Today in the book In Caelo et in Terra, we read about a saint who was instrumental in my becoming Catholic. St Francis of Assisi was a care-free knight in the early part of his life. Then he was arrested and thrown in prison for a year, which sobered him up and caused him to seek a deeper meaning to life.
God called him, too. He told him to rebuild His church. Francis took this literally at first, and was doing maintenance and construction on a nearby church building, until God gave him the bigger picture. He started living a life of radical poverty and simplicity. He fell in love with God's creation in nature, and was even found preaching to animals. After ten years of living simply and sharing the good news of God's love, he had over 5,000 followers. A young lady from a nearby town named Clare also followed him, and started an order called the Poor Clares.
Francis also received the stigmata, and might be the first person to do so. He is the first person recorded in history as receiving these signs. When he found out that his illness was going to take his life, he remarked with characteristic love and enthusiasm, "Welcome, sister death!" You can read more about him here.
How is God calling you to heal the church today? What else might He be calling you to do, that maybe He's never called anyone else to before?
God, thanks for this wonderful man who was full of joy. St Francis of Assisi, pray for us.
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