Homily: Feast of St. Clare
Feast of St. Clare (2022) Mt. 18:21-19:1 “A Christian Feminist?”
Behind every great man is a woman someone once said. The masculine and the feminine perspective are very important in decision making. Many founders of religious movements were partnered with a person of the opposite sex. We could think of St. Benedict for example. His sister St. Scholastica was essential in the founding of a women’s branch of the Benedictines. St. Francis de Sales partnered with St. Jean de Chantel to plant Salesian spirituality in the church.
Today, we remember that St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare of Assisi worked together to start the Franciscan movement in the church. We often think of the two of them enjoying nature and helping the poor. Francis was freer to live the life of a mendicant (wandering preacher). Clare had to stay in the convent and live life as a contemplative because of the social pressures of her day. We could say that Francis provided the direct action, and that Clare supplied the prayer.
Clare ran away from home to enter religious life when she was very young. Her family was not in favor of what she did. She and Francis both were at odds with their families over the choice to live a radical Christianity.
I visited Assisi when I was in graduate school and went to the convent where Clare lived almost a thousand years ago. He body was on display, and she was incorrupt, which means her body did not decompose. I would not say that she looked perfectly preserved, but a thousand-year-old body is impressive. The thing that I also remembered was the glass container that contained St. Claire’s long hair. She cut it when she entered religious life. This was a sign of her willingness to give up everything to be a disciple of Christ.
Clare was known as a dynamic leader. The fact that the Poor Clares are still around today, is a testament to her life’s work. We need such prophetic witnesses today in our materialistic society. What we own and how we look does not define us. What is most important is our character and our Christian life.
Reflection Questions:
1. Is there a masculine way of planning? Is there a feminine way?
2. What is the difference between the two? Did Jesus have women that influenced him? Who were they?
Dear Parishioners,
Next Monday is the Feast of the Assumption. We will be adding a 6:30 a.m. Mass. We will also have the regular 8 a.m. Mass. This is not a holy day of obligation. When the Feast of the Assumption falls on a Saturday or a Monday it is not a day of obligation in most of the United States. The thought is that it is hard for clergy to celebrate multiple Masses in a two-day period. When the feast falls in the middle of the week it is a day of obligation.
It would be good to attend Mass on this Feast especially this year. Mary is the patroness of our country. We would be wise to ask her to intercede in our divided society so that we might find healing and wholeness. Mary is also a patroness of peace. We certainly need peace in our world today.
May Our Lady Pray for us today and bring our country together.
Fr. Mark