Today is the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi.
There is a tendency today of reinterpreting the words of the Gospel
into more acceptable and palatable manner.
Nothing typifies this mentality more than those who preach and live by
the gospel of prosperity; who make their following of Christ
conditional on the blessings they want to receive.
Here is one person who took the words of the Lord literally.
To his would-be followers and disciples, Christ said:
“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor,
and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Saint Francis did just that – he sold all his possessions and lived on begging.
He gathered together men and women who would dedicated their own lives
serving the poor, the sick, the outcasts, the rejects of society.
He preached the Gospel not just the poor but but also Brother Sun and Sister Moon.
He totally understood the interconnectedness of all creation
so that even animals and every living thing join in praising and thanking the Creator.
He saw God’s presence everywhere, joining Brother Sun and Sister Moon in singing God’s praise.
Today, our Pope is the first Pope ever to take on the name of Francis.
Pope Francis shares St. Fancis’ great love for and of nature.
His Laudato Si speaks about a spirituality of creation,
a oneness with nature that respects our only home – Earth
We lived for some years in California
which has been blessed with this Franciscan spirituality,
as the missions here have been put up by Franciscan missionaries,
led by the Blessed Junipero Serra.
Nature is very much part of the California lifestyle.
Isn’t our God, the God of all Nature and Creation, an awesome God indeed?