The Compassion of St. Francis
On this day we remember St. Francis (October 4), I am pondering on the ways that he responded to God’s call in that vision he received at the San Damiano Church. While praying, the message was clear:
REPAIR MY CHURCH/REBUILD MY CHURCH.
At first Francis understood the literal meaning and started physical renovations. He later realized that God wanted him to restore the essentials of Jesus’ teachings.
Francis renounced the worldly life and all the trappings of the formal Church of the high middle ages.
He chose to follow Jesus in the truest of ways. He chose a life of humility, simplicity, and poverty. His deep prayerful life led to compassionate responses to the world around him, daring to serve the poor, daring to kiss the leper clean.
The brown-robed friars joined Francis and lived the Way of Love. The Franciscan Order has thrived for 1000 years.
Francis once said:
“Everything that people leave after them in this world is lost, but for their charity and almsgiving they will receive a reward from God.”
As we respond to God’s call to serve in the wake of the tragedy of Hurricane Helene, I invite us all to consider almsgiving to Episcopal Relief & Development. Episcopal Relief & Development is actively working with all the dioceses affected – Western North Carolina, East Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Southwest Florida – to respond to immediate needs and will be with those dioceses with grants as they choose the long-term recovery and rebuilding of their communities.
Should your heart lead you, please consider a donation:
https://support.episcopalrelief.org/hurricane-relief/
Let us pray A Prayer For those Working to Rebuild
Compassionate God, source of all comfort, we pray for the people whose lives have been devastated this hurricane season.
Bring them comfort, we pray.
Protect the vulnerable.
Strengthen the weak.
Keep at bay the spread of disease.
Have mercy on all those working to rebuild.
And may our response to their suffering be generous and bring you praise.
We ask this in Jesus’ name.
— Adapted from Christian Aid, UK
God’s peace,
Judy Q+
