Sermon

St. Mary Nanoose Bay

October 4, 2020 The Feast of St. Francis  

Holy One, thank you for the example of your servant, Francis. May we see the world as he did – whole, holy and precious as you created it. Amen.  

Today is the Feast of St. Francis who lived in Italy and died there at age 45 in 1226. He was known as “the little poor one of Christ” for his desire to imitate Christ’s total obedience to God. Born into a wealthy family, he lived the life of the privileged. But when he was twenty, he encountered a leper and was appalled by his own uselessness. His heart was torn open.

Soon after he heard Jesus speaking to him from a painting of the crucifixion at a local church. Much to the chagrin of his family, he renounced his father’s wealth in order to go live with, and care for, the poor and disabled.

And then he received the commission which the risen Jesus gave to his apostles:  “Go, make all nations my disciples.” He began to train his followers for this work – making Jesus truly known and loved among the ordinary people. Out of this movement developed the Order of the Lesser Brethren, commonly known to this day as The Franciscans.  As his movement became an established institution of the church, Francis went his own way to deepen his love for Christ. (adapted from For All the Saints).

Some of you will know Francis as the patron saint of the animals, or as Pope John Paul II proclaimed in 1979 - the patron saint of the environment. He is also the patron saint of merchants. Francis received the stigmata, the wounds of Jesus in his own flesh – with nails wounds on his hands and feet, and a spear-like wound in his right side.

I “met” Francis 8 years ago on a study abroad program in Florence, Italy. For one month, 20 of us and our professors lived and studied in that amazing city, and on weekends would make trips to nearby sites. On one such weekend we arrived in Assisi, the hillside town where Francis was born and lived out his days. While off the beaten track, Assisi is no longer a small town. Perched high on the hill it is a mecca for Christians who come to learn more about this beloved saint. The cathedral clings to the hill, following the contours creating a multi level mammoth building. Just up the street is the Basilica of St. Clare, his friend and follower who founded the Order of Poor Ladies to care for the poor and sick. Upon her death, the name was changed to the Order of St. Clare. How many you have seen Brother Sun, Sister Moon? It’s the story of Francis and Clare’s friendship.           

 I loved strolling through the cobblestone streets and alleys of this medieval town stopping in at churches and small chapels, restaurants and gift shops. It’s a beautiful site with a spiritual energy that is palpable.

Our tour began below the town at Santa Maria degli Angeli where the train station is. With our guide, we entered the huge Basilica in which the home of St. Francis and his followers is, and where Francis died. It’s as if an airport has been built around this tiny stone building with statues and chapels of gold and marble- the stuff that Francis disdained. I was amazed and taken aback by the opulence.

Slowly we followed the stream of visitors to be ushered into the small simple chapel that once was Francis’ home. It held maybe 20 people. Some people knelt at the altar, others stood or sat on the simple pews. A hush came over the people. I felt a over whelming rush of love sweep through my body and I knelt before I lost my balance. I stayed there with all the pores of my body open to this vibration of love pulsing through me. When I “came to,” one of our group was waiting for me and helped me rejoin the group.

The rest of day passed uneventfully enough but there was much to be amazed by. But again, I couldn’t help but feel how Francis would have been appalled by the opulence and almost deification of himself.

We ended the day with a side trip to La Verna, a mountain sanctuary given to Francis by one of his admirers where Francis retreated more and more towards the end of his life, and where he received the stigmata 2 years before he died.  We had a rushed dinner there and visited the chapel where he prayed.

What struck me the most at La Verna was the intense birdsong as we walked to and from the parkade at the perimeter of the property. It reminded me of Francis’ love for all Creation, and particularly for the animals. The more Saint Francis grew in wisdom, the more he saw that all creatures make up one family. And key to his understanding was the Incarnation.

Francis loved the feast of Christmas - that one moment in history in which God entered creation and the Word became flesh. As the birth of Jesus sent shockwaves through the whole fabric of creation, the Word of God not only entered the human family but the whole family of creation. 

With this understanding came his ability to communicate with animals.

There is the famous story of a wolf who was terrorizing the nearby town of Gubbio. After killing the townspeople’s sheep, the wolf became bolder and started attacking and eating the people themselves. The wolf was ferocious and simply couldn’t be killed.  The people were desperate. They knew that Francis spoke to animals so they asked for his help.

Francis came to the town, spoke and prayed with the people, and then went out to find the wolf. The wolf started stalking him and Francis called to him. Long story short, the wolf trusted Francis’ calm authority and came and told him his story. Francis felt compassion for him and they walked together back to the town. Francis assured the townsfolk that not only would the wolf not hurt them or their livestock again, but he would protect them. And the wolf and the townspeople of Gubbio lived peaceably in mutual care for two years until the wolf died. The wolf was buried near the church.

Interesting story, you might say.  But here’s the clincher. In 1872, when that church was being renovated, workers found the skeleton of a large wolf under a slab by the church wall. The wolf was reburied inside the church yard.

When we go out to the Pet Memorial Garden after this service to dedicate it to St. Francis and to the glory of God, you will see the statue of Francis with animals on and close by him. We have built this garden to honour the lives of the animals we have shared our homes with because we understand that we share this wondrous creation. Our pets contribute to our well being; and we to theirs. They provide us, and model for us, unconditional love. And so we give thanks to them and to St. Francis and others who provide us with an inclusive view of Creation and an appreciation for the way in which all life is interconnected and sacred. Amen.