Feast of St. Francis
October is a relatively quiet month on the liturgical calendar but there is one event which is noteworthy - the Feast of Saint Francis. This takes place on October 4th and is used to celebrate the eponymous saint. Saint Francis has fascinated me for many years; known for his love of nature and animals, his life is somewhat of an enigma for his time. Francis was born to a well-to-do family in Assisi, Italy in 1181. He would later take his famed vow of poverty sometime around the year 1201. This conversion experience comes after his military career and while he is on the fringe of receiving a share in his family’s inheritance. He would ultimately renounce his family’s wealth; opting for a simpler life with some of God’s forgotten communities, such as lepers. For Francis, reliance on God could never be fully realized so long as there were monetary means present. So, Francis took seriously the teachings’ of Jesus, especially the Beatitudes, weaving it into his theology:
Matt. 5:3-10
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
October is one of my favorite months of the year. There is something about autumn in Tennessee that brings with it the opportunity to slow down, take a hike, sit by a fire, all while being with those we love. As the temperature turns cooler and the days grow shorter we have the privilege to enjoy the mundane practice of simply being. This was Francisican spirituality at its core; to live simply, be Jesus to all those you encounter and “if necessary, use words.” Consider this prayer, known as the Prayer of Saint 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; where there is sadness, joy.
The petition for our Lord to make us an “instrument” is something all believers can appreciate. It’s a methodology which aims at actualizing the Beatitudes that Jesus left with us. It’s not something which must be over-complicated by dogmatic discourse - anyone can be an instrument for the Gospel. The simplicity of the Beatitudes was set forth because of the convoluted rhetoric around faith and piety at the time. Of course, somewhat of a paradox arises as the Beatitudes are only simple if we are able to relinquish control.
Let us make this autumn a time of personal reflection, simplicity, and asking God to mold us into instruments for his word. There is no greater time than the present to surrender and let Christ call us “blessed”. Another season changes, yet God’s word and promises remain the same. Soon we will enter a time called Advent, but for the moment let us simply be here now.
Peace to you,
Rev. Taylor Kibler
