Blessed Are Eyes That See

October 4, 2008

Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi, religious

I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be hindered. I have dealt with great things that I do not understand; things too wonderful for me, which I cannot know. I had heard of you by word of mouth, but now my eye has seen you. Therefore I disown what I have said, and repent in dust and ashes. Job 42:2-6

At that very moment he rejoiced (in) the holy Spirit and said, "I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him." Turning to the disciples in private he said, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. Luke 10: 21-23

Piety

Oh God, you are the only Lord of our life, our heart and our destiny. Free us from the false lords that deceive us with their promises, for they bring neither life nor peace. Give us strength to resist and to seek peace through justice and the humble service of all.

Lord, remove all the obstacles hindering us along the way of your peace – envy, fear of death, and forgetfulness of your presence – by re-connecting all beings. Strengthen in us the energies of love, collaboration, and acceptance so that lasting peace may flourish among us.

Lord, make us builders of an order that is guided by the justice and cordiality that can bring peace to the world. Give us a sense of dynamic equilibrium so your peace may be in our intentions, in the means we use, and in the ends for which we yearn.

Lord, make us instruments of your peace as we seek to live in peace with ourselves, with the community closest to us, with others in our unequal society, and in the midst of the worst conflicts. May we be able to strive to bear tensions and contradictions, seeking to maintain communion with all creatures and making your peace visible.

(From The Prayer of St. Francis: A Message of Peace for the World Today by Leonardo Boff)

Study

Saint Francis has been travelling with me this year. Ever since Beth, Sarah and I visited him on Good Friday 2008, he has been at my side doing big things and little things. Making me not worry about missing my flight home while we raced through the airport in Germany. Protecting me from anger and envy when we got home to find the first level of our house flooded due to a broken hot water heater. Sending in some marvelous workers to clean up everything. Guiding my journey all along the way so I would not fall off his path. Warding off anxiety at every turn. Opening new paths where doors were closed in the past.

Imagine going there today on his feast. When you arrived at the crypt church under the Lower Basilica at the Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi, leave your anger and fatigue at the door. It was a long (and early) train ride from Florence. Then a long walk down and up and down the hills of Assisi. Francis did this every day. How many other pilgrims and tourists would be flooding this holy city, this holy ground? Rick Steves can describe the city and the cathedral. But Francis wants us to have more than “book knowledge.” The guide books will tell you that Brother Sun’s “ancient stone coffin with iron ties is enshrined in an open space above the altar. In 1934 his most faithful brothers were entombed in the corners of the wall around the altar: brother Rufino, brother Angelo, brother Masseo and brother Leone.” But the books will not allow you to experience the spirit of Francis nor to take it with you.

Descending down the steps from the Lower Basilica, you are struck by the darkness and the faint lights and candles illuminating the pilgrims lined up to pray to and praise this humble man-saint. The creaky wooden pews support a constant flow of sojourners offering petitions that ascend from this holy ground to the heavens. Where there is exhaustion, they sow comfort.

Eager for a closer encounter, the people line up with you, moving Francis-ward slowly until they encircle the tomb seeking the sacrament of his presence. New companions joining with his ancient circle of friends. All the while they focus on the monk in the middle while his faithful friends look on in an eternal, restful, peaceful watch from each dark corner. The human compass of Brother Rufino, Brother Angelo, Brother Masseo, and Brother Leone watch over their confrere and guests from the four corners of the chapel in a perpetual Group Reunion. The pilgrims look onward and inward, inspired by their presence on this holy ground.

Eight hundred years ago, the original group helped Francis to start the Order of Friars Minor. Today, they help him intercede with the praise and petitions of the constant stream of visitors.

As you leave, you pause, not wanting to part. So you turn back toward the altar, looking upon the crypt one more time. Gently bowing, leaving your anxiety behind and praying…make me a channel of your peace.

Action

Being a channel means we must first to allow ourselves to be emptied so that we can then be filled with peace in order to share His peace.

It was a mere 803 years ago that Francis gazed upon the cross in the San Damiano Chapel. God spoke to him saying, “Go, Francis, and repair my Church which, as you see, is falling into ruin.” Francis became the channel to bring peace and healing and wholeness back to the Church.

At first Francis misunderstood and proceeded to physically repair only the San Damiano Chapel, where this crucifix was located. Eventually his acts of poverty, humility and charity brought about spiritual repairs to the entire Catholic Church.

Those repairs must continue today. That is why we must continue to allow ourselves to be the channel for that peace and reconciliation to flow on in the fullness of time. While Rufino, Angelo, Masseo and Leone helped Francis in 1205, now it is our turn to take up this mission.

According to the Rule of St. Francis, “The rule and life of the Minor Brothers is this, namely, to observe the holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by living in obedience, without property and in chastity.” How can you continue to allow your channel to be filled with the peace of Francis and Jesus? How can you channel that peace throughout the world? Let us pray today to be open to the peace, filled with the peace, and then freely share the peace with others.