For two days I have written about home, and peace in the home. I remembered this article I wrote after having done a particularly altruistic deed! Some of you may remember it?
I listened to a beautiful hymn written in 1225 by Francis of Assisi, who became a Saint after his death and who is the patron Saint of animals and the environment, it was “Cantico di fratre sole”, Song of Brother Sun. Written shortly before his death it was almost 400 years before it was translated to English, by William H. Draper, and published in the Public School Hymn Book, 1919. If you take a few moments to sit outside and watch the squirrels playing chase, carrying nuts in their cheeks looking for a place to hide them; watch the birds as they fly around and land on the feeder to have a little snack or splash in the birdbath, you know that God created all these wonderful creatures who are on a mission of finding and storing food, of caring for their young and for simply enjoying their life. Luke 12:6 Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins, and not one of them is forgotten before God.”
With that song in my mind I got on my elevator on the 3rd floor and saw that it was occupied by a large, black roach. I spoke to it and said, “Buddy you don’t belong in here, one of us has to go!” I started to put my foot on him but didn’t as the car stopped on the second floor I opened the door to see if anyone was going down, I looked down at the roach as he just stood there at the edge not making a move. When I got to the basement and opened the door he calmly walked out, he had reached his destination and I didn’t kill him!
The hymn which was written by St Francis of Assisi, is “All creatures of our God and King, lift up your voice and with us sing, Alleluia! Alleluia! Let all things their Creator bless, and worship Him in humbleness, O praise Him! Alleluia! Praise, Praise the Father, Praise the Son, and praise the Spirit three in One! Alleluia! Alleluia!”
So for tonight there is one creature of God that owes his life to St. Francis! To him I say, “Sleep tight Mr. Roach, tomorrow I might not be so generous!” This creature of God is tired and just before going to bed!
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