In an ancient text for the Feast of the Stigmata (September 17) there is a liturgical antiphon which in part prays: “Francis, standard-bearer of Christ by merciful handiwork” (Liturgical Texts for the Feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis 1337-1340). This one little line from a vast amount of text for this feast points us to the heart of St. Francis, his deepest desire and the scriptures for this feast.
If we spend any time considering the letter to the Galatians (6.14-18) we soon discover it is the pattern which the antiphon has tried to capture. We can put the words of St. Paul into the voice of St. Francis, “May I never boast of anything but the cross of Christ” because it is life and hope and my vision, for we are “created anew.” This being created anew is not just for Francis being branded with the wounds of Christ, it is for each of us. It is how we are claimed in baptism, and it is how we carry forth the gospel. We do so in the name of Christ through whose wounds we are healed and brought into eternal life, for “life means Christ” (Philippians 1.20). Even in our weaknesses and shortcomings, even in the limitations of our bodies we glorify Christ because we believe he is at work in us. We put Christ on! We may not be branded with his wounds, but we do put Christ on. For me as a Friar in my daily living, each time I put on my habit I am reminded I walk with Christ and with Francis. What is it for you, what reminds you that you put on Christ and walk with him and Francis?
Each day we are invited to pick up our cross and follow Christ. This was a conscious choice Francis made; he invites us to do the same. Francis the standard-bearer of Christ reminds us in his Letter to the Entire Order, “Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves, that He who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally.” The stigmata was Francis in complete poverty giving himself completely to Christ, holding back nothing and receiving the depth of the love of Christ. He knew Christ was his source and his strength. May we be attentive to this, for Christ our source and strength gives himself to us in every Eucharist as food for the journey to carry our cross. Let us do so with “true faith, certain hope, and perfect charity.” Amen.
Image: Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata (c. 1420) by Lorenzo Monaco – Public Domain
