Daily Mass Reflection – Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi

First Reading (Baruch 4:5–12, 27–29)

Response Psalms (Psalm 69:33–37)-The Lord listens to the poor. 

Alleluia: Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.

Gospel: (Luke 10:17–24)

The seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus,
“Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.”
Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power to tread upon serpents and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy, and nothing will harm you.

Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

At that very moment, He rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said,
“I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned, you have revealed them to the childlike.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.

All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal Him.”

Turning to the disciples in private, He said,
“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see but did not see it,
and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

Mass Reflection:

It is natural for us to feel proud of our achievements, especially when our efforts bring success. Today, the disciples return to Jesus filled with excitement, rejoicing that even demons obeyed them in His name. Yet Jesus gently redirects their joy: not to the power they wielded, but to the grace they have received “rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Please let that sink in. Powerful!

The true source of our joy, then, is not in our accomplishments, no matter how spiritual or impressive they may seem, but in our belonging to God. Our relationship with Him gives meaning to all we do and transforms every task, victory, or trial into a pathway toward eternal life.

“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see,” Jesus says. The disciples are blessed not simply because they witnessed miracles, but because they recognized the presence of God in Jesus. They believed, and through that belief entered into His divine relationship with the Father.

This connection, this communion with God, is our deepest treasure. It is the source of true peace, joy, and purpose. Many kings and prophets longed to see and hear what we now experience through faith: the love of God revealed in Christ and continued in the Church.

Let us, like St. Francis of Assisi whose feast we celebrate today, seek that same simplicity of heart. In humility and joy, may we recognize God’s presence in the poor, in creation, and in our daily lives. And may our greatest joy always be that our names are written in heaven.

God bless you and have a wonderful day.

-Pal Ronnie-