St Francis of Assisi

I read today for the first time the story of St Francis of Assisi. Most people who aren't from the Catholic tradition will know him through his quote "go out and preach the gospel to all the world, and if all else fails, use words". Most Catholics know him as the founder of the order of friars - or the franciscan monks.

I would like to make a dedication to St Francis of Assisi – the man who dared to live according to the Gospel – according to the way of Christ. St Francis turned his back on a life of affluence to embrace the mission of God through voluntary poverty. St Francis continues to inspire many people in their journey of Christ through the living of monastic lifestyles – living in the most poverty stricken places in this world, forsaking all that the world has to offer, to show love to the marginalised, and themselves be transformed.

When a Bishop showed horror at the Friars hard life, Francis said, "If we had any possessions we should need weapons and laws to defend them." As Terry Matz comments, "Possessing something was the death of love for Francis. Also, Francis reasoned, what could you do to a man who owns nothing? You can't starve a fasting man, you can't steal from someone who has no money, you can't ruin someone who hates prestige. They were truly free."

This is the famous prayer attributed to St Francis –

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

My prayer -

Father, thank you that St Francis continues to inspire many today to take up there cross and follow you. Help us to remember who he followed so that we may always have the right perspective - keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. Lord, help all of your children to be honest in acknowledging the things that we have pledged alliegance to. May we let go of everything that hinders us from living a Godly life in Christ. May we take seriously your call to take up our cross daily and follow you. May your will be done.

Daniel.