(Blowin’ in the Wind
is a regular feature on my blog highlighting an assortment of nature writings –
hymns, songs, prayers, Bible readings, poems or other things –pieces I have not
written but that inspire me. I trust they will do the same for you.)
OK, friends, I made a mistake in last week’s blog! I had
mentioned I’d be putting up something from my nature journal this time, but
then looked through some notes I had written for myself to remember to do
something special on October 4, so the nature journal entry will have to wait.
October 4, in Roman Catholic tradition, is the Feast Day of
St. Francis, their patron saint of animals and the environment. Though I am of
another Christian tradition, Francis still stands out for me as a hero of the
faith, even an inspiration to my own love of God’s creation.
Back in January I wrote a blog entry about a great hymn
based on Francis’ Canticle of the Sun,
the hymn All Creatures of our God and
King. Hit this link if you’d like to see that post, which includes a
contemporary rendition of the song by the David Crowder Band. But as I said,
our more modern hymn is based off of the song text attributed to Francis as Canticle of the Sun, written in the year
1225. I have sometimes used Canticle
as a closing prayer of praise when I have led “Stations of Creation,” a resource about which I blogged in August.
It is a wonderful prayer, simple and profound at the same time. I thought I
would like to share it with you on Francis’ feast day.
Canticle of the Sun,
A Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Most
high, all-powerful, all good, Lord!
All
praise is Yours, all glory, all honor and all blessing.
To
You alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips
are
worthy to pronounce Your name.
All
praise be Yours, my Lord, through all that You have made,
and
first, my Lord, Brother Sun, who brings the day and the
light
You give to us through him. How beautiful is he,
how
radiant in all his splendor!
Of You, Most High, he bears the likeness.
All
praise be Yours, my Lord, through Sister Moon and Stars;
in
the heavens you have made them, bright and precious and fair.
All
praise be Yours, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
and
fair and stormy, all the weather's moods,
by
which You cherish all that You have made.
All
praise be Yours, my Lord, through Sister Water,
so
useful, lowly, precious, and pure.
All
praise be Yours, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through
whom You brighten up the night.
How
beautiful he is, how joyful, full of power and strength!
All
praise be Yours, my Lord, through Sister Earth,
who
feeds us in her sovereignty and produces
various
fruits and colored flowers and herbs.
All
praise be Yours, my Lord, through those who grant
forgiveness for
love of You, through those who endure
sickness and trial.
Happy those who endure in peace.
By You, Most
High, they will be crowned.
All
praise be Yours, my Lord, through Sister Death,
from
whose embrace no mortal can escape.
Happy
those she finds doing your will!
The
second death can do no harm to them.
Praise
and bless my Lord, and give Him thanks,
and
serve Him with great humility. Amen.
May this prayer be a feast of praise for you as it is for
me.
~~RGM, October 4, 2013
