Become an instrument of peace
Rev. Darren M. Henson
Friday, October 13, 2006
The month of October kicks off with a festive celebration of St. Francis, Oct. 4. For Catholics and many Christians, this feast is especially unusual and memorable for not only are the faithful blessed, but animals and pets receive a generous blessing!
Francis’ life story is an interesting one. He was born into a wealthy Italian family. As a young man he gave up all claim to their riches. The movie “Brother Sun, Sister Moon,” portrays a famous scene from his life, where Francis stands in the town square, disavows his family and wealth, and then dramatically sheds all of his clothing as a radical statement of his complete dependence upon God, and a radical communion with all of nature.
He set out to live the Gospel in a new, invigorating and real way. And so Francis was determined to live in poverty, joyfully accepting the abundance and blessedness of the fruits that God provided in the nature around him. The rule of peace would guide his life.
The Feast of St. Francis is a good reminder of our vocation as Christians to live lives of peace. St. Francis showed in a dramatic way that peace is not just getting along with one another. He didn’t get along with his family. They disowned him as he joyfully took up this radical Gospel life.
Rather, the peace called for by the scriptures is a peace that goes beyond politeness. It requires a whole harmonious integration with all living things. The depth of Francis’ zestful peace was so profound that an ordinary bird came to rest on his hand, as the story goes. The wild animals were attracted to the sense of harmony that went out from St. Francis.
When deep in prayer before a cross at an abandoned field chapel, St. Francis received the words from Christ who said, “Build up my house.” St. Francis did this though his commitment to non-violence and the spread of transcending peace. He built a house for Christ in a similar way as his Lord, by embracing the cross and forgiving his enemies.
St. Francis is a saint for the 21st century, and a model for Christian living. Violence is everywhere in our human family. In recent days the news reported school shootings, new testing of nuclear devices, concealed weapons, random violence, and more. St. Francis, imitating Christ, shows us a distinctive way of living. Such unloving acts are countered by embracing the cross.
It is on the cross where Christ takes in the violence of others and refuses to return violence. Instead, Christ swallows it all and drowns it in mercy. Like Christ, St. Francis shared such a deep communion with all of nature, that any violence and evil that came his way was drowned out by this enormous ocean of peace and harmony that consumed his entire life.
Parishioners from Sacred Heart Catholic Church joined with friends at St. Andrew’s Episcopal to bless one another and our pets on Oct. 4. It was a tiny glimpse into the vision of God’s kingdom, where people of different walks of life came together to share prayers of peace. And we were not alone. We were joined by living creatures and the beauty of an autumn sky.
Recalling God’s original dream that all creation live in harmony is our prayer. St. Francis’ own prayer gives words for us not only to place on our lips, but words for us live:
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.
F “Sunday Sermon” is a forum for Emporia area ministers to share their sermons, thoughts and observations. This week’s sermon is from the Rev. Darren Henson of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.