Saint Francis of Assisi was a man of heroic faith. He preached by word and deed the Good News of Jesus Christ wherever he went and to anyone that would listen to him, including animals and nature.
What would drive a person to do such things? Would you believe me when I say, it was because of love?
Love is a word that doesn't necessarily carry a lot of weight to it anymore in our society as we tend associate it with things we enjoy. Take for example, I love my phone, I love my car, I love my sweatshirt, I love a good burger, etc.
Those things we may say we love, although we enjoy them very much, we may fid that they are things we would not be so willing to give our lives away for. But, when it comes to relationships with others people and living creatures, that becomes a different story, as a real, reciprocated relationship can be fostered in which we find it easier to give of ourselves to another.
In that same way Saint Francis has come to love our Lord, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has let His face shine upon Saint Francis and through that encounter, Saint Francis had decided to give of his whole life to and for love of God, finding God's loveliness in all of creation.
This morning, Saturday, Oct 3rd at 10am, there will be a Blessing of Animals at the Kennard Street Entrance of the church. Bring any pets/animals you have to be blessed this morning! When we lift up God's creatures in this way, to thank God for the companionship He has given to us through our pets, we give God honor because we recognize the beauty of these creatures that God has given to us.
May we always recall the blessings and love our Lord gives to us when we look upon his animals and all of nature that He has surrounded us in.
Saint Francis and Mary, our Blessed Mother, pray for us!
