Today, we remember St. Francis of Assisi. He is one saint who is revered even by non-Catholics—and even non-Christians. His Prayer for Peace is a universal classic. He is so loved because he is so simple and pure. He even talked to animals and considered nature—the sun, moon, wind, and earth—as his brothers and sisters. No wonder he was called a “fool” for leaving everything of this world to live a simple life serving God.

Weren’t we like this when we were children? We treated everyone and everything as God’s beautiful creation! Then we grew up and complicated our life, our world. We became “wiser and learned.” And look what happened to us and to the world!

May we begin to see things again with eyes like children . . . or like “simple fools” for the Lord, like Saint Francis. 

Alvin Barcelona (apb_ayo@yahoo.com) 

reflect

Today, try not to overthink and be too smart. Live as simple as possible and re-live the child in you. Be simply awed at life, at the world, and with God.

Dear God, You see me and love me as Your child. Grant me the grace to be simply that as I pray . . . Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace . . .” (say the Prayer for Peace of Saint Francis).

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us.

First Reading | Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29

Saint Francis, whom we celebrate today, is known as a “free spirit.” This is only partially true, as his freedom is rooted in his heart which has been totally captured by the love of God. It is God’s love that gives Saint Francis the strength and capacity to live his life the way he did—with freedom and love. Today, let us reflect on his joyous nature and pray that it inspires us.

⁵ Fear not, my people! Remember, Israel, ⁶ You were sold to the nations not for your destruction; it was because you angered God that you were handed over to your foes. ⁷ For you provoked your Maker with sacrifices to demons, to no-gods; ⁸ you forsook the Eternal God who nourished you, and you grieved Jerusalem who fostered you. ⁹ She indeed saw coming upon you the anger of God; and she said: “Hear, you neighbors of Zion! God has brought great mourning upon me, ¹⁰ For I have seen the captivity that the Eternal God has brought upon my sons and daughters. ¹¹ With joy I fostered them; but with mourning and lament I let them go. ¹² Let no one gloat over me, a widow, bereft of many: For the sins of my children I am left desolate, because they turned from the law of God. ²⁷ “Fear not, my children; call out to God! He who brought this upon you will remember you. ²⁸ As your hearts have been disposed to stray from God, turn now ten times the more to seek him; 29 For he who has brought disaster upon you will, in saving you, bring you back enduring joy.”

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 69:33-35, 36-37

R: The Lord listens to the poor.

³³ “See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, may your hearts revive! 34 For the Lord hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not. ³⁵ Let the heavens and the earth praise him, the seas and whatever moves in them!” (R) ³⁶ For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. They shall dwell in the land and own it, ³⁷ and the descendants of his servants shall inherit it, and those who love his name shall inhabit it. (R)

Gospel | Luke 10:17-24

The seventy-two rejoice in ministering in the name of Jesus. All that they have achieved comes from the power and grace of God, which they use in their ministries. The same can be true for us if we are willing to place our lives under the Holy Spirit. Each day, let us live out the gifts that God has given us so as to be authentic witnesses of His love to the world. 

Gospel Acclamation 

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

¹⁷ The seventy-two returned rejoicing, and said to Jesus, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” ¹⁸ Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. ¹⁹ Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. ²⁰ Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” ²¹ 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. ²² 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.” ²³ Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. ²⁴ For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”

Read the Bible in one year! Read DANIEL 13 - 14 today.

True Source of Joy

The Gospel depicts the utmost satisfaction of the disciples as they returned from their mission where they were able to perform miracles and drive out demons, just like Jesus did. These were the same disciples who lacked confidence and were scared in the beginning of their mission, but now, they took pride in being God’s instruments of mercy and grace. However, Jesus also told them to not take joy in their own successes, but continuously dispose themselves to God’s providence, for with humility, simplicity, and a childlike disposition, they could experience joy in its purest and truest sense.

This is exactly what happened to St. Francis of Assisi, who came from a wealthy family but went through conversion and, later on, renounced his worldly self. He was a worldly man who used to live in extravagance, but he had significant experiences during the war that made him realize the reality of suffering and slowly awakened his consciousness to the realities of the world. Thus, from a life of affluence, he lived a life of simplicity and even poverty in order to follow the life and path of Jesus.

When Saint Francis renounced his family and his belongings, he began to experience real happiness and contentment in his heart. His detachment from the material world made him gain more because he began to look at things from the eyes and heart of God. And because he was no longer attached to anything, he could then love everything.

Just like Saint Francis’ story of conversion, the Gospel tells us that God’s presence in our lives is enough, and that the true source of our joy and contentment is God and God alone. 

Fr. Jason Laguerta 

erflection question

What blessings have you received and experienced in order for you to say that Jesus is indeed the fulfillment of your joy? 

Lord, may I embrace life like Saint Francis did—that is, full of humility and total dependence on Your providence. May I see the world not as a worldly human being; instead, may I see God’s face in everything. Amen.

Today, I pray for: _____________________________________