O God, you ever delight to reveal yourself
to the childlike and lowly of heart.
Grant that following the example of the blessed Francis,
we may count the wisdom of the world as foolishness
and know only Jesus Christ and Him crucified,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and for ever
Common Worship collect for the Feast of St Francis – 4th October
When I was a small girl, before housing estates arrived there were green fields and in those green fields horses, but mostly cows, and in one of them a bull. We avoided crossing that field for obvious reasons. Standing safely on the other side of the fence, we admired him though he was so strong he seemed to me, always calm and placid quite unlike the reputation our parents gave him… but then better safe than sorry.
What wisdom children have is received from their parents, grandparents and older siblings. Addressing our Father God the collect says “you ever delight to reveal yourself to the childlike and lowly of heart” Yes, I think that St Francis born, John Bernadone in 1181 must have had a heart that delighted God who finding such a listening, obedient heart gave him great insight into those things which angels desire to look into.
Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” (Berean Bible 1 Corinthians 3.19)
Francis took delight in being a “fool” joyfully singing the praises of His God and King, joy in being a little one amongst all created things. Truly the joy of the Lord was his strength (Nehemiah 8,10)
Wisdom from St Francis
“If you were so clever and wise that you possessed all science, and if you knew how to interpret every form of language and to investigate heavenly things minutely, you could not glory in all this, because one demon has known more of heavenly things and still knows more of earthly things than all men … In like manner, if you were handsomer and richer than all others, and even if you could work wonders and put the demons to flight, all these things are hurtful to you and in nowise belong to you, and in them you cannot glory; that, however, in which we may glory is in our infirmities, and in bearing daily the holy cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Admonitions, 5
Day by day, dear Lord help us also to take up the Cross and to follow our Lord Jesus Christ, and to it, unselfishly, preferring simple things before riches, others before ourselves.
Amen
Posted for Valerie a friend, and a friend of the animals
tidesandtidings 