Clare of Assisi was, like Francis, born of a noble family – and she like Francis was called to a life of total commitment to the Lord by means of renouncing all possessions and finding Christ where he said he would be found: in the poor, in the suffering, in the sick, in the very least of his brothers and sisters.
Our first reading today from the Letter of Paul to the Phillippians gives us the point of reference that Clare used, as it was modeled by Francis: KNOWING JESUS BY HAVING FAITH IN HIM, being freed by this knowledge from what truly enslaves – our selfishnesses, our sins – and believing in the power of his resurrection – the power which forgives sins – and makes possible everlasting life! She sees her prize at the end of the journey of faith through life as being completely possessed by Christ Jesus – something that through prayer and works of charity she now experiences already, working with Francis, in an extraordinary measure.
Clare ran away from home to join Francis and his monks. He received her and gave her a rough brown habit to wear. He cut her long golden hair very short as a sign of her dedication and devotion to God. Her sister Agnes joined her, as well as others young girls from the city. And Francis established them as a separate branch of his own order: the second order: THE POOR CLARES! Their task was always to pray for the poor and work for their eternal salvation in ways approved by Francis and his successors.
In the gospel passage Peter asks Jesus what he would
get from giving up everything and following him. Jesus was no doubt amused with the question! How human Peter was! I am willing to give – but just what is it that I am going to get! Jesus tells Peter, he tells Clare and Francis of Assisi, he tells us here today that if you give up everything to follow me – not only attachment to possessions but also attachment to all relationships – even members of your own family – even a relationship with yourself – you will get them all back a hundred times more – plus persecution – but you will inherit everlasting life. We don't like to hear about the persecution part – but it is absolutely necessary to gain eternal life. Jesus carried his cross and he tells us that we MUST carry ours if we want to share in the newness of life that he gained for us all by his death and resurrection!
If we can only remember this day that it is God who is our inheritance – if we keep him ever in our sight – no matter what else is going on in our lives, no matter what we are doing, then, one day, we will be shown the joys and the delights at the right hand of God forever! And it will be WONDERFUL!
You are my inheritance O Lord.
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