"...Let Me Sow Love"

~~~ Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi ~~~

"Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words."

 

~~~ Job 19: 21-27 ~~~ Psalm 27 ~~~ Luke 10: 1-12 ~~~

 

St. Francis forfeited his rightful inheritance to embrace the poverty of God.

The result was abundance from God beyond his imagination.

St. Francis is also known for his love of animals and nature.

He is often depicted surrounded by birds and other animals.

 

"Lord make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love"

 

He continues to be one of the most popular saints.

In our world today it is fitting that we be reminded of our role

to be models of peace.

The unconditional love and care that we extend to our beloved pets

is also what we should radiate to our brothers and sisters.

 

"...Oh, would that my words were written down!
Would that they were inscribed in a record:
That with an iron chisel and with lead
they were cut in the rock forever!"

 

Francis like Job responded to God's call to follow him.

Both men recognized God at work in their lives.

Both men were consumed with longing for God.

Francis found God in ministering to the poor.

Francis found God in all of creation.

 

I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord

in the land of the living.

 

St. Francis was able to incorporate this psalm into his inner most being.

He was truly able to see goodness all around him

'in the land of the living'.

 

 

 

What if heaven is filled with only what you noticed

and appreciated in nature?

What if heaven is all of creation worshiping and

offering praise to God forever?

What if our blessings were given to us in proportion

to the poorest little one we ministered too?

 

Let all creatures great and small give praise to God.

 

"Let everything that lives and breathes give praise to the Lord."

Psalm 150:6

 

Recognizing all of the goodness of creation is also praising God

for his goodness toward us.

Even that which we create in our lives

 is a manifestation of that same goodness.

 

I am inspired, as always, by Paul's words as he writes

to his friend Timothy...

"...Everything created by God is good,

and nothing is to be rejected when received with thanksgiving,

for it is made holy by the invocation of God in prayer."

1 Tim 4:4-5

 

St. Francis, teach us to see the goodness of God in all of creation.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us.

Give your pets some special TLC today recognizing

their Creator is the same Creator who made you.