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Jb 42:1-3;5-6;12-17; Ps 119:66,71,75,91,125,130; Lk 10:17-24"giving understanding to the simple"
Only when the LORD lets his face shine upon us do we gain understanding. The LORD loves the simple hearts; his face shines upon those whom he loves. We rely upon the LORD to teach us wisdom, and we grow in knowledge when we trust in his commands. We can even rejoice in our afflictions because we have learned his statutes. Indeed, we know that the ordinances of the LORD are just and in his faithfulness we have been afflicted. In accord with his ordinances we stand firm; we learn how to serve the LORD who made heaven and earth. We are his servants, and he gives us discernment that we may know his decrees and learn how to apply them to our daily struggles. Indeed, the revelation of his Word in Christ sheds light on all the living; it gives understanding to the simple. Being simple is being like the LORD, for the LORD is the simplest of all. He is simply love, and sharing in his divine life makes us truly loving. Like Saint Francis of Assisi, we long to love and serve everyone because the Lord Jesus loved and served everyone, even his betrayer had his feet washed and shared in the morsel of His Body. How could we refuse anyone? The patient and long suffering Job dies old and full of years because he has learned to trust in the LORD who can do all things. When we learn to rejoice that our names are written in heaven, then the Lord Jesus will rejoice in the Holy Spirit. With the most simple Francis of Assisi and the great crowd of witnesses before the Throne of God and of the Lamb; we taste and see that the LORD is good, and we want to share this delight with all who hunger and thirst.
One of the most painful questions that troubled Saint Francis was why did the LORD let him and his simple friars suffer? If they were doing his will joyfully, why did people reject and hate them? These questions are not unlike the very questions that Job addressed to the All Just and All Good God. What Job learned Saint Francis also learned. Toward the end of his ministry Saint Francis was fully embraced by the mystery of suffering. In his own flesh, he bore the wounds of the Crucified One. Saint Francis learned that even in his suffering that he served the Lord of Glory. His face was bright with the joy of being united with the Lord Jesus and sharing in his crucifixion. In his very flesh Saint Francis learned to deal with great things that he did not understand; things too wonderful for him, which he could not know. Saint Francis, like Job, had heard of the Lord Jesus by word of mouth, but in his mystical union with the LORD he saw Christ with his own eyes. After the beauty of the Cross of Christ filled him, Saint Francis repented of ever doubting the Lord and his ways. Thus the Lord Jesus blessed Saint Francis with the abundance of many brothers and sisters who live in the spirit of his simple poverty and his passionate love. Even though Saint Francis did not live a hundred and forty years after his union with the Crucified, he too died old and full of years. He died, and yet his desire to love and serve his Master continues to live and inspire even those among us who are not members of his order.
The Lord Jesus continues to teach his disciples that even the full force of the enemy will not harm them. Indeed, through today's Gospel proclamation we are present to the Lord Jesus. He hears our rejoicing that even the demons are subject to us because of his Holy Name. Yet, he warns us again, "do not rejoice because spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven." Rejoice, the Lord tells us, but do not be proud of your success. Do not let the evil one tempt you to pride; this would be your downfall. Rejoice, rather, that your name is permanently written in the Book of the Living. Rejoice that your name and your person are secure in the Father's eternal love. This is the only assurance we need to continue praising and serving the Lord of heaven and earth. So, we continue to rejoice with Job and Saint Francis and everyone throughout history who has suffered to give birth to a new creation in the Holy Spirit. It is this simple rejoicing that causes the Lord Jesus to rejoice in the Holy Spirit and praise the Father, the Lord of heaven and earth. Indeed, Our Father has hidden these simple truths from the wise and the learned. Yet, he has revealed them to the childlike, to the simple of heart. Indeed, this is the Father's gracious will! Indeed, his Father has handed over all things to the Lord Jesus. We have come to know the Son because the Father has revealed him to us. This is the blessing for which we have longed all our lives, to see the Father in the face of the Crucified and Risen Christ. Many great and powerful rulers throughout history have longed to see what we see and have not seen it; to hear what we hear and have not heard it. The LORD loves the simple and in them he greatly rejoices.
