Friday, October 4, 2013

Be free like the lilies and the sparrows: Remembering St. Francis


*photo of Saint Francis taken behind the Old North Church in Boston

Today, Christians around the world commemorate the Saint we know and love as Francis of Assisi. It seems I have always known about St. Francis; I've prayed the prayer attributed to him for as long as I can remember. And as the patron saint of the environment, we often see his likeness keeping vigil in backyard gardens.

However, today, we can remember St. Francis not just as a kindly friar who communed with nature, but as a young man who took seriously the call of God on his life. Born in 1182, the son of a wealthy cloth merchant, Francis spent his early years as a frivolous youth. 

Eventually, though, Francis became disillusioned with his carefree life and began to reflect on its true purpose. As the story goes, one afternoon, Francis heard Christ whispering to him: “Repair my church, which is in ruins.” But an act of charity toward the church outraged his father who disowned him. Francis, though, renounced his father's wealth and devoted himself to serving the poor.

A quote attributed to Francis illustrates his sentiments toward materialism: 
The more stuff we have, the more clubs we need to protect it. Be free like the lilies and the sparrows.

As a missionary, I often wonder how much more we could accomplish as the body of Christ, if we were not so worried about acquiring more stuff. If we were truly free of material concern, like the lilies and the sparrows Francis mentions.

St. Francis sought out the poor, the leper, and other outcasts. He traded a life of wealth for a life of service. He depended on the generosity of others to help those in greater need.

As Stuart and I look forward to returning to Mexico City and reaching out to those in greater need, we too, are depending on the generosity others. We ask you today, to please consider partnering with us in ministry. A one time gift or a monthly commitment will help us reach the marginalized in Mexico.

We would love to share our vision for proclaiming release to the captives of drug addiction and setting at liberty those who are oppressed by the sex trade in Mexico City with your church, your small group, or missions board. Please let us know how we can best serve you.

Blessings,

Stuart & Wendy


Lord, Make me an instrument of your peace.


Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon,

Where there is discord, union,

Where there is doubt, faith,

Where there is error, truth,

Where there is despair, hope,

Where there is sadness, joy,

Where there is darkness, light.


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



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