The Finer Things

~~~ Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi ~~~

~~~ Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17 ~~~ Psalm 119 ~~~ Luke 10:17-24 ~~~

...do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you,
but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.

Wow! Rejoice because your name is written in heaven.
Have you ever really let those words mean something to you?
Do you believe your name is written somewhere in heaven?
How does one rejoice with such knowledge?

Perhaps all we need do is follow the example of Job.
I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be hindered.

Saint Francis came to this same realization in his own life.
God was patient because at first Francis did not clearly
 understand the true meaning of his words.
Eventually Francis came to see God wanted him
 to rebuild his church from the inside out...with the people...God's people.
Francis grew up in a very wealthy family.
His life was filled with the finer things life had to offer,
but God had his own plans for Francis...
plans to use him for the good and holiness of his church.

Lord, let your face shine on me.

Francis was a very likable person and a natural born leader.
In his youth Francis lived his life like many of our celebrities do today.
Maybe you could say Francis was spoiled.
Francis had aspirations of becoming a noble, but never of being holy.
God used his natural good qualities directing them in another direction.

God works with you and me in the same manner.
He looks at us and lovingly puts our
good qualities to work building his kingdom.

For Francis it was the face of a leper
 that finalized his conversion of heart.
God chose to use the face of a deformed diseased man
 to shine into the heart of Francis.

Lord, let your face shine on me.

Who's face will God use to shine on you today?
Keep alert. You may only get one chance to see the shine.
~~~Peace~~~