John 1:27
He is the One
Who comes after me,The straps of His sandalsI am not worthy to untie.
“It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.”
“Preach the Bible at all times, if necessary, use words.”
St. Francis never sought to elevate action over speaking
in the task of bringing the Gospel
in the task of bringing the Gospel
Neither did he believe the Gospel was only a message to be communicated.
Francis recognized that the Gospel was all consuming, the work of God to restore all of Creation
Unto Himself for His glory. Francis embraced the truth, authority of the Gospel, he proclaimed with his mouth was given authority by the nature and character of the life he led. And in the same way, he knew, in spite of his own failings (and that of other Christians), the proclaimed message of hope and love would find fertile soil in the hearts of others, and so His Gospel must be proclaimed
Huffington Post, Jamie Arpin-Ricci
Hebrews 1:3
Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.
Why study St. Francis today?
Mark 16:15
New International Version
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel
to all creation.
English Standard Version
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel
to the whole creation.
Berean Standard Bible
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel
to every creature.
Berean Literal Bible
And He said to them, "Having gone into all the world, proclaim the gospel to all the creation.
King James Bible
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to
every creature.
New King James Version
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and
preach the gospel to every creature.
New American Standard Bible
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and
preach the gospel to all creation.
NASB 1995
And He said to them, “Go into all the world
and preach the gospel to all creation.
NASB 1977
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to
all creation.
Amplified Bible
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all
creation.
Christian Standard Bible
Then he said to them, “Go
into all the world
and preach the gospel to all creation.
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then He said to them, “Go into all the world and
preach the gospel to the whole creation.
American Standard Version
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach
the gospel to the whole creation.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he said to them, “Go to the entire world and preach my Good News
in all creation.”
This Nation is suffering. 1 in 3 say regular life is hard to afford.
The one situation that is life and death, in our Nation,
is happening in the neighborhoods and in the Animal Shelters. More and more of neighborhoods on Social Media are finding released pets. Animal Shelters are having to put animals to sleep.
What we do to the least of society...
Matthew 25:40-45
40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45
Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’
I'm not sure people get over letting an animal go. They either become more loving to the animal kingdom or more aloof.
What proof do we have about Animals and God?
When the Ark was afloat, the animals were two by two. Ancient Persia has the same story. And this led to God making a Covenant of Peace with His Good Creation. His Salvation covered the animals. How likely is a Neolithic man going to make up the Creator of All, wanted animals to be in His Covenant of Salvation?
The Book of Revelation tells us Horses are part of God's Eternal Kingdom and for Elijah as well.
Foster, Foster, Foster! For Fun, Fun!The Lord tells us in Proverbs, a good man does not muzzle Oxen. They are allowed to graze during their work. We can't take animals and remove them from their jobs and say we are doing them a favor. Dogs are born knowing fellowship. A dog alone is. A cat not allowed to be outside... well then let them cruise the attic. A cat has a job. We had voles until we recently adopted two orange kittens.
Our dogs think the cats are hilarious. Saturday, they watched him climb a tree, with his jingle bell collar, like a drunken toddler. The cat was bewildered when our Poodle girl, put her rear in the air and decided to play with him. Kisses happen.
Dogs have a job. They are alarms. This place is secure. And beware, they are successful. Amazon and Fedex drop what they are doing and flee. Raccoons don't live in the attics where cat litter is placed. Adolescent dogs are not destructive during the day when they have some pal to continue their puppy fellowship.
Pet food is expensive. Toddler Gummy Vitamins are not. Animals with a pack have exercise and few health cares. Exercise, exercise, exercise. Hens and eggs are also food producers. Leftovers.
Elderly dogs don't deserve to have any disloyalty. They might not have the most Arthritic meds, but they have all they need with their family.
Blessed are the Merciful, they shall receive Mercy!!!
Teach your children well!
Let all of Creation, Sing with me Now!
Everyone Loves St. Francis of Assisi
Windows into Heaven
Saint Francis and his companions were making a trip through the Spoleto Valley near the town of Bevagna. Suddenly, Saint Francis spotted a great number of birds of all varieties ' doves, crows and others. Swept up in the moment, Saint Francis left his friends in the road and ran after the birds, who patiently waited for him. He greeted them in his usual way, expecting them to scurry off into the air as he spoke. But they didn't move.
Filled with awe, he asked them if they would stay awhile and listen to the Word of God. He said to them: "My brother and sister birds, you should praise your Creator and always love him: He gave you feathers for clothes, wings to fly and all other things that you need. It is God who made you noble among all creatures, making your home in the air. Without sowing or reaping, you receive God's guidance and protection."
At this the birds began to spread their wings, stretch their necks and gaze at the saint, rejoicing and praising God in a wonderful way according to their nature. Saint Francis then walked right through the middle of them, turned around and came back, touching their heads and bodies with his tunic.
Then he gave them his blessing, making the sign of the cross over them. At that they flew off and Saint Francis, rejoicing and giving thanks to God, went on his way.
Later, Saint Francis wondered aloud to his companions why he had never preached to birds before. And from that day on, he made it his habit to solicitously invoke all birds, all animals and reptiles to praise and love their Creator. And many times during his life there were remarkable events of Saint Francis speaking to the animals. There was even a time when he quieted a flock of noisy birds that were interrupting a religious ceremony! Much to the wonder of all present, the birds remained quiet until Francis' sermon was complete.
In 1228 Francis was declared a saint by Pope Gregory IX, who laid the foundation stone for the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi. According to legend, the doves at the Basilica arrived as soon as the foundation stone was laid and have roosted there ever since.
The Rabbit
One day, a brother brought a rabbit who had been caught in a trap to St. Francis. The saint advised the rabbit to be more alert in the future, then released the rabbit from the trap and set it on the ground to go its way. But the rabbit hopped back up onto Saint Francis' lap, desiring to be close to the saint.
Saint Francis took the rabbit a few steps into the woods and set it down. But it followed Saint Francis back to his seat and hopped on his lap again! Finally, Saint Francis asked one of his fellow friars to take the rabbit far into the woods and let it go.
Saint Francis and the Animals, from Monastery icons Tamed by the Spirit of Peace
While Saint Francis was staying in the town of Gubbio he learned of a wolf so ravenous that it was not only killing and eating animals, but people, too. The people took up arms and went after it, but those who encountered the wolf perished at its sharp teeth. Villagers became afraid to leave the city walls.
Saint Francis had pity on the people and decided to go out and meet the wolf. He was desperately warned by the people, but he insisted that God would take care of him. A brave friar and several peasants accompanied Francis outside the city gate. But soon the peasants lost heart and said they would go no farther.
Saint Francis and his companion began to walk on. Suddenly the wolf, jaws agape, charged out of the woods at the couple. Saint Francis made the Sign of the Cross toward it. The power of God caused the wolf to slow down and to close its mouth.
Then Saint Francis called out to the creature: "Come to me, Brother Wolf. In the name of Christ, I order you not to hurt anyone." At that moment, the wolf lowered its head and lay down at Saint Francis' feet, meek as a lamb.
Saint Francis explained to the wolf that he had been terrorizing the people, killing not only animals, but humans who are made in the image of God. "Brother Wolf," said Francis, "I want to make peace between you and the people of Gubbio. They will harm you no more and you must no longer harm them. All past crimes are to be forgiven."
The wolf showed its assent by moving its body and nodding its head. Then to the absolute surprise of the gathering crowd, Saint Francis asked the wolf to make a pledge. As Saint Francis extended his hand to receive the pledge, so the wolf extended its front paw and placed it into the saint's hand. Then Saint Francis commanded the wolf to follow him into town to make a peace pact with the townspeople. The wolf meekly followed Saint Francis.
By the time they got to the town square, everyone was there to witness the miracle. With the wolf at his side, Saint Francis gave the town a sermon on the wondrous and fearful love of God, calling them to repent from all their sins. Then he offered the townspeople peace, on behalf of the wolf. The townspeople promised in a loud voice to feed the wolf. Then Saint Francis asked the wolf if he would live in peace under those terms. He bowed his head and twisted his body in a way that convinced everyone he accepted the pact. Then once again, the wolf placed its paw in Saint Francis' hand as a sign of the pact.
From that day on, the people kept the pact they had made. The wolf lived for two years among the townspeople, going from door to door for food. It hurt no one and no one hurt it. Even the dogs did not bark at it. When the wolf finally died of old age, the people of Gubbio were sad. The wolf's peaceful ways had been a living reminder to them of the wonders, patience, virtues and holiness of Saint Francis. It had been a living symbol of the power and providence of the living God.
Saint Francis and the Lambs
Saint Francis had great love and respect for the sanctity of all life, seeing all creation as his brothers and sisters in the Lord. On one occasion he came upon a merchant carrying two small lambs to market. Moved by the plaintive bleating of the lams, he caressed them and asked the peasant, "Why do you torment my brothers the lambs?" When he learned in horror that the man intended to sell them for slaughter, he declared, "That will not happen!" and bought them from the man. At Portiuncula, for many years, he had a tame lamb which followed him everywhere, even into the church, where its bleating mingled with the chants of the brethren.
At another time in Rome, Saint Francis procured a lamb for himself, which upon his departure he gave to the lady Jacopa. The lamb lived in her house many years and used to follow her to mass in the mornings. Indeed, in its eagerness to go to church, it would often wake its mistress with friendly buttings of the head when she was late it getting up. Out of this lamb's wool Jacopa spun and wove the habit which in the autumn of 1226 she took with her to Portiuncula, and in which Saint Francis died.
The Donkey Who Wept
It is said that on his deathbed St. Francis thanked his donkey for carrying and assisting him throughout his life, and his donkey wept.
Abba, Father
Following the way of Jesus,
we may for love of You delight
in your whole creation with perfectness of joy.
O God, you have made us and all living things.
You are even more
wonderful than what You have made.
We thank You, Father, for giving us these animals who bring us joy.
As you take care of us, so also we ask Your help
that we might take care of those who trust us to look
after them.
By doing this, we share in your own love for all creation.
We ask this in Jesus' name.
Amen.
Prayer of St. Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light; and
where there is sadness, joy.
O, God, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen in Jesus Christ.
Abba, Father,
You are the Shepherd of the Sheep
Overseer of our Souls.
Jesus Christ, Your Son,Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree,
so that we might die to sin
and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”
We pray for Your Love and Help.
You saved us, not because of righteous things we had done,
but because of His mercy.
Jesus saved us through the washing of rebirth
and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
We Look to You,
You created the world. Your Light is the radiance of the glory of God
and the exact imprint of Your nature,
and You uphold the universe by the Word of You power.
Cover us in the Grace and Mercy
in the
Highest Name of Jesus Christ.
AMEN.
Psalms 36:7
How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
Daniel 4:3
How great are His signs, and how mighty His wonders!
His kingdom is an eternal kingdom
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
Yay Jesus
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