Gospel Reflections for October 2 2016
St. Francis meets the Muslim Sultan
This Tuesday we celebrate the life of St. Francis of Assisi, by far the most popular saint in history. People of all religions, and even no religion, celebrate this remarkable man who lived 800 years ago in Italy.
Today’s Gospel affirms how one small seed can grow into the largest of trees. Such was the story of Francis, who built a towering legacy of love, peace, courage, and compassion. It is amazing what one person can do!
He left a wealthy family to live among the poor, and lived as they did. He preached by example rather than eloquent speech. He attracted thousands of followers and soon founded the Franciscan order of priests and nuns who continue his work of peace, compassion, and courageous service to this day. It is no wonder the present Pope took his name.
Francis lived during the Crusades, when Christian and Muslim armies clashed in the Middle East. He decided to go there to make peace in the year 1219. Francis was utterly fearless so he actually walked directly into the Muslim camp to speak with the Sultan, Malik al-Kamil, the powerful leader of the Muslim armies. His first words to the Sultan were, “I have come for the salvation of your soul.” (How many of us would have the courage to say that!) The Sultan was so impressed at his courage, and concern for his soul, that he invited Francis to stay for a week of talks. Later, he granted Francis custody of the main Catholic sites in the Holy Land, such as Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Nazareth. Franciscans still staff those churches today, especially the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem which is built over the Crucifixion and burial sites of Jesus.
However, Catholics in the Holy Land today live in great danger from radical Muslim persecution and many have left. The local parishioners can no longer support themselves. Every year I lead an archaeological tour of the Holy Land in June so I see the needs of the Church there myself.
Ten years ago I joined a Vatican organization called the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, which is an international fundraising group that provides about 95% of the budget for the Catholic Church in the Holy Land. Our local Southwest US chapter of about a thousand members is meeting this weekend in Tucson and so I am away from St. Bruno’s for that annual meeting.
It may seem like an immense project, but today’s Gospel and the life of St. Francis affirm powerfully what compassion and courage can do! Let us pray for peace in the Holy Land.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Father Dave, We will pray for peace in the Holy land!! We fell more and more in love with Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Nazareth when we visited these holy places with you on your fabulous trip to the Holy land but most of all we fell more and more in love with our precious Jesus !!!Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee our Jesus of love!!! We have the most beautiful faith and its ours!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it!!! We loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it because it is totally centered on LOVE!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeee our St. Francis!! What amazing courage he had to in love talk to the Sultan!!! and how it worked to have the precious Franciscan sites in Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Nazareth!!! Thank you for all you do for our lovely Holy land!!!You are a beautiful part of Jesus, St Francis’ and our heart!!!Have a beautiful day in our Jesus’ and our Blessed Mother’s amazing, sweet Divine love!!!
Loveeee, franca and Dick
Thank you!
Hi Fr Dave, I like this article and would like to talk to you about it, when you have time.
~”Saint Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint; protector of animals and the environment.
A Roman Catholic Saint who founded the Franciscan order, took the gospel literally and
followed all that Jesus said and did”~
And the followers of Francis basically founded the State of California through the Mission system.
Thank you, Father Dave, for telling how a small mustard seed like St. Francis can grow into a tree that birds can nest in. We have known many truly great Franciscans. God surprises us with gifts. St. Francis was surprised with the gift of friendship from the Muslim leader. in a time when St. Francis could have expected to be tortured and killed. Maybe God can surprise us all of a sudden with friendship from the Muslims who share our world.
I am glad that the Franciscans still have a great reputation in the Muslim world i the Holy Land.
Hi Father Dave:
We Catholics need to recognize our responsibility for the cauldron that is today’s Middle East. Islam has kept the memory of the Crusades alive as though it happened yesterday and sees it as a total denial of what we preach. We worship and praise the Prince of Peace yet our Church is responsible for two centuries of war, strive and wanton acts of violence during the Crusades in what was then called Palestine. Accounts vary but there is little doubt that upon taking Jerusalem the Crusaders engaged in the slaughter of thousands on innocents even on the grounds of the Dome of the Rock, site of Solomon’s temple. We need to distance ourselves from these acts and disavow the atrocities committed by the Crusaders as a Church so real healing can begin to take place. The actions of St. Francis are commendable and should be remembered but we should also remember why they were necessary in the first place,
You might remember that there was relative peace among Catholics and Muslims in the Holy Land for several centuries before the Crusades. When the Turks conquered the Arabs in the 11th Century they changed everything and blocked Christians from going on pilgrimage there. (They also stopped trade, which eventually inspired Columbus to find an alternate route to the East!) The purpose of the Crusades was to open the Holy Land up for pilgrimage. In fact, the word “Crusader” did not occur until centuries later. The soldiers actually called themselves pilgrims, and many walked to the Middle East barefoot as a spiritual exercise. One thing that almost scholars of the era admit, is that it is one of the most misunderstood periods of world history! The idea that the Muslims were minding their own business until the Europeans showed up is the most common mistake. After the brutal military conquest of the Middle East by the armies of Mohammed and his successors, they at least allowed pilgrimage by Christians. It was the Turkish conquerors who changed the peace of the Middle East.
So glad to know about this organization that you are involved with. Cheryl Vanick
Yes, they do great work.
Thanks Fr. Dave. While I don’t usually comment, I do enjoy your insights. I’m glad you still do the Israel trip. We’ll come in a year or two.
I look forward to your joining the pilgrimage!
thanks Fr. Dave for the word
You are welcome!
Hello Father Dave,
Thank you for responding eloquently about the truth of the Christian/Muslim difficulties of centuries ago. On October 7 we will again celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary We do well to remember the 1571 battle of Lepanto and later on in 1716 in Timisoara (according to Fr. Rutler of New York City).. It appears we are not going to ‘turn back’ the Muslims this time, as we did then, but our Faith in Our Lady, and our Lord and the Church gives us renewed Hope always. Happily the Holy Rosary fuels our devotion to Mary our Mother to come to our aid, as she did then. May our prayer increase that God’s Will be done on this Earth. Again, Father Dave, thank you always for your good words which are profound and true. You are never forgotten. Blessings, Madeleine Sorensen
You are welcome!
St. Francis is my favorite saint. I especially love how devoted to animals he was. This reflection certainly parallels the present times we are in. Arguable, one might even say we are in a new era of the Crusades. You are absolutely right, Father Dave. The Crusades were a reactionary movement to the social unrest and malaise caused by the invading Turks. Under the circumstances the pilgrims were acting to preserve their freedom to practice Christianity which was at stake.
Yes, the issue in the Middle East today is simply safety. Can two people with different religious beliefs practice their faith in the Middle East today in safety? There is no need to question the other person’s faith or comment on that faith at all. Sunni Muslims, Shia Muslims, Christians, and Jews all simply would like to live in peace. The sudden emergence of Radical Islamic Fundamentalism in the last few decades changed everything, just as the Turks changed everything centuries ago. Radical Islamic Fundamentalists will not tolerate any other religion except their own. It does not matter to them how kind and loving Christians, Jews, or even regular Muslims are. It is a credit to Sultan Malik al-Kemal that he did recognize and affirm the kindness of St. Francis. Both of them are inspirational models much needed today!