Today’s feast focuses our attention on repentance and conversion of life. It reminds us that the Franciscan way of life began as a band of men came together with St. Francis of Assisi to do penance for their sins. All of the biographies of St. Francis, whether they were written in the 13th century or in the 20th and 21st centuries, remind us that St. Francis adopted the lifestyle of a penitent beggar. Two years before his death, Francis was still concerned that God may not have forgiven him for his youthful indiscretions and excesses.
Franciscans are fond of pointing out the fact that our Rule of Life is the Gospel. We should also remind ourselves that the very first words of the Gospel are “Repent.” The Gospel is not about perfection; it is about conversion. Through the preaching of Jesus, especially through the parables, we are reminded that what God desires is our conversion.
St. Margaret of Cortona is one of many examples of people who had lost their way and were recalled to a right relationship with God. Margaret was living with a man who was not her husband and had a child with that man. One day, his dog led Margaret into the woods where she discovered the man’s body. He had been murdered. His sudden death made her realize that she too could die at any moment. The time for conversion was now. It could not be put off until tomorrow because no one is guaranteed a tomorrow.
St. Margaret of Cortona also teaches us not to trivialize our sins. We might be tempted to compare our sins to those of others. That comparison might lead us to think that, all things considered, I am a pretty good person. The problem here is that we will not be able to use the sins of others to justify ourselves when we stand before God. Then it will be a matter of whether I recognize how much God loves me and how little love I have displayed for God. When comparing our love to God’s, all of us come out looking rather shabby.
As we come to the Eucharist today, let us never forget that Jesus died that we might life. He has borne our guilt. The only fitting response to his sacrifice is to embrace the Gospel which calls us to repentance.
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator