Today we recall the life and ministry
of St. Francis of Assisi, perhaps one of the best known saints. He was born in the town of Assisi in
1182. Francis was the son of a wealthy
merchant, who lived a care free life, partying, and spending money. Then he went away to war. In one of the battles,
most of the troops from Assisi were butchered. Only those wealthy enough to
expect to be ransomed were taken prisoner. Francis was taken prisoner and chained
in a harsh, dark dungeon. Francis never
lost his happy manner, and after a year in the dungeon, he was ransomed.
Strangely, the experience did not seem to change him. Francis started his partying
with as much joy and abandon as he had before the battle.
Even through all of that,
Francis wanted glory. Then there was a call for knights for the Fourth Crusade. Francis thought he had a chance to achieve
his dream for glory in battle. His
father gave him a suit of armor and a horse.
However, Francis never got farther than a day’s ride from Assisi. Francis had a dream in which God told him that
he had it all wrong and told him to return home. Francis turned around and went
back to Assisi. Francis, who wanted
nothing more than to be liked, found himself humiliated, laughed at, and called
a coward.
Francis’ conversion did not
happen overnight. God had waited for him for 25; now Francis waited. He spent time
in prayer. He went off to a cave and wept for his sins. Sometimes God’s grace
overwhelmed him with joy.
Francis who lived a life of
privilege, was riding through the countryside, and met up with a leper. Francis
was repelled by the leper’s appearance and the smell. But Francis kissed the hand of the leper. When
his kiss of peace was returned, Francis was filled with joy. As he rode off, he
turned around for a last wave, and saw that the leper had disappeared. Francis
always looked upon this moment as an encounter with God.
The rest is well known. Francis became one of the most well known and
beloved saints of the Church.
Let us pray: Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant your
people grace gladly to renounce the vanities of this world; that, following the
way of blessed Francis, we may for love of you delight in your whole creation
with perfect joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Please remember the
Pearson and Doyle families today they celebrate the Liturgy of the Resurrection
for Bishop Doyle’s father-in-law, Fred Pearson, who died earlier this
week. Fred, who is now in the presence
of Almighty God, lived his life as Christ’s faithful servant, raising a
wonderful family with his wife, Mary, and serving the Episcopal Church as a
faithful lay person. Let us pray: O God,
who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death, and
brought life and immortality to light: Grant that your servant Fred, being
raised with him, may know the strength of his presence, and rejoice in his
eternal glory; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for
ever and ever. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
This is the last weekend of the 4th Annual
Art Show. If you or your friends have not seen it, please come and invite your
friends.
This Saturday, 6 October, Jeff Fisher will be
ordained bishop to serve as the Suffragan Bishop in the Diocese of Texas.
The Adult
Christian Education series on the Lord’s Prayer continues this Sunday. Please
join the Bains for this wonderful study.
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List,
especially all of those who are ill, including Patricia.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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