Feast of St Francis of Assisi

A day to recall how a rich young man, pampered with the good life and encrusted with wealth, decided to leave everything and become a beggar. He wanted to follow Lady Poverty. He wanted to live the Gospel. He was disowned by his family; derided by his townsfolk; scorned by his peers; suspected by the Church ... and all he ever wanted was to be free like the birds of the air, to be joyful and thankful for the little things in life. To be simple, unencumbered and Christ-like. Watch this bit from the film "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" by Zeffirelli - the moment of Francis' conversion from riches to a beggar. It makes you think of your own priorities in life.




Sadly on the feastday of our Saint of Peace, more violence in the Holyland. Jewish settlers are suspected of burning a mosque in the West Bank. Tensions are high. Then clashes between secular and ultra-orthodox Jews because the latter want segregated streets and public transport for men and women. Parts of the ultra-orthodox district has been cordoned off and traffic restricted. In the light of all these disturbances, it is good to hear from voices from the Israeli side speaking candidly of their (in)experience during the wars that caused so much lost of lives. http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/features/we-were-supposed-to-enter-quietly-instead-we-threw-grenades-1.317038  But I would add, this is only half the story. Let's hear some brave voices from the Palestinian side of the horrors they caused. All the fear and suspicion that lies at the root of these wars; the attachment to property and material goods the source of all these unhappiness; all the so-called technology and philosophy to justify self-interest over others .... why? why? look at the birds of the air ... they are content with only little and yet they are joyful and free.

From the same film, Francis and his beggars meet the Pope (part 1).


part 2


St Francis, pray for us miserable sinners.