Third day of the novena in honor of St. Francis of Assisi:Lord, what can I do? FRANCISCO: Go and repair my church!

Third day of the novena in honor of St. Francis of Assisi
3. Lord, what can I do?FRANCISCO: Go and repair my church!
BIBLE TEXT TO REFLECT13 Therefore, keep the spirit alert, sober living and put all their hope on the grace to receive when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not proceed according to the evil desires you had while living in ignorance. 15 Just as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 according to what is written: Be holy, for I am holy. (1 P 1.13 to 16)Having witnessed the great need that Francisco had to make sense of his life, and after being found by Jesus Christ leaving, now one must be truly love and get down to work. We must emphasize that Francis lived a fairly long period of searching impregnated existential crisis. These processes in the life of any person take time and must mature before it hit with the grace of God and the assistance of the Holy Spirit to do the will of God. It was shortly before starting work as a bricklayer, when Francis was kneeling before the Crucifix of San Damiano, meditating, looking at himself with the inner eyes, those contemplating what we are, works, thoughts, omissions ... indecipherable in the eyes of others, from time to time raised the exterior look to the cross presiding over the church of San Damiano, to which Francis was prostrate, when he suddenly felt the words: "Francis, go and repair my house, because, you see, threatens ruin ". Francisco immediately began working with the trowel and place stones to conceal gaps or cracked unite what to rebuild the chapel of San Damiano. But suddenly, he realized that the church was the Chapel of St. Damian ... realized that the face of Jesus, that Jesus who was watching him from the cross, was more alive, more latent, more conversational. He realized that the Church had a body of men, and men a face of Christ.We face a chain of events quite "normal", which manifested the provisions of Francis and his encounter with Christ Progressive: the numerous visits to the church of San Damiano, prolonged moments of prayer and contemplation of the Crucified Syrian, during of which came the Lord's answer to the heart of Francis.
Encounter with ChristTherefore, Francisco regularly visiting the church of San Damiano and begs the Lord: "High, glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart, give me true faith. Certain hope and perfect charity. Hit and knowledge oh Lord to fulfill your holy and true command. Amen. >> This was insistent prayer Francisco, pleaded with the Lord to show him his will: Lord tell me what to do!. Francisco is a restless and tormented, but sensible and waiting for a sign from the Lord.One day, during his prayer before the crucifix, Francisco is strongly impressed by the contrast between the dark and dilapidated chapel and light Christ above the altar there. That day did not discover all the theological richness of the Crucifix, but was stunned by its brightness. Until then Francisco was too turned in on itself, but that day was the Christ light. Was it before or after asking: "Enlighten the darkness of my heart"? Who cares! At that time found the darkness and decay of the sanctuary. Was not it a sign from heaven, an answer to your hopes? Francisco understands this: you must restore the church and make a lamp burning before the crucifix. Do not try to find out if the Crucifix Francisco spoke truly, there is no doubt that his heart came a response avid Lord clarity before Christ, was well aware of the darkness of the place where Christ reigned light and living from his dark cross, and realized: "Francis, do not you see my house is crumbling? Go therefore and repárala "(TC 13c; 2 Cel 10). At the same time, in the light of the Crucifix, Francis undergoes further comprising their own darkness and the light of Christ is an answer to his anguished prayer. According to the Legend of the Three Companions, Francisco "really felt in his soul that had been crucified Christ who had spoken" (TC 13c), while Celano says that "the image of the crucified Christ, spreading the lips, speaking from Table Francisco "(2 Cel 10a); Bonaventure says that Francis" heard with his bodily ears a voice coming from the same cross that said three times ... "(LM 2.1 a). Schmucki writes: "The spectacle of the ruined chapel had to produce a vivid impression on the sensitivity Francisco. In such a mood, it was enough to hear the inner voice of God ... to feel called by the crucifix to restore the church. "Here again we see Christ and Francis. Two loving hearts had turned to find and where two needy of love, dialogue and understanding heart to heart and not dwell on how to act, just act, to the letter, without gloss,-as Francisco say after facing the Gospel. Ermita Francisco reconstructed material, but soon understood that it is another church, another house that needs repair. It is the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ that is not entirely in tune with the Head. It has been a strong schizophrenia and now we must insist in season and out and witnessed that is necessary to look and heart to Jesus Christ in order to live in the lofty dignity of the Sons of God. Go task Francisco! Go task to us if we really found also with Jesus Christ.1. Am I aware of the need to discover God's grace in my life?2. Do I feel in me the need to repair the church of God that is my own life and that of others?3. ? I find around me in the face of Christ that I love them and serve them invite?4. My struggles, my crisis, my doubts where do I drive?5. Would you ask the Lord to enlighten me constantly?6. What is my response to this reflection?
Prayer to the Trinity
(LtOrd 50-52)Almighty, eternal,just and merciful God,grant for yourselfto us miserable,do what you want to knowand always to desire what pleases you,so that, inwardly purifiedinternally illuminated and litby the fire of the Holy Spirit,we can continuethe footsteps of your Son,our Lord Jesus Christ,and reach, by Your grace alone,to you, Most High,in perfect Trinityand simple Unitylive and reign and are glorified,Almighty God,for ever and ever. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord, and true living God,and restituyámosle always praise, glory,honor, blessing and all good. Amen.(Office of the Passion of the Lord)
Fear and honor,praise and bless,give thanks and worshipthe Lord God Almightyin Trinity and Unity,Father and Son and Holy Spirit,creator of all things.(Earlier Rule, XXI, 2)


Pray three Our Fathers. Three Hail Mary's and three Glory be to the Father and Son and Holy Spirit