Homily: January 24 - St. Francis de Sales - "The measure of love is to love without measure"

St. Francis de Sales once said, “the measure of love is to love without measure”.  Francis took seriously the words of Christ, “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart.” For to learn to love without measure, we have to look to Jesus Christ, the obedient Son of the Father.

If we wish to effect true change in the world, we must first change our hearts; our hearts must beat with the Love of the Heart of Christ, and nothing else.  St. Francis de Sales is a doctor of the Church, and he’s known as the Doctor of Charity.  

Desiring that his flock come to a greater love for and imitation of the love of Jesus, he wrote The Introduction to the Devout Life, the spiritual classic that hasn’t gone out of print in 400 years.

His distinguishing idea was that everyone is called to be a saint—Vatican II called this the Universal call to holiness.  

A young mother once wrote to Francis when he was Bishop and said, Bishop I’m trying very hard to live a good life, to be holy, but I can’t get to Mass every day because I have these seven children who are driving me crazy (imagine that!).  Francis de Sales wrote back to her and said “Madam, you should not go to Church every day; you become a Saint by being the best mom you can be.”  Now he’s not saying here that you shouldn’t go to daily Mass.  But love and growing in holiness are very practical things; that a mother shouldn’t neglect the her duties as a mother, in order to come to daily Mass.  Conversely, a mother shouldn’t be wrapped up on the world, that she neglects her duties as a Christian, either.

The Lord gives us all opportunities to love every day.  Free time that we might selfishly devote to our own pursuits, that should generously be turned to his service.

This theme of love and service was found in the Opening Prayer this morning: “O God, who for the salvation of souls willed that the Bishop Saint Francis de Sales become all things to all, graciously grant that, following his example, we may always display the gentleness of your charity in the service of our neighbor.”

To advance in holiness is to advance in love.  Through the example and prayers of St. Frances de Sales may we learn to love without measure those God brings into our lives for the glory of God and salvation of souls.