Commemoration of St. Francis of Assisi

Here's a meditation provided by Bob Carlton:



Here's the lyrics of the song:

and the problem is this: we were bought with a kiss,
but the cheek still turned, even when it wasn’t hit.
and i don’t know what to do with a love like that
and i don’t know how to be a love like that
when all the love in the world is right here among us
and hatred too, and so we must choose what our hands will do

where there is pain, let there be grace.
where there is suffering, bring serenity.
for those afraid, help them be brave.
where there is misery, bring expectancy.
and surely we can change something.

and the problem it seems is with you and me,
not the Love who came to repair everything
and i don’t know what to do with a love like that.
and i don’t know how to be a love like that.
when all the love in the world is right here, among us.
and hatred too and so we must choose what our hands will do.

where there is pain, let us bring grace.
where there is suffering, bring serenity.
for those afraid, let us be brave.
where there is misery, let us bring them relief.
and surely we can change something.

-David Crowder*Band, Surely We Can Change, Remedy (2007)

Thanks, Bob.

My favorite story (legend?) about Francis is when the Bishop of Assisi finally dragged Francis before the Pope, so that Francis could ask permission to start a new order.

So there is Francis, barefoot and filthy, standing before the Pope, arrayed in all his finery. The Pope asked, "Tell me, Francis, why I should grant your request to start a new religious order."

Francis replied, "You Holiness, I am not a man of words. I cannot tell you. But I can show you."

And then he danced before the Pope.

He received permission to start a new order.


Let us pray,

Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may for love of you delight in your whole creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, on God, for ever and ever. Amen.

J.