The need for peace and understanding is as great in our time as it was during the Crusades, and sometimes as little valued.

Jesus and Francis both know that often the evil that we see and hate in others reflects some shadowy part of our own attitudes, thoughts, and behaviors.

Francis teaches us that by learning to rely on the Lord and on the gifts we receive from others—and all is gift—we are as needy as any beggar on the street.

Not all of us are called to give dramatic, public witness to God’s word. We are all called, however, to live the Gospel in our lives.

In committing himself to a life of poverty, Francis took seriously the belief that God would provide his daily bread.

Francis knew that he needed to confront something deep within his soul that was keeping him from following Christ. We might pause to ask what fear we need to confront.

The message of the Gospel today, like the message of Lent itself, is twofold: “Repent and believe the good news.” We are called to do both.

We find it difficult to admit when we’re wrong, when we’ve sinned. And it seems the more we try to live good Christian lives, the harder it gets to acknowledge how often we fail.

Religious practices can never become more important than the end to which they lead: love of God and love of neighbor.