however. Wander the streets of Assisi and explore the Umbrian countryside and you will see. We turn to Saint Francis today, and ask him to intercede for us, so that we become meek and humble of heart.

Auguri e buon onomastico Papa Francesco! We extend congratulations to Pope Francis on his name day. May il Poverello intercede for the Holy Father.

I very much understand the outbursts of those saints who shouted in the name of Christ through streets and plazas, and I don't know how they didn't go crazy when they realized that people weren't listening to them ... I very much understand why Saint Francis preached to the fish and the birds.

(Rafael Arnaiz in The Collected Works: Saint Rafael Arnaiz, p. 180)

GOD'S ADMIRATION

God's admiration for us is infinitely greater

than anything we can conjure up

for Him.*

HUMILITY AND COMPASSION

Can true humility and compassion exist in our words and eyes

unless we know we too are capable of

any act?*

IN ALL THINGS

It was easy to love God in all that

was beautiful.

The lessons of deeper knowledge, though, instructed me

to embrace God in all

things.*

THE RESULT OF PRAYER

The result of prayer is life.

Prayer irrigates the 

earth and

heart.*

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI,

PRAY FOR US.

*Saint Francis of Assisi in Love Poems from God: Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and West, renderings by Daniel Ladinsky (Penguin, 2002), pp. 49, 37, 52, 54.

Today's photo: Saint Francis of Assisi did preach to the birds after all. 🐦 With all my ways you are familiar.

© Gertrude Feick 2022