One of the lesser-known but deeply revealing habits of Saint Francis of Assisi was his care for neglected chapels. Whenever he came upon a small church that had fallen into disrepair, he would quietly sweep the floor, remove the dirt, clear away the weeds, and make the place worthy for prayer. Some wondered why he devoted himself to such simple tasks.
Francis would simply reply that the house of God should always be prepared to welcome the Lord and His people. Yet he knew that restoring a church building was only a sign of something far greater. The most important sanctuary is the human heart. Before God can accomplish great things in us, our hearts must first be cleansed of pride, resentment, sin, and every obstacle to grace. This is the message of today’s Gospel.
The Divine Sower scatters His seed generously; the seed is always good, but its fruitfulness depends entirely on the condition of the soil. Like Saint Francis, we are invited to prepare not merely our churches but, above all, our hearts, so that the Word of God, nourished today by the Eucharist, may take deep root and produce an abundant harvest of holiness, charity, and enduring faith.
Fr. Kingsley Nze
Director of Pastoral Affairs
Comments (0)
Security Check
Please complete the captcha to verify you are human.