So much is broken! So much destroyed! We lament damaged buildings and loss of treasures beyond price. (We feel part of ourselves to be lost with them.) It is a terrifying thought that we may do more harm to ultimate values than any earthquake.
Francis still comes to us as a messenger of peace and the humble ambassador of God's pardon. Boldly the Seraph of Assisi asks full forgiveness for all who sincerely repent and who now accept the Gospel which gave shape and definition to every day in Francis's own life. The beautiful Portiuncula ("tiny portion") Chapel draws pilgrims from across the world each day even now as the shadows lengthen and the evening air is chill and the leaves of Umbria begin to fall. This sacred place of renewal offers a clear lifegiving call. It is the prayer of Francis for us all. If we turn away from folly, reject our self-selected evils, and with sincerity (shown in action), accept the Gospel, then for us the healing, pardon and peace for which our hearts cry out will readily be granted.
The sacrament of reconciliation received in love and generous renewal opens the gateway to valid sharing in the life-giving sacrament of the Eucharist. We then, with the disciples in Emmaus and with Francis in Assisi, will recognise Christ in the breaking of the bread and see him, in scripture story, with eyes and heart made new.
The feast of Francis asks for nothing less than total renewal. We hear his farewell words: "I have done my part. Now let each of you do yours!" To every one of us comes the call: "Go! Re-build my church!" In our personal lives there may have been moral earthquakes in which treasures were damaged or destroyed. St Francis is no "Saint of Sentimental Song" nor is he a messenger of easy options. We may forget that while ever gentle, compassionate and kind, he is, like his friend St Dominic, an apostle of conversion and of truth. As this century ends Christ's call comes anew through Francis: "Everyone who is of the truth .. . listens to my voice!"
The pilgrim can still move prayerfully among the remaining masterpieces of Assisi. We see Francis as the rich, gifted and popular young man. At Gospel call he reached out to the leper, the sick, the needy and the sad. He called for an end to senseless extravagance, to the folly of wasted wealth, and to all forms of violence and of hate. He awakened us at Greccio to our hope of peace in the much loved Christmas crib. Christ marked his total self-giving by granting him the pain-filled privilege of his own sacred wounds when he marked him on Alvernia's height with the stigmata of Calvary.
Larks are forever known as birds of the morning sun and lovers of the light. On this evening of so many memories they gathered in the gloaming and sang for Francis in the setting sun. Could this be his farewell reminder to work while it still is day? To walk in the Light of Christ? How about our inner eye? Our deeper vision? Is the world around us, as it was for Francis, the multi-coloured picture book of God? Can we love and readily forgive people and revere animals as precious gifts from God? We could begin today.
He calls to us now as we join in his oft-repeated daily prayer: "O God, be merciful to me a sinner." He reminds us that we are a pilgrim people on a once-made journey, weak, fickle and all too often journey-stained. He lifts us up, gives new courage and fresh hope. He inspires us to join the disciples in the upper room with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, to await the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We go our way through all darkness and all pain to the light and peace of Resurrection Joy.
May the Lord bless us and keep us.
May the Lord show his face to us
And have mercy on us.
May the Lord turn his countenance to us
and give us His Peace!
Pax et Bonum ... Alleluia!