St. Francis

 October 4 is the feast day of St. Francis, renewer of the church, who died in 1226. "Born into the family of a wealthy merchant, Francis gave up his inheritance to serve poor people. He formed the Order of Friars Minor (called Franciscans), who took on poverty and the task of preaching 'using words if necessary.' Francis had a spirit of gratitude for all of God’s creation" (description from ELW).

St. Francis with birds

In commemoration of his feast day, we will include a blessing of animals as part of our worship on Sunday morning. As we remember Francis, we give thanks to God for the beauty, wonder, and diversity of creation. 

The following is a 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.
Amen.

This prayer, while beautiful at all times, seems particularly needed these days. As we experience division, fear, and uncertainty, we are reminded that God can and does use us as instruments of peace, right in our own homes and communities. We can choose how we respond to the things going on around us. We can choose love in the face of hatred, and hope in the face of despair. 

Sin curves us inward, turning us toward our own wants or disappointments and convincing us that our way is the best way. Often repentance and forgiveness from God feel like being unbent, so that our gaze is instead directed outward. It can be uncomfortable, and even painful, but it is a life-giving transformation. In seeking to understand others, we are better able to see the image of God in them. In consoling one another, we act as the Body of Christ in the world. In loving our neighbors, we are loving God. 

What might you sow this week?


Bonus resources: 

• Here's just one of many choral versions of this prayer.
• The ELCA social statement on Caring for Creation.
• Understanding one another is so hard when we're not even able to talk to folks with whom we disagree. This is one helpful approach (lots of link trails to follow!).