Thoughts on the readings for the Feast of St. Francis (Oct. 4, 2021)
First Reading: Jeremiah 22:13-16
We hear two important pieces of advice in the readings for the Feast of Francis of Assisi:
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 this short Jeremiah passage tells us, we must not choose to live as the exiled kings of Israel did, wallowing in riches achieved by forcing their neighbors to work without wages; and second, we should try to live as we would later see Francis live: humbly doing justice and caring for the poor and needy.
Psalm: Psalm 148:7-14
In this portion of Psalm 148 we sing praise of God’s creation in words that likely inspired Daniel’s Song of the Three Young Men (Canticle 16): Fire and hail, snow and fog; all the domestic animals and wild animals that Francis loved – even sea monsters praise the Lord! All humanity praises the Lord too: 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 proclaims that the message of Christ is universal, addressing all humankind, thus standing against opponents who argued for a more limited way. In these verses that conclude the letter, Paul repeats this 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 before this passage, Jesus spoke with seeming frustration and anger about people who didn’t understand what he was doing. Now in these verses Jesus takes a breath, pauses, and gives thanks. Suddenly his hope for the coming generation of children and infants turns gentle. Listen for am echo of the Beatitudes in this. Imagine, too, how this passage might have inspired Francis with their promise of God’s Kingdom coming to the poor, the meek, the hungry and thirsty, to all who bear burdens and who labor under a heavy yoke.