A Meditation for Francis: Surely We Can Change

In Christian traditions that observe these things, today is the day that people celebrate the life of a man named Francis, who lived in a little village in Italy almost 1,000 years ago.  I have so many connections to this man - I love stories about him, some of my favorite writers are Franciscan and I adore the city in California named for him.

My favorite legend of Francis is that just before he died, he asked that his faithful donkey be brought to his bed-side.  Francis apologized profusely to the donkey for all the work & struggle he has caused the donkey.  Legend has it that these were Francis's last words - upon his death, the donkey is said to have cried.

It's myths or truths or stories like that which remind me that surely we can change, that all of the love in the world is right here.  In honor of Francis and all people who work for mercy & serenity & relief, inspired by this personal re-telling of the song attributed to Francis, here's my Francis meditation:

the music is  Surely We Can Change lyrics here, David Crowder Band, Remedy (2007)

and the problem it seems is with you and me,
not the Love who came to repair everything
and i don’t know what to do with a love like that.
and i don’t know how to be a love like that.
when all the love in the world is right here, among us.
and hatred too and so we must choose what our hands will do.

where there is pain, let us bring grace.
where there is suffering, bring serenity.
for those afraid, let us be brave.
where there is misery, let us bring them relief.
and surely we can change something.

Comments

[pinnacle security]

Or a fire alarm that has already sounded only when the whole house is already on fire.

[ron]

Awesome job on the video Bob...and nice lead in. Surely we can change...to everything must change. Jesus waits for us to fulfill his redemptive imagination in building his Kingdom.This Thanksgiving...lets think of the Kingdom. Humanity is still very broken. Poverty, War, and in justice seem to be everywhere. We can no longer turn our heads to avoid it...it stares at us, it cries out to us. Jesus called us to partner with him, to build this Kingdom that would turn the world upside down. It's time to leave, its time to join him, He waits...the world waits...it's time for everything to change.

Peace...Ron+