Some Simple Reflections

A Day of Abundant Living

What a wonderful Sunday, a day of peace a day of Sabbath, a day of beauty, worship and joy. The day began with a beautiful pre-dawn drive from Titus to Albertville where we at Christ Church completed our preparations for “Bring a Friend Sunday.” Members of the congregation invited friends, real and “virtual,” (FB, Twitter, invisible) to join us for worship and fellowship. We were joined by friends from our Sister Church, Epiphany, in Guntersville, Alabama as well as by family members, and one person even brought a young man who works at her Gym. The music was wonderful, the Holy Eucharist always joins us with Jesus and one another and the after worship food and fellowship was great. Thanks to all who made this day possible.

On leaving church I passed by the Assisted Living facility where my mother lives and had Sunday Dinner with her and some of her friends. Good conversation, good food, and a time to share  memories as well as conversations about the Braves, the Major League Playoffs (without the Braves), and plans for some to watch the Presidents Cup Golf Tournament.

On down to Guntersville to The Whole Back Stage to enjoy the wonderful musical “Black Tie Broadway,” performed by a cast of 75 very talented men, women and children. I actually got to meet in person a long time FB friend who was a cast member. What a wonderful blessing. Virtual friends are good; real, live ones are even better. The Play was a review of some of the greatest Broadway music of the past 75 years. Still four shows left this coming weekend. Don’t miss it.

No day would be complete without learning something new, and had a wonderful learning experience that may seem simple to you technologically savvy folks out there. I videoed a class project for a friend on my phone and emailed it to him, yes emailed it. Not only can I send photos from my phone but now I know how to send videos as well.

I ended the day with a peaceful three mile walk, stopping by Foodland to pick up two cans of tomato soup and a bag of Sour Cream and Cheddar Chips for supper. Truly a good day.

“This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

Blessings and abundance to all!

St. Francis, Pope Francis, the United States and, oh yes, Jesus

As we approach the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the 13^th century son of a wealthy Italian cloth merchant, who abandoned his father and his wealth and founded the Franciscan Order of Friars, the Poor Clares order for women and the Third order of Franciscans for men and women, married and single, it is fitting that we reflect on the visit to the United States by Pope Francis. Francis takes his name from this Saint who lived a life of simplicity, poverty and humility as he followed Jesus’ call to “rebuild His Church.”

I believe first off that the Pope’s visit to the United States opened the eyes and hearts of many Americans to God’s presence in the world, to the presence of the Holy Spirit. I believe this is true whether one is Catholic or Protestant, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu as well as many other persons who believe in a creator or creative power. I even sense that some unbelievers are impressed with the Pope’s presence, ministry and message in the world.

I am excited that Pope Francis spent five days in the United States, that he visited the centers of political, financial and spiritual power in our country. I agree with the Pope on parts of his message such as climate change and the dangers of unbridled capitalism, and disagree with other parts such as the blessing of same sex relationships, and while I am not a fan of abortion, I do believe it is a woman’s decision and not the church’s or the government’s decision. I doubt that any person agrees with all that the Pope believes about politics, religion and the world.

What excites me about Francis’ visit is that, like Jesus, he does not let the opinions or the actions of others prevent him from proclaiming, by word and action, God’s truth as he understands it. As he proclaims his truth, his message, many Americans get both excited and angry, often at the same time. When the Pope talks about Global Warming or the Economy, and capital punishment liberal Americans feel that he is on their side. When he preaches against abortion and same-sex marriage, conservatives believe that he is with them. What excites me in all of this is the Pope’s message that mercy overcomes sin. The Pope still believes that homosexual relationships should not be sanctioned by the church but welcomes gay people into the fellowship. He believes that abortion is a sin, but has instructed his bishops that women who have abortions can be forgiven.

Like Jesus, the Pope speaks truth to power and is willing to face the consequences that go with speaking this truth. “With the power of his humility, he communicated the message of the gospel that speaks not only to our inward spiritual needs, but also to the sociopolitical realities of our daily lives. His message challenged both conservatives and progressives.”(Carlos Malave, Sorjourners)

In his historic visit to Congress, Pope Francis declared, among other things:

“The fight against poverty and hunger must be fought constantly and on many fronts, especially its causes.

“Our efforts must aim at restoring hope, righting wrongs, maintaining commitments, and thus promoting the well-being of individuals and of peoples.”

“In recent centuries, millions of people came to this land to pursue their dream of building a future in freedom. We, the people of this continent, are not fearful of foreigners, because most of us were once foreigners. I say this to you as the son of immigrants, knowing that so many of you are also descended from immigrants.”

Not all members of congress agreed with all the Pope had to say, though he did get an ovation for his proclamation of the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”(Matthew 7:12) If his visit accomplished no more than the sometimes living of the Golden Rule by the congress and people of the United States, then we have all been blessed.

The Pope affirmed at Mass at Madison Square Garden, that, “knowing that Jesus still walks our streets, that he is part of the lives of his people, that he is involved with us in one vast history of salvation, fills us with hope.”

All I can add to this is, “Amen! So be it!

St. Francis of Assisi, Some Reflections

Saint Francis of Assisi lived from 1181 until 1226. He was born in Italy and founded the Order of Friars Minor (the Franciscan Order) for men, Poor Clares for women, and the Third Order of St. Francis for men and women not able to live the lives of itinerant preachers. These orders exist to this day and Lay Persons, married or single may be members of the Third Order. Francis was the son of a wealthy cloth merchant and grew up as a lover of music and pleasure and fine things.  His father was not thrilled by Francis’ spiritual conversation which happened while Francis was off at war in 1201 through 1203, during which time he spent a year as a prisoner of war. After his conversation he became disillusioned toward the world that surrounded him.

His disillusionment is demonstrated by the story told of a beggar who came and asked for alms while Francis was concluding a business deal on behalf of his father. When he concluded the deal he ran after the beggar and gave him everything he had in his pocket. His father was less than happy with this event. His father attempted to change his mind with threats and beatings. Francis finally renounced his father, publicly laying aside even the garments he was wearing.

Francis claims to have had a mystical vision of Jesus Christ in the country chapel of San Damiano, just outside of Assisi, in which the Icon of Christ Crucified said to him, “Francis, Francis, go and repair My house, which, as you can see is falling into ruins. “ He took this to mean the ruined church in which he was praying, and so he sold some cloth from his father’s store to assist the priest there for this purpose. Later, Francis decided that Christ also meant for him to repair “the church, the body of Christ in the World.”

It has been argued that no one else in History was as dedicated as Francis to imitate the life, and carry out the work of Christ. Francis had a love of the Eucharist and the Stations of the Cross, even though the latter brought him great sorrow. He and his followers celebrated and even venerated poverty, and he believed that nature itself was the mirror of God. In his “Canticle of the Sun” he mentioned Brother Sun, Sister Moon, the wind, water, and Sister Death. He considered himself no friend of Christ if he did not cherish those for whom Christ died.

Because of his love of Creation, he is known as the Patron Saint of animals and the environment. It is for this reason that many Roman Catholic and Episcopal Churches hold ceremonies blessing animals on the Sunday closest to his feast day of October 4. 

As we approach his feast day on Sunday, I leave you with one of Francis’ most profound writings, Canticle of the Sun

Most high, all powerful, all good Lord!
All praise is Yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing.

To You, alone, Most High, do they belong.
No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your name.

Be praised, my Lord, through all Your creatures,
especially through my lord Brother Sun,
who brings the day; and You give light through him.
And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor!
Of You, Most High, he bears the likeness.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars;
in the heavens You have made them bright, precious and beautiful.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
and clouds and storms, and all the weather,
through which You give Your creatures sustenance.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Water;
she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom You brighten the night.
He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.

Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth,
who feeds us and rules us,
and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of You;
through those who endure sickness and trial.

Happy those who endure in peace,
for by You, Most High, they will be crowned.

Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Bodily Death,
from whose embrace no living person can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin!
Happy those she finds doing Your most holy will.
The second death can do no harm to them.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks,
and serve Him with great humility.