Our saint for today: Francis de Sales was born at Savoy in 1567. After being ordained a priest he labored diligently for the restoration of Catholicism in his country. Chosen bishop of Geneva, he showed himself as a true pastor toward his clerics and the faithful, strengthening their faith by his writings, works and example. He died at Lyons on December 28, 1622, and was buried at Annecy on this day.
Francis de Sales encouraged all of the faithful – of whatever state or vocation in life that they found themselves in to strive for perfection! In his "Introduction to the Devout Life" he writes: "When God the Creator made all things, he commanded the plants to bring forth fruit each according to its own kind; he has likewise commanded Christians, who are the living plants of his Church, to bring forth the fruit of devotion: [perfection], each one in accord with his character, his station and his calling."
The first reading today tells us that the ways of perfection were to be preached to the Gentiles: Francis was but carrying out this command of the Lord. And in the gospel passage we see Jesus telling us all of the essence of the message to be preached: the perfection to be sought after: i.e. love, as God loves, as was demonstrated by Jesus' offering of life his for us – and our salvation!
Jesus says that the proof of love is to lay down one's life for one's friends. But even when we were still enemies of God, he laid down his life for us – just precisely so that we could become friends of God again! And so we are friends again of God – by our baptism! And so we each are commissioned, again by our baptism, to share that friendship – Christ's redemptive friendship – with all we meet each day!
This is the only sure remedy for turning the tides of ungodliness that still is found in the world today! Remaining in the love (friendship) of God – has enormous power in and through those committed to it!
May we resolve to be committed instruments of God's love and friendship today: as was St. Francis de Sales.
The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom: and all can discern its truth with the help of the Holy Spirit!
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