October 4th is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology and beloved by many. I offer this reflection in his honor.

The story of St Francis embracing the leper is one that posed a challenge for Francis and offers many parallels to the challenges of our times. 

In Assisi during Francis’s life, leprosy was a terrible plight for those afflicted with the disease. They were excluded from society and banished beyond the city limits and were viewed as untouchables to be avoided and shunned. As a young man, Francis feared and was repulsed by people with this disease.

However, one day when travelling he encountered a person with leprosy on the side of the road in need of assistance. Francis first inclination was to turn away, yet something about the man moved him and he felt compelled to get down off his horse and then he reached out to embrace the man. In that moment he experienced a profound opening of his heart. Instead of seeing an outcast he saw the light of Christ gazing back at him. This experience awakened Francis to follow a limitless call to love and to be of service to others.

Caregivers move towards those who suffer rather than turning away. I hold you in the highest esteem and I thank you for giving your hearts to service with your skills, expertise, and kind spirits and to accompany people in their time of need. Thank you for the many ways you live love and help to ease the way for others.  

With deep gratitude,

Liz Sorensen Wessel
Photo Source: The Franciscan Spirit Blog