Revering all creatures

St. Francis of Assisi intuitively sensed the indwelling of God in all things. As such, each creature
was worthy of reverence and became the object of Francis’ special courtesy and respect. Francis
preached to the birds and animals as easily as he preached to his fellow human beings. And his
message was always the same: How wonderfully God blesses all creation; how all creation should
respond to God’s love with praise, joy and gratitude. For the “Little Poor Man of Assisi,” each
creature in its own way bore the image of the Divine Presence. God’s Providential Love for His
creation stands as the key to peaceful human relationships.
To be human is to seek peace. Let us pray Saint Francis own prayer request for peace:
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”