Pastoral Letter
Dear Friends,
I have found myself thinking a great deal about St. Francis of Assisi this last week. I think it was because I briefly met a Franciscan monk recently, and it was just after I had sung St. Francis'lovely hymn 'All Creatures of our God and King', and I was deeply touched by the coincidence.
It has been said that St. Francis loved all of God's creatures and had a special relationship with them all. St Francis discovered the simpler way of life. For him, being at one with the world about him and with his fellow men and women was the most important thing of all. In the words of his hymn:-
Let all things their Creator bless,
and worship God in humbleness,
O praise him, alleluia.
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
and praise the Spirit, Three in On:
His father was very wealthy, and St. Francis wanted for nothing as he grew up, but then he angered his father by starting to give away all his money and possessions to the poor. For St. Francis material possessions and money were of no importance at all. All he cared about was the plight of the poor, and so he gave to them all that he had.But St. Francis did more than that. He loved people from the depth of his heart. It is said that on one journey on horseback he noticed a beggar standing at the side of the road, who was obviously suffering from leprosy. St Francis got down from his horse, gave the beggar what he had, and then hugged him. It was a huge act of love, and, as he hugged him, it is said that he saw the face of Christ in the face of the beggar.
St Francis teaches us so much about the meaning of the words of Jesus Christ. Jesus said:-
Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable are you than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Luke 12:24-31)
We have finally got a government after a protracted period of uncertainty after the general election, and I hope that the new approach to politics promised by the new prime minister will ultimately cause the country to reassess the values by which we live. I hope and pray that we might turn our backs on the mighty god of materialism, and concentrate instead on being a more caring nation, whose priorities are being at one with each other, with our God and with the world about us. As St Francis says in his lovely hymn:-
And all who are of tender heart,
forgiving others, take your part,
O praise him, alleluia!
All who long pain and sorrow bear,
praise God and cast on him your care
May God bless you all,