Saint Francis is a Good Friend of Mine, I Love His City of Assisi, His Works, and His Example

As we approach October, I seem to Have St. Francis on my mind a lot. October 4th, we celebrate him for being the Patron Saint of Animals, Nature and ecology. Many pet blessings take place also. Francis of Assisi was gentle with his brother wolf, the birds, and all of nature, yet hard on himself, who he called brother ass. He was full of love for all Gods creatures and praised God for our sister, Mother Earth.

Francis was certainly offbeat in many ways, yet I think we would be too, if we had the opportunities he had witnessed in the thirteenth century, like the miracle of the famous Crucifix in San Damiano that spoke to him, saying: “Francis go and repair my house which is falling completely in ruin”. This being the Roman Church at the time, yet he thought it was the small little Church of San Damiano. I had the gift of a lifetime to be able to walk the grounds, view the cross which spoke to him and the tomb of Saint Francis.

Assisi is a place I look forward to a return visit someday. The Upper Basilica is made up of marble, Gothic columns and stained glass windows. The entire town of Assisi is a piece of art that I will treasure in my heart and mind and will forever. While walking the narrow streets, alleys, and stairways, I could feel the presence of St. Francis everywhere. The imprint that he made by his love, compassion, and dedication to Christ and God’s creatures has touched all denominations and religions.

I often wonder if he lived today, how he would look at our world of paganism, greed, waste and self centered individualism that that seems to haunt the society and culture we live in. Will social order and control override the holiness that we were intended to have in this world? His prayer for peace could be used today by each of us who call ourselves children of God. (All Faiths)

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy 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;
and 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.

The city of Assisi is so simple, just like Saint Francis of Assisi lived his life. My next visit will be a retreat for a minimum of seven days to refuel the soul, cleanse the mind and become closer to God as I take a closer look at the life and times of one of my favorite Saints.

Evangelization - Just What Is It Anyway?

A few years back I had an opportunity to take some classes that spent much focus on the responsibility and duties of we as Catholics as disciples of Christ. One of the little, powerful books that we used for reference in this class was, "Go and Make Disciples" a plan written by the Committee on Evangelization of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB). At the core of "Go and Make Disciples" are three goals for evangelization:

Goal I: To bring about in all Catholics such an enthusiasm for their faith that, in living their faith in Jesus, they freely share it with others.

Goal II: To invite all people in the United States, whatever their social or cultural background, to hear the message of salvation in Jesus Christ so they may come to join us in the fullness of the Catholic faith.

Goal III: To foster gospel values in our society, promoting the dignity of the human person, the importance of the family, and the common good of our society, so that our nation may continue to be transformed by the saving power of Jesus Christ.

Most of this is based on scripture and is really the duty and responsibility of all Christians. It boils down to the fact that Evangelization is not a program – it’s a responsibility. It's all about love. It's all about social action, it's all about worship and service. it's about healing, reconciliation and forgiveness.

I don't think that's to much to ask, do you?

Have a blessed week

Assisi's Charm Lies in its Beauty & My Friend St. Francis

All my life I have been attracted to St. Francis, for his simple, yet articulate way of preaching the Gospel. He was strange in many ways referring to himself as brother ass, preaching to birds, praising God, for sister death of our bodies. Yet, he really had a grip on how nature and man have been created by God to be in harmony. Back in 2003, Sharon and I had our first opportunity to visit Italy, which took in Rome, Tuscany, Florence and Assisi.

I have to admit, that even though we witnessed some of the most beautiful Cathedrals in Italy, Assisi was more exciting, spiritual, and like being with my friendly saint, all the time I was there. I must return again to spend much more time investigating the life of my friend.

St. Francis has had hundreds of books written about his life and times in the walled community of Assisi that dates back to pre-Roman times, inhabited by the Umbri and then the Romans. He is the patron Saint of Animals and Ecology because of his fondness for the animals, nature, and creation in general. His famous simple statue sits in our Flower garden to remind us that the world is blessed to have such beauty.

Perhaps Saint Francis is not given enough credit and attention on his literary works and his preaching that was so profound in many ways. His writings go right to the heart and bring out the best in those of us who participate in his spiritual works. His fans are not just Catholics, his famous prayer is shared by all. I like one of his quotes that seems to keep me on the straight and narrow. He says: "I have done what is mine to do; may Christ teach you what is yours to do"

When I start feeling a little cocky about getting all my duties and goals reached, rather than rest in my laurels, I look at another famous quote by Francis that says: ""Let us begin to do good, for as yet we have done little".

I hope you have some time in the near future to investigate this wonderful saint, you'll be moved by his spirituality, his holiness, and the example he has set for all Christians to live by. His other famous quote is: "Preach the Gospel often, sometimes use words" In other words, do the footwork. May peace be with you and your family, Mike

"Take Courage, It Is I, Do Not Be Afraid" Have Faith!

Jesus said: "Take courage, it is I. Do not be afraid" struck me as the key line in today’s Gospel. It drew my attention to two areas that all young or elderly Christians could reflect upon in our journey as we travel through this world.

The Fire within the Night is a song we listened to back when I took a Hebrew Scripture class. In my opinion this would be a great song to play at the Easter Vigil, a celebration of Baptism, Confirmation or possibly a funeral. It reiterates Exodus to include God saving his people, Moses leading the people through the desert, celebration, Gods judgment, Israel’s sins, idols and repentance. It is dark when we sin and light when we are living in Gods presence. Life is tears and laughter, peace and disruption, miracles, visions and dreams. This song is about life, but, more important, it is about afterlife. It‘s telling us not to grow weary with our troubles, God will put us first. Although we live in a sinful world of false gods, idols and dark times the Light will save us if look within. We all have those storms, I hear God best in the calm times of my life.

Jesus also said, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" This was another area that made me think of the book written by Richard P. Johnson, PH.D titled The 12 Keys to Spiritual Vitality: Powerful Lessons on Living Agelessly: It lists twelve foundational principles of aging and spirituality.

1) Transform your attitudes about aging,
2) Seek love everywhere,
3) Delight in connectedness,
4) Live in the "Now"
5) Accept your true self,
6) Forgive others and self,
7) Let go of anger and inner turmoil,
8) Give yourself to others,
9) Celebrate your faith,
10) Discover personal meaning in life,
11) Make your feelings work for you, and
12) Achieve balance in your life.

I have no idea why I was thinking of these after reading the Gospel for today, however, now that I’ve written about them, I need to pull the book off the shelve and re-read it and sit back and enjoy the song of life. This would be a great shot in the heart for more faith, don’t you agree?

Have a blessed day, Mike