Greg Friedman, OFM

In countless ways, Saint Francis of Assisi celebrated and preached the Incarnation. Jesus came to reveal in his humanity the awesome reality of who God is for us. In Jesus we see “the human face of God.” The God Francis reflected was a God of love, forgiveness and mercy.

Last Sunday the story of the Good Samaritan urged us to take a risk to become involved with others as a true neighbor. Today we have the “how-to” of Christian neighborliness.

“Who is my neighbor?” is an important question for every Christian community. Though we may take pride in the history and traditions of our parish, we cannot exclude strangers or newcomers.

We can take a cue from Christ as evangelizers in the world today as Saint Francis did. Even if we’re not formal missionaries, we’re sent out from each Eucharist into the world carrying a message of peace.

The journey Jesus begins in today’s Gospel was difficult—not only because robbers, deserts and wild beasts lay along the road to Jerusalem. At the end of his journey, Jesus will face crucifixion and death.

How is Jesus the food that feeds our deepest hungers? At every Eucharist we’re commissioned to take its power into everyday life where we’re called to feed others, with both physical and spiritual food.