Franciscan Love for Jesus

A Reflection by Fred Schaeffer, OFS

I recently read a line from a text on the Holy Eucharist. Describing St. Francis of Assisi, it said: "No human tongue could describe the passionate love with which Francis burned for Christ, his Spouse; he seemed to be completely absorbed by the fire of divine love like a burning coal."

Many people yearn for this closeness with Jesus, and just as many reject Him and curse Him. I shudder sometimes at the coarseness of the message on the Internet, where someone, once again voices his or her disinterest and displeasure with Jesus. Why? What has this Holy person, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, done to you to make you appear so miserable? Why do you hate Him so?

Jesus Christ is love personified. No one on earth can even come close to the perfection of love that God and Jesus Christ are capable of and no one here can even begin to understand what this love is all about. There are times that understanding isn't possible but our desire for a better time is so great that we simply choose to believe. That's what is known as "Faith."

There are many Christians who love Jesus. There are also non-Christians who respect Jesus for what He is. But just because you aren't Christian, and you do not know Him, there is no reason to hate Him or despise Him. He loves us too much for that. He is not just the Son of God for Christians, He is the Son of God for all people in the world! Some Christians, Catholics among them, make a concerted effort to stay close to Jesus. I have met very, very poor people who loved Jesus like St. Francis did. I have also met rich people, or at least those seemingly better off than me, who also had a deep Faith.

In 2009, a dear friend of mine passed away. His name was Joseph, and we often went swimming together. He was the kind of guy who was always more concerned with my welfare than with his own. He suffered for 6+ years with Leukemia and over time he became weaker and weaker and died on the feast day of St. Joseph. The Memorial Mass was today (2009), and the Pastor of our Church gave a great homily... a homily about a saint named Joe. I do not think that anyone has any doubt where Joe is now. He is in Heaven. Although I miss him already, the thought of having him with Jesus, experiencing Jesus face to face as He really is, is awesome. It is nice to have another friend in Heaven who can intercede for us. Praise God.

You've heard the expression "We have a friend in Jesus" - I believe it comes from a hymn, but no matter, we DO have a friend in Jesus. He wishes us well, and desires for us to make our life better so that we, one day, may be with Him in paradise. There are people who have been or who are in monasteries where they have prayed deeply and without interruptions or distractions, and they have experienced Jesus in a most extraordinary way. One such a person was Sr. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun, who has spoken to Jesus in her prayers. She was Canonized a Saint in the Catholic Church, and the Church wouldn't have done so, if the apparitions the sister received had not been true. It is all in a book: "Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska*" and you will come to a new understanding what Jesus wants of us, and how much he loves us and desires for us to love Him. Imagine, even if just one person would have been left on the Earth, Jesus still would have given His life to make sure that person could be in Heaven with Him; but he has made this possible for many, many people. For more information about this, seek out a member of the Clergy, or if it has been a long time, then please receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. You will become filled again, with the Holy Spirit, with His Love and you will find a deep, satisfying joy in your life. I know I do.

Fred Schaeffer, OFS

3/30/2009, rev. 2020

* The Diary is in several PDF files on the Internet. 

  see: https://benedictinesofdivinewill.org/uploads/3/4/3/2/34324596/st._faustina_kowalska_-_diary.pdf

   (This will open in a new window)

Home