Thoughts on the Lessons for the Feast of St. Francis, Oct. 4, 2019

First Reading: Jeremiah 22:13-16

In the readings for the Feast of Francis of Assisi, we hear two key themes:

The Peaceable Kingdom (c.1833), oil painting on canvas by Edward Hicks (1780-1849), Worcester Art Museum, Worcester, Mass. (Click image to enlarge.)

First, as we hear in this short Jeremiah passage, a reminder to live not as the exiled kings of Israel did, wallowing in riches achieved by forcing their neighbors to work without wages; and second, to live as we would later see in Francis, humbly doing justice and caring for the poor and needy.

Psalm: Psalm 148:7-14

In this Psalm portion we sing out in praise of God’s creation. Fire and hail, snow and fog; all the domestic animals and wild animals that Francis loved – even sea monsters praise the Lord! All humanity, too, praises the Lord, old and young, kings and their subjects, men and women: God’s glory is universal, and God gives us all strength.

Second Reading: Galatians 6:14-18

Throughout his letter to the Galatians, Paul has declared Christ’s message is universal for all humankind, standing up against opponents who fought for a more exclusive way. In these concluding verses Paul reiterates his conclusion: Jew and Gentile, man and woman, slave and free, none of this matters in God’s new creation, which is everything. Those who follow this way will live in God’s peace and mercy.

Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30

In the verses just preceding this passage, Jesus seemed frustrated and angry about people who didn’t understand what he was doing. But now in these verses he takes a breath, pauses, and thanks God. Suddenly his hope for Israel’s children and infants turns gentle. We can sense a foretaste of the Beatitudes in this, and imagine how these verses might have inspired Francis with their promise of God’s Kingdom coming to the poor, the meek, the hungry and thirsty, and all who bear burdens and labor under a heavy yoke.

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