While traveling, a scribe approaches Jesus and voices his willingness to follow him wherever he may go. And The Lord warns the scribe, "Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head." In other words, Jesus is saying, “I’m homeless. Will you follow me, even if that means giving up your home? Will you follow me even if it means never being able to go home again?”
Yesterday, I mentioned St. Clare and the many saints up and down the centuries who left their homes, left their comfortable lives, to follow the Lord. Today we celebrate St. Junipero Serra who did just that.
Junipero Serra had been a university professor in Spain, but he gave up his position to come to California to teach the Native Americans about the Lord. So while our founding Fathers were fighting for our nation’s independence on the east coast, Franciscan Priest Father Junipero Serra was traveling up through Mexico to present-day California. There he devoted himself to building churches and schools for the poor and the native people, catechizing those in his care and raising up dedicated priests to continue the Lord’s work.
St. Junipero Serra, you may remember, is the first saint to be canonized on American soil. He was canonized just in 2015, when Pope Francis visited the U.S. Pope Francis praised St. Junipero Serra’s willingness to abandon the comforts and privileges of his native Spain to spread the Christian message in the new World.
What a wonderful example we have in Junipero Serra of a true missionary disciple; for no doubt, the Lord is calling us to leave the comfort of our homes, the comfort of our familiar routines, to preach the Gospel and to witness to the Gospel to the strangers in our midst. May we follow the Lord into the unknown territories, carrying his light and his truth and his love to all those we encounter today. May we find excuses to leave our homes to spread the Gospel today for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That all Christians may be deeply committed to the spread of Christ’s Gospel, and for the success of the Church’s missionary activity.
For our nation, as we celebrate our independence this week, that we may be always grateful for our freedom, but more importantly, may we use that freedom for God’s will, rather than our own.
For all those who suffer from violence, war, famine, extreme poverty, addiction, discouragement, loneliness, and those who are alienated from their families. May they know God’s mercy and be gathered to the eternal kingdom of peace.
For all those who suffer illness, and those in hospitals, nursing homes and hospice care, that they may be comforted by the healing light of Christ.
For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, the deceased members of our families friends and parishes, for those who fought and died for our freedom, and for N. for whom this mass is offered.
Graciously grant our petitions, we beseech thee, O Lord; may your grace sustain us always in your service, through Christ Our Lord.
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