A Homily given by Fr. Ben Jones; Curate,

St. George’s Anglican Church, Raleigh, NC;

on The Commemoration of the Feast of St. Francis; A.D. 2009.

“Resolving Conflicts”

+In the name of God the Father, and of God the Son, and of God the Holy Ghost, Amen.

The Gospel according to St. Matthew 6:33.

“But seek you first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

We are here today to commemorate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with a service for the Blessing of the Animals.  St. Francis is the Patron Saint of the animals not because of a simple interest in animals, but because of his special attention to them as a part of the Creation of God.  There are many accounts of St. Francis preaching to animals and blessing animals which he sought as an occasion to give praise to his Almighty God.  He considered that if the simplest creatures of God’s Creation could be so endowed by God’s loving care, then we as the creation of man and woman would certainly be recipients of the manifold grace of God.  St. Francis humbled himself to take advantage of any and every opportunity to praise the Creator in all of His Creation.

Perhaps the most famous story of St. Francis is when he tamed the ferocious wolf of Gubbio.  While Francis was staying in the town of Gubbio he learned of a wolf so ravenous that it was not only attacking and killing animals, but the people of the village as well.  The people took up means to run off the wolf, to trap it, and to ultimately kill it.  With the people of the village getting attacked, they soon became afraid to leave the city walls.

Francis had a calling from God to help not only the people of the village, but the wolf as well.  He was desperately warned by the people of the danger that lie outside the village walls.  Francis prayed to His Lord for protection.  A brave Friar and a few of the villagers accompanied Francis outside the city gate, however, they soon became terrified and went back to the village leaving Francis alone to meet the wolf.  Francis was not alone.  He had God by his side by his faithfulness.

It wasn’t long before Francis and the wolf met.  The wolf charged out of the woods, jaws wide open and snarling at the prospect of a meal.  Francis immediately stood still and made the sign of the Cross towards the attacking wolf.  The power of God caused the wolf to cease the attack and to close its mouth.  Francis called out to the wolf, “Come to me, Brother Wolf.  I wish you no harm.”  At that moment the wolf lowered its head and lay down at the feet of St. Francis, just as meek as a lamb.  Francis continued telling the wolf that he had been terrorizing the villagers and their animals.  Francis told the wolf that he wanted to make peace between him and the villagers.  They will not attempt to harm you any more, and you must not attempt to harm them any longer as well.  All of your past wrongs are forgiven.  The wolf approved by moving its body and nodding its head and placing its paw in the hand of St. Francis.  Together they headed back to the village.

As they approached the village, St. Francis instructed the people not to fear the wolf.  At the surprise and astonishment of the villagers, St. Francis caused the wolf to make a pledge.  As he extended his hand to receive the pledge, the wolf extended its front paw and placed it in the Saints hand.  After the pledge, St. Francis invited the wolf to follow him into the village to make peace with the villagers.  The wolf meekly followed St. Francis.

By the time Francis and the wolf walked to the village square, everyone was there to witness a miracle.  Francis offered the villagers peace on behalf of the wolf.  The villagers promised to care for the wolf; to feed it and to give it shelter and a loving community in which to live.  Francis then asked the wolf if it would live in peace with the villagers under those terms.  The wolf bowed his head and twisted his body in a way that could be described as a curtsy, which convinced the villagers that he accepted their promise.  As a further sign to confirm the pledge, he placed his paw in Francis’ hand.

From that day on the wolf and the people kept the pledge.  The wolf lived for two years among the villagers before dying of old age.  The people of Gubbio were very sad.  There is a monument in the village that depicts villagers present as the wolf and St. Francis embrace in a hug.

The wolf’s peaceful ways are a constant reminder to us of the patience, the virtues, and the holiness of St. Francis.  Hopefully we have a better understanding of St. Francis through the stories of his encounters with the creatures of God’s Creation and as well his humility exhibited through his virtuous life in service to our Almighty God.  St. Francis sets an example to us of a living sacrifice to the power and providence of the living God.

AMEN.

+

“And Now unto God the Father,

God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost;

Be ascribed all Might,

Majesty, Power, and Dominion,

most justly due this day,

both now, and forever,

world without end,

Amen.”