Being Peacemakers. . .

 https://www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/10042026#w-tabs-0-data-w-pane-1

October 4, 2026

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Margaret Eletta

Guider, OSF

This weekend, in Franciscan places throughout the world, the 800th Anniversary of the Transitus of St. Francis - the remembrance of his passing from his earthly life to eternal life - is being commemorated. For the Franciscan family, this is an annual event where we remember Francis’s parting words: “I have done what I was to do, may God teach you what you are to do.” However, what makes this year different from all others is that Pope Leo has designated 2026 as a special year of remembrance. In doing so, he also has invited the entire people of God to join in remembering the Poverello of Assisi, the troubadour of God, the unrelenting ambassador for peace, the pilgrim of hope, and the missionary disciple of God’s incarnate love, who lived the evangelical life - disarmed and disarming, always conscious of God’s holy manner of working in all of Creation.

On this Twenty-seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time, our readings provide us with powerful images - some are disturbing and unsettling, some are inspiring and engaging, and others are catalysts for action and commitment.  

Let us begin with the Prophet Isaiah and his song about his Friend and his Friend’s Vineyard (Is 5:1-7). As I reflected on this passage, I could not help but think of the California vineyards that were destroyed by fire and smoke, the vineyards in France that succumbed to drought and unrelenting scorching temperatures, and the vineyards across several major wine regions of the world that were devastated by severe flooding in recent months. For me, these harrowing images brought Isaiah’s words to life - and begged the theodicy question: Has our world become the vineyard in the hands of an angry God?  

Beyond these actual vineyards, I believe we are being invited to consider not only how the metaphorical vineyard of our world – as depicted on the nightly news - is being de-created by so-called acts of God, but to ask ourselves in what ways our human hands, driven by vengeance, greed, impunity and insolence, are destroying the vineyard of Creation entrusted to our care?  This question brings us directly to Chapter 21 of the Gospel according to Saint Matthew, where Isaiah’s Song of the Vineyard is transposed into the ballad of the Parable of the Tenants (Matt 21:33-43).

This passage begins with the landowner who leases his fruitful vineyard to tenants. When vintage time comes, he sends three servants to obtain the produce. They are beaten, stoned and killed by the tenants. The landowner sends more servants who meet with the same fate. He then sends his son believing the tenants will treat him differently, but they do not. They throw the son out of the vineyard and they kill him.  The allegory does not require much explanation.  The landowner is God. The servants are the prophets. The son and heir is Jesus Christ. The vineyard is the people of the covenant. As for the wicked tenants? In today’s world, let us look around, and face the haunting question: Is it I, Lord?  Is it us, Lord? Indeed, to what degree might we be judged and found guilty by our landowner God as wicked tenants, not only for what we have done, but even more tragically for what we have failed to do?

But … the parable does not end there.  It offers us another horizon for reflection. The landowner does not destroy the vineyard, along with punishing the evil tenants. No, the vineyard remains and is leased to new tenants who will produce for the landowner an abundant vintage of good fruits.  Could it be that today our God is calling us to be those new tenants to whom God is entrusting God’s vineyard?  

Perhaps, our second reading from the fourth chapter of the Letter to the Philippians (4:6-9) provides us with answer as to how as “new tenants” we are called to proceed.

Let us be attentive to the message that Paul and Timothy are sending to us today: “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me—put it into practice.” Don’t be anxious. Be steadfast in prayer. Ask God for what you need. Be thankful. Let your hearts and minds be united Christ, that you may know what is true in a world of lies and deception, that you may know what is noble in a world of hubris and pomp, that you may know what is right in a world that lacks a moral compass, that you may discover what is pure, lovely, and admirable, and often hidden from sight, in a world of corruption, horror and infamy. Put into practice what you have learned, received and heard and know that the God of peace will be with you.

In the world of the Thirteenth Century, Francis of Assisi took these words to heart. Today, in 2026, let us do the same, remembering that we, too, have been chosen from the world to go and produce good fruit, fruit that will remain (Jn 15:16).

Viewed from a Franciscan perspective, one of the most important fruits is sharing the blessing “May the Lord give you peace” (The Testament of St. Francis, 23) with human beings and all of creation.  On the occasion of this feast, I would like to conclude with the prayer of Pope Leo:

Saint Francis, our brother, you who eight hundred years ago
went to meet Sister Death as a man at peace,
intercede for us before the Lord.

You recognized true peace in the Crucifix of San Damiano,
teach us to seek in Him the source of all reconciliation
that breaks down every wall.

You who, unarmed, crossed the lines of war
and misunderstanding,
give us the courage to build bridges
where the world raises up boundaries.

In this time afflicted by conflict and division,
intercede for us so that we may become peacemakers:
unarmed and disarming witnesses of the peace that comes from Christ.

Amen

LETTER OF THE HOLY FATHER LEO XIV TO THE MINISTERS GENERAL OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE FRANCISCAN FAMILY ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OF THE EIGHTH CENTENARY OF THE DEATH OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

[Assisi, 10 January 2026]

 Margaret Eletta Guider, OSF

Margaret Eletta Guider, OSF, is Associate Professor of Missiology at the Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry and Professora Ordinaria of the Ecclesiastical Faculty.

Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, she completed undergraduate and graduate degrees in education at the University of Illinois and taught in both public and parochial schools in the inner city. In 1975, she became a lay missioner and ministered in the rural interior of Goiás, Brazil, with the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate. Upon her return to the United States, she entered the congregation, and after a period of formation, she returned to Chicago and served as director of Mission Education for the Archdiocese and as chaplain for the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center. These experiences informed and influenced her ongoing commitment to Franciscan life, her interest in mission and the world church, and her passion for theology and ministerial formation.

Sr. Guider holds theological degrees from Catholic Theological Union, the Weston Jesuit School of Theology and the Divinity School of Harvard University. Currently, she is working on a manuscript entitled With Hearts Broken Open: U.S. Franciscan Missionaries in Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa (1879-2019). She is past president of the American Society of Missiology as well as the Association of Professors of Mission. She has served as an advisor and consultant for religious institutes and missionary societies as well as a board member for a variety of Catholic institutions and faith-based organizations. Her publications focus on the Church in Latin America, Vatican II Studies, Mission Studies, Franciscan Studies, and Ministerial Formation.

Prayer for Peace . . .

 

A Franciscan Blessing for Justice and Peace

 

May God bless you with discomfort...

at easy answers, hard hearts,

half-truths ,and superficial relationships.

 

May God bless you so that you may live

from deep within your heart

where God’s Spirit dwells.

 

May God bless you with anger...

at injustice, oppression,

and exploitation of people.

 

May God bless you so that you may

work for justice, freedom, and peace.

 

May God bless you with tears...

to shed for those who suffer from pain,

rejection, starvation and war.

 

May God bless you so that you

may reach out your hand

to comfort them and turn their pain into joy.

 

And may God bless you with

enough foolishness

to believe that you can make a difference

in this world, in your neighborhood,

so that you will courageously try

what you don't think you can do, but,

in Jesus Christ you'll have all the strength necessary.

 

May God bless you to fearlessly

speak out about injustice,

unjust laws, corrupt politicians,

unjust and cruel treatment of prisoners,

and senseless wars,

genocides, starvations, and poverty that is so pervasive.

May God bless you that you remember

we are all called

to continue God’s redemptive work

of love and healing in God’s place, in and through God’s name,

in God’s Spirit, continually creating

and breathing new life and grace

into everything and everyone we touch.

 

Source: "Troubadour: A Missionary Magazine," published by the

Franciscan Missionary Society, Liverpool, UK: Spring 2005

Theresa, pray for us this day!

"Let us not grow tired of prayer. Confidence works miracles."

 https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-therese-of-lisieux/

Francis intercede for us . . .

 The prayer that Pope Leo delivered to the Ministers General of the Conference of the Franciscan Family on the occasion of the opening of the 8th Centenary of the Transitus of Saint Francis.

A prayer “that Saint Francis of Assisi may continue to instil in all of us perfect joy and harmony,” as his Letter reads.

Saint Francis, our brother, you who eight hundred years ago
went to meet Sister Death as a man at peace,
intercede for us before the Lord.

You recognized true peace in the Crucifix of San Damiano,
teach us to seek in Him the source of all reconciliation
that breaks down every wall.

You who, unarmed, crossed the lines of war
and misunderstanding,
give us the courage to build bridges
where the world raises up boundaries.

In this time afflicted by conflict and division,
intercede for us so that we may become peacemakers:
unarmed and disarming witnesses of the peace that comes from Christ.

Amen

Feast of Therese - October lst . . . .

 

Jesus has no need of books or teachers to instruct souls; He teaches without the noise of words. Never have I heard him speak, but I feel he is within me at each moment.

He is guiding and inspiring me with what I must say and do. I find, just when I need them, certain lights that I had not seen until then, and it isn’t most frequently during the hours of prayer that these are most abundant, but rather in the midst of my daily occupations.
-St. Therese of Lisieux

God's Autumn Bouquet!

God of autumn, the trees are saying goodbye to their green, letting go of what has been. We, too have our moments of surrender, with all their insecurities and risk. Help us to let go when we need to do so.

God of fallen leaves, lying in coloured patterns on the ground, our lives have their own patterns. As we see the patterns on the ground, our lives have their own patterns. As we see the patterns of our own growth, may we learn from them.

God of misty days and harvest moon nights, there is always the dimension of mystery and wonder in our lives. We always need to recognize your power filled presence. May we gain strength from this. Amen. (Terry Hershey)

Francis ~ A Fool for Christ's Sake!

It is said that at one time Rabbi Lot went to see Rabbi Joseph and said, “Rabbi, as much as I am able, I practice a small rule of life, all the little fasts, some prayer and meditation, and remain quiet, and as much as possible, I keep my thoughts clean.  What else should I do? Then the old Rabbi Joseph stood up and stretched out his hands toward heaven, and his fingers became like the torches of flame.  And he said, “Why not be turned into fire?                                                            (From the Desert Fathers and Mothers)

October 4,  we celebrate Francis of Assisi, who not only turned into fire but set the world on fire with his generosity, creativity, imagination, dedication to the poor and his austere living of the Gospel.  He had a profound faith, a deep prayer life and an abiding love of God and creation.   Many commentators have called Francis “a Second Christ,” because he tried in so many ways to be exactly like Jesus.

He was born in the Tuscan country side of Assisi in 1181 to a wealthy cloth merchant.  Francis enjoyed a very rich easy life growing up; he received little formal education and during his early years he was preoccupied with having fun.  Today, we would perhaps say he is among the bold and the beautiful, the rich and famous, and the young and the restless!  As a young man, he was popular, charming, enjoyed practical jokes and was usually the life of the party.  He was good at business, but wanted to become a troubadour and write poetry.   Everyone loved Francis.  He was constantly happy, a dreamer and a born leader.  

When he was twenty years old he was eager to be a knight and took part in a battle of a nearby country, yet his townspeople were defeated and he spent a year in prison.  After his return to Assisi, he became seriously ill and dissatisfied with his way of life.  He endured a spiritual crisis and devoted himself to solitude, prayer and service of the poor.  One of the many conversion experiences of his life that is told was when he was riding one day; he came face to face with a leper who begged for money.  Francis had always had disgust for lepers, and turning his face, he rode on; but immediately he had a change of heart and returned to the leper and gave him all the money he had and kissed his hand.  As he rode off, he turned around for a last glance, and saw that the leper had disappeared.  From that day on he dressed in rags and gave himself to the service of the lepers and the poor.

Another conversion moment is told when he was in the nearby Church of San Damiano.   While he was praying, he heard Christ on the cross speak to him.  “Francis, repair my church.”  With this mandate and with the words of the Gospel, “The kingdom of God is at hand, cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out devils; freely have you received, freely give. Carry neither gold nor silver nor money, nor bag, nor two coats, nor sandals. . .” 

Francis, then at once felt that this was his vocation and proceeded to preach to the poor.  In time, 12 others joined him in preaching the Gospel and working among the poor. They took literally the words of Christ when he sent his disciples out to preach.  They would have no money and not property, individually or collectively. 

Their task was to preach, “using words if necessary,” but declaring the love of God by their words and actions.  Francis called his order the “Order of Friars Minor” or the order of lesser brothers.  They were to live as brothers of all, to reveal by their love that all human beings are sisters and brothers. Francis did not live in a monastery but among the people, and in that world, he sought and found God.  

His approach was an Incarnational approach – God was a loving Father/Creator and all that Francis had was gift, Christ was his Brother and the Spirit of that love lived and burned in him.  
Following the Gospel literally, Francis and his companions at first frightened their listeners as these men dressed in rags talking about God’s love.  But soon the people noticed that these barefoot beggars wearing sacks seemed filled with constant joy. They celebrated life.  

An early biographer gives an account of Francis’ physical appearance.  “In stature he was rather on the short side, his head of moderate size and round, his face long, his forehead smooth and low, his eyes of medium size, black and candid, his hair dark, his eyebrows straight, his nose even-shaped, thin and straight, his ears prominent but delicate.
  
In conversation he was agreeable, ardent and penetrating, his voice firm, sweet-toned and clearly audible, his lips delicate, his beard black and rather sparse, his neck slender, his shoulders straight, his arms short, his hands small, with long fingers, his feet small, his skin tender, his clothing rough, his sleep brief and his bounty most liberal.”

Francis’ brotherhood included all of God’s creation.  He had a deep love for animals and a special fondness for birds.  He liked to refer to animals as his brothers and sisters.   

In one famous story, Francis preached to hundreds of birds about being thankful to God for their wonderful clothes, for their independence, and for God’s care. The story tells us the birds stood still as he walked among them, only flying off when he said they could leave. 

Another famous story involves the wolf of Gubbio.  Out of hunger, the wolf took to attacking the people of Gubbio as they worked in their fields. The people were so frightened of the wolf they didn’t dare go out into the fields without armed protection.  Francis said to them, “Let me go out to talk with the wolf.”  So he went out to meet the wolf and spoke with him, who became docile at his approach and so the wolf returned with Francis to meet the people of Gubbio.  Francis arranged a peace pact between the people and the wolf.  The people would feed the wolf and in return the wolf would live peacefully with them. 

Francis’ final years were filled with much suffering.  Praying to share in Christ’s passion he had a vision and received the stigmata, the marks of the nails and the lance wounds that Christ suffered. 

Years of poverty and wandering had made Francis ill.  In his final months of his life, being blind and enduring intense suffering, he joyfully and with cheerfulness wrote his beautiful Canticle of the Sun that expresses his brotherhood with creation in praising God.  He died at the age of 45 and at which time there were now several thousand members throughout Europe to carry on his mission and call.  He was canonized two years later.

So what is the good news for us today?
• Francis speaks to us to live with joy, simplicity and faithfulness to the Gospels.   Let us dare to search for meaning and fulfillment in our relationship to God even when we may look a little foolish or even when it may call us to make drastic changes in our attitudes and behaviors.
• Francis speaks to us about our relationship to creation.   Let us be voices that challenge as we confront the environmental issues that affect our planet today. “Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
• Francis was called to “repair the church.”  Let us live with integrity and courage to witness a church of inclusivity, compassion, forgiveness and hope so that the message and mission of Jesus will be revealed – and let us use words, if necessary!
• Francis speaks to us about the gift of suffering.  Let us ask for the graces we need when we find life tiring and burdensome so that the gentle and loving presence of God will bless us with refreshing peace, healing and bravery.
• Francis speaks to us of poverty.  Let us live with an awareness that all we have is gift, and that we are to share the resources of this world with everyone; we are guardians and stewards of creation; sisters and brothers to all.
• Francis kisses the leper and tames the wolf.  Let us be aware of the things in our lives that we may fear; the things that scare us – let us ask for the graces to embrace them with courage and love.   

Let us search for the wolf that hungers in our world, church, government, community, and in our personal lives – let us name and tame the hungers so that we may live with trust, harmony, justice and peace. “While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.”

Dancing Francis ~ Viterbo University Campus

La Crosse, WI