So Much With So Little

Today the Church honors St. Francis of Assisi, one of the most popular and beloved saints of all times.  Christians of all denominations love him and his statues can be found in gardens and parks.  Lately, he has become the Ecology Saint for his love of animals and all of creation.  Certainly, his Canticle To the Sun bears witness to this.  But there is more to Francis than just sweet flower picking.
On the contrary, he put into practice what the prophets and Jesus taught: repentance, a reversal of life-style, a turning around from sinfulness to saintliness.
Born to a wealthy merchant in Assisi, Italy, Francis grew up having all he ever craved, and generously spent his father's money to entertain himself and his friends.  Captured and imprisoned during a battle with neighboring Perugia, he began a slow turn-around which culminated with a complete break from his family and acceptance of God as his sole provider and Father. In giving up everything, he became God's instrument in a major reform of a Church that had lost it's way in worldly power. Thousands of young men and women followed him even in his own lifetime, and his impact is still felt today. Working simply with poverty, simplicity and absolute trust in God, he was able to shore up a tottering Church. Do we need another Francis today, or to we simply need to put into practice what he lived?
Bro. Rene