Fr. Marek Stybor, OFM Conv.

“When we come to Chapter, we try to be attentive to the voice of the Holy Spirit,” Fr. Marek Stybor, OFM Conv., told the regional ministers assembled in Scottsdale, AZ, for the annual Chapter of Secular Franciscans.

“Practice tuning your ear to hear the sound of God’s voice,” he said.

Fr. Marek gave his homily Tuesday, Sept. 17, at the opening Mass of the 2024 Chapter of Secular Franciscans—USA held at the Franciscan Renewal Center.  This also was the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s receipt of the Stigmata.  Fr. Marek linked Francis’s attentiveness to God’s voice to the stigmata.

He demonstrated how our minds are trained to listen for important sounds.  He told the story of two men walking at Times Square.   One, Eugene, told his friend to listen for the sound of crickets.  Nearly impossible amidst the noisy crowd, the man said.

Eugene then threw a pocketful of coins to the ground, and those nearby stopped to look down, momentarily attracted by the sound of silver hitting the pavement.

We can hear what is important, no matter what the circumstances, was Eugene’s point.

“Practice tuning your ears to the sound of God’s voice,” Fr. Marek said.

This will give you peace in your heart, which will cause you to turn your life over to God’s will.  The stigmata was a sign that Francis let God dominate his life.  Francis heard God’s voice through all of the suffering that he was enduring.

“The stigmata is permitting God to be in control.  Allow Him to dominate your life,” Fr. Marek said.

The stigmata made Francis a different person.

“If we experience those moments with God, we will not become bitter or resentful, but we will become people who are free.  Resurrected,” Fr. Marek said.

Listen to Fr. Marek’s homily in its entirety.