HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSIS
HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSIS
By: Fr Deotacious Chikontwe SMA
THEME OF THE HOMILY: ‘I will follow you wherever you go’
READINGS OF THE DAY
Nehemiah 2:1-8
Psalm 136:1-6
Luke 9:57-62
LITURGICAL COLOUR: WHITE
INTRODUCTION
Today, we celebrate the Feast of Saint Francis whose life and actions should be great source of inspiration for many of us, in how we ourselves should commit ourselves to the Lord, and in doing our best to live worthily in the path that the Lord has set before us.
WHO WAS SAINT FRANCIS?
St. Francis of Assisi, born as Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, the son of rich merchant Pietro di Bernardone, who was also known as Francis or Francesco because of his father’s liking for the French and all of his businesses there. St. Francis of Assisi’s father desired his son to be a successful businessman and merchant just as he was, and hoped that he would continue carrying on the family legacy and properties. Thus, he was brought up in great riches and wealth, and lived a lavish lifestyle, full of hedonism and waste..
FROM OUR FIRST READING
We heard in our first reading, how Nehemiah longed for his homeland and was moved to help rebuild the cities of Israel and also the Temple and House of God. Nehemiah had a really good life and enjoyed great favours of the King, and he could have continued to live in great abundance and comfort, without any worries or hardships if he so chose to do. However, in his heart, he has that strong longing for the Lord and for his homeland, as he was called to go there and do his part in the rebuilding efforts and to reestablish God’s House and city.
ALSO RECOMMENDED: HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSIS
ABOUT THE GOSPEL READING OF TODAY
In today’s gospel reading three people show their willingness to become followers of Jesus, physically walking with him wherever he leads. However, the first one seems to lack an awareness of what in involved. The other two claim they have some important duties to attend to first at home. You would have thought that burying one’s father was indeed an important duty. However, the question implies that the man’s father is still alive and he is asking to wait at home until his father dies so that he can bury him, whenever that might happen. Jesus’ call to this man was too urgent for such an indefinite wait.
CONCLUSION
Jesus’ call to this man was too urgent for such an indefinite wait. Jesus does not prevent the other person from saying goodbye to his family but warns him that following him requires a clear focus, without constantly looking back over one’s shoulder to what has been left behind. This is one of probably several gospel texts that can seem very challenging to our ears. Jesus seems to be so demanding. Yet, following him, becoming and remaining his disciple, whatever form it takes, in whatever age, is demanding. It is never going to be an easy or a soft option. Jesus does demand a level of allegiance to himself that is greater than the allegiance owed to family, even though it is not in any sense incompatible with our family allegiances. There may come a time when our fidelity to the values of the gospel will put us at odds with those closest to us. Today’s gospel reading brings home to us that walking in the way of the Lord is a serious business.
BLESSINGS OF THE DAY
May the Lord continue to bless us and guide us all in all things, and help us so that we may always be ever inspired to live our lives each day ever more worthily, now and always, Saint Francis of Assisi pray for us sinners.
FOR SIMILAR HOMILY, CLICK HERE >>>>>
