Saints of God…
…the Lord be with you!
In this weekend’s first reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah (20: 10-13), he cries out “I hear the whisperings of many: ‘Terror on every side!’. As I write this, not much has changed in our country or our world. There is terror, and many are frightened. But as every good prophet does, Jeremiah does not leave us with this bad but all too real news. He adds, “But the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion…Sing praise to the Lord, praise the Lord, for he has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the wicked.”
This same message is given to us in today’s Gospel according to Matthew (10: 26-33). Three times Jesus says to the Twelve, “Fear no one; do not be afraid; do not be afraid.” Why? To return to the text, “you are worth more than many sparrows” two of which were sold for two small coins. In other words, in the eyes of our Heavenly Father God, we are of supreme, infinite value.
Perhaps today is a good time to take stock of what or who we are afraid. In my experience as a confessor, I’ve come to understand that most of the time we show our fear through anger (since adults, especially men are taught we should not be afraid). I think the one thing we are all afraid of as human being is death. But even death should hold no fear for us. St. Francis called Death his sister. And through the Resurrection, Jesus destroyed death and shows us the glory of eternal life. As I often remind myself, we don’t stay dead. As Preface 1 for a funeral states, “For your faithful Lord, life is changed, not ended.”
President Franklin Roosevelt stated, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” But fear doesn’t have to have the final word. Today’s readings remind us that “the antidote to fear is faith.” And the fruit of faith is charity. This week let us remind ourselves and others that our Lord Jesus is with us as our champion. He is rescuing us from the powers of all that is wicked. So let us laugh in the face of fear.
– Fr. Steve
The Canticle of the Creatures
by St. Francis of Assisi
Most High, all-powerful,
good Lord,
yours is the praise,
the glory and the honor and every blessing.
To you alone, Most High,
do they belong,
and no one is worthy
to speak your name.
Praised be you, my Lord
with all your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
who is the day through whom
you bring us light.
And he is lovely, shining
with great splendor,
for he heralds you, Most High.
Praised be you, my Lord,
through Sister Moon and Stars.
In heaven you have formed them,
lightsome and precious and fair.
And praised be you, my Lord,
through Brother Wind, through
air and cloud, through calm
and every weather by which
you sustain your creatures.
Praised be you, my Lord,
through Sister Water,
so very useful and humble,
precious and chaste.
Praised be you, my Lord
through Brother Fire,
by whom you light up
the night, and he is
handsome and merry,
robust and strong.
Praised be you, my Lord,
through our Sister, Mother Earth,
who sustains us and directs us
bringing forth all kinds of fruits
and colored flowers and herbs.
Praised be you, my Lord
through those who forgive
for your love
and who bear sickness and trial.
Blessed are those
who endure in peace,
for by you, Most High,
they will be crowned.
Praised be you, my Lord,
through our Sister Bodily Death
from whom no living being
can escape.
How dreadful for those
who die in mortal sin!
How blessed are those she
finds in your most holy will
for the second death
can do them no harm.
O praise and bless my Lord,
thank him and serve him
humbly but grandly!
