"Go and serve creation joyfully"

Today is  the feast  day of St. Francis of Assisi.  Most of us are familiar with the Prayer of St . Francis of Assisi and of St. Francis's love of animals.  Many churches hold a blessing of the animals on this day. He was a man who loved and revered all of God's creation.   In an article in Lutheran Woman Today, Bryan Cones writes that St. Francis is most well known for his poverty, and that it was through poverty that St. Francis' "found oneness . . . with the whole natural world, with all of God’s creation. "

" In his poverty he learned what so often we forget. Not only are we as utterly dependent on God as the birds of the air, we are no less tightly woven into the tapestry of creation. We belong to a vast web of created things, each linked to the others, and we, perhaps, need them far more than they need us. Francis reminds us that as we watch the destruction of God’s creation around us, we are watching also our slow demise."

May this canticle from St. Francis of Assisi remind us of the great wealth we are blessed with.

CANTICLE OF CREATION

Be praised Good Lord for Brother Sun 

who brings us each new day. 

Be praised for Sister Moon: white

beauty bright and fair, with wandering
stars she moves through the night.

Be praised my Lord for Brother Wind,
for air and clouds and the skies of
every season.

Be praised for Sister Water: humble,
helpful, precious, pure; she cleanses
us in rivers and renews us in rain.

Be praised my Lord for Brother fire:
he purifies and enlightens us.

Be praised my Lord for Mother Earth:
abundant source, all life sustaining;
she feeds us bread and fruit and gives
us flowers.

Be praised my Lord for the gift of life;
for changing dusk and dawn; for touch
and scent and song.

Be praised my Lord for those who
pardon one another for love of thee,
and endure sickness and tribulation.

Blessed are they who shall endure it in
peace, for they shall be crowned by
Thee.

Be praised Good Lord for sister Death
who welcomes us in loving embrace.

Be praised my Lord for all your
creation serving you joyfully.

Francis of Assisi, 1225 A.D

Go and serve creation joyfully!