St. Francis is an incredibly popular saint. What’s not to love?!

He is the one with all the animals, after all.

But he is so much more than that.

He was an arrogant, rich young man who gave away all that he had to take up a life of simplicity and poverty. What an example for a world that can be so obsessed with wealth and status!

During the crusades, he visited the Sultan Malik al-Kamil in Egypt. Each left the encounter changed, with deep respect for the other. What an example for a world deeply divided, where inter-faith dialogue and relations can feel strained or impossible!

He began a spiritual community rooted in humility, service, preaching, peace and prayer. The Friars Minor continue to be a force for good in the Church and world to this day. What an example in a world that can be so self-centred and individualistic!

But today, I want to highlight a story and insight from early in his ministry (one of my favourites!)  

One day, when Francis was sitting in one of the derelict churches that dotted the Italian countryside, he heard a message, which he believed was from God. “Rebuild my Church.” So, he did. He began to fix up the crumbling church buildings that he saw all around him.

Ultimately, he came to realize that the call to ‘rebuild my Church’ was more than just about buildings. It was a spiritual rebuilding. In the face of a Church that was obsessed with opulence, power, war and control, Francis, and his movement, reminded the Church that at the heart of the Christian faith was the Way of the humble carpenter from Nazareth.

At St. John’s, we have just piled a bunch of resources into our hall and kitchen renovation. That is very good. It is good to have the cracks filled, the floor leveled, the place looking bright, light and new. We have done some rebuilding in a part of our building that needed some love.

However, looking to the example of Francis, let us remember that the building is not the ultimate point. The hall, the kitchen, the sanctuary is nothing more than a tool for God’s mission and ministry through us, the Church, the beloved community, in this place.

As much as our space needed rebuilding, we ourselves need rebuilding even more, to better remember who and what is at the heart of our faith. Through study, prayer, worship, fellowship, acts of mercy, service and peace-making, may we find ourselves evermore closely following in the humble footsteps of Jesus, and find ourselves in the glorious company of Francis and all the saints in light.

Thanks be to God!

CG+