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n our class, God in the World, we are talking about the ways in which we see God in the world. Always our question returns to “Where is God in all of this?” As a result, we also look at the spiritual disciplines and people who best lived those disciplines in the past or represent the life of a loving God in today’s society.
Our church member, Bonnie Steckleburg shared information with us last week about ways we can conserve energy. As a result, this Sunday, April – 24, 2016, we will be looking at St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis is one of the best known and best loved saints of all time because of his love of creation. We started last Sunday’s class with this well-known poem.
THE CANTICLE OF BROTHER SUN by Francis of Assisi
Yours are the praises, the glory, the honor, and all blessing.
To You alone, Most High, do they belong,
and no man is worthy to mention Your name.Praised be You, my Lord, with all your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who is the day and through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor;
and bears a likeness of You, Most High One.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
in heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind,
and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather
through which You give sustenance to Your creatures.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,
which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night
and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth,
who sustains and governs us,
and who produces varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon for Your love
and bear infirmity and tribulation.
Blessed are those who endure in peace
for by You, Most High, they shall be crowned.
Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death,
from whom no living man can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin.
Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will,
for the second death shall do them no harm.
Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks
and serve Him with great humility.
For more information on St. Francis, please visit these sites:
The Christian History Institute
Christianity Today – moversandshakers
Our class is one of discussion and meets at 9:30 a.m. in the Campus Ministry Room of the church. All are welcome!