Lover of animals

        Today is the feast of Saint Francis ( of Assisi ). Many Christian denominations celebrate this day in his honor. By all accounts he was a lover of God's creatures, patron of animals and the environment. By most accounts he also was a pacifist having tried to make peace between the Muslims and Christians in 1219. This is my kind of man, animal lover, balls of brass and attuned to the will of God.  An interesting description but Francis truly was no slouch and totally dedicated to God.

          Francis' life is so inspiring that it is no wonder so many see him as a role model and are called to the Franciscan way of living. Nine hundred years later and he still holds a key to contentment, inner peace, the love of our fellow man and the love of God. How could you not be attracted to him?

         Sadly, Francis' attempts at peace between the Muslims and the Christians failed and not because of the Muslims. It is the Christians who would not enter into a peace. I can only imagine how disheartened he was that his message and works not honored by those for whom he was perhaps a prime living exemplar.

            We face the same today, perhaps more so. People that claim to be Christian, agendas and priorities way out of whack. A simple man or woman has a daunting task in front of them if they wish to live a simple dedicated life when so many 'superiors' fail miserably at the same task. In spite of that failed attempt of Francis, he is one of our most beloved sainted people and still an fine example and mentor for our lives this side of Christ himself.

            I challenge everyone to read whatever they can about Francis and know that while the odds of success seem against us, the power of the Spirit always prevails. Live the holy life you are invited to and destined for.

Luke 6:1-11

One sabbath while Jesus was going through the cornfields, his disciples plucked some heads of grain, rubbed them in their hands, and ate them.But some of the Pharisees said, ‘Why are you doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?’ Jesus answered, ‘Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and gave some to his companions?’ Then he said to them, ‘The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.’

 On another sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him to see whether he would cure on the sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him. Even though he knew what they were thinking, he said to the man who had the withered hand, ‘Come and stand here.’ He got up and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, ‘I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?’ After looking around at all of them, he said to him, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He did so, and his hand was restored. But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.