5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
6 The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a[a] mustard seed, you could
say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would
obey you. 7 “Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from
plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here at once and take your place
at the table’? 8 Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me; put
on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink’?
9 Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you
have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we
have done only what we ought to have done!’ ” (Luke 17:5-10)
Every
time I read this passage, I think of my old boss at the shoe store where I
worked one summer when I was an undergraduate. Whenever one of the employees
would whine, “Hey Boss! Can I take my break?” He’d snarl back, “I gave
you a break when I hired you.”
The
message is pretty clear. You don’t get any special treatment or extra pay for
doing what you’re supposed to be doing anyway. When the apostles ask Jesus for more
faith, he’s quick to let them know they already have enough to get the job
done. Before they start asking for an increase, they should take a look at the
blessings from God they currently possess.
St.
Francis of Assisi, whose feast day is celebrated on October 4[i] by Christians of many
denominations, is a great example of taking a mustard seed’s worth of faith and
using it to change the course of Christian history. This guy is probably the
most popular canonized saint in history next to Saint Nicolas (It’s hard to
beat Santa!). As a young man Francis had everything going for him. He came from
a rich family and was in line to inherit his dad’s lucrative commercial silk
business. But, to his old man’s great displeasure, Francis gave up the family
money and the prospect of becoming a big shot silk merchant and embarked on a
life in service to the gospel without a penny to his name. He became a beggar
so he could minister to other beggars, which, if you ask me, would require a
heck of a lot more faith than I can boast of.
But
Francis did what he thought he ought to do—live a life in imitation of
Jesus Christ. Jesus didn’t have a bank account either. Jesus hung out with the
poor and the sick, so Francis did the same. Jesus trusted in the Father’s
goodness, and so did Francis. The result was that Christians were attracted to
the poor missionary’s Christ-like simplicity and sincerity. Men and women
joined the religious order Francis created, wanting nothing but to be faithful
servants who made others fall in love with the goodness of God.
Francis
never criticized the wealth and power of the church, but neither did he share
in those things. He was no Joel Osteen or Franklin Graham. Although his fame
spread throughout his lifetime, he continued to live in poverty, finding joy in
the word of God and the world God had made, being the “worthless slave” who did
only what he ought to have done.
Because
of his love for the earth and all living things, Francis is known as the patron
saint of animals, and it’s become traditional to bless animals on his feast day
(or, in some cases, on the Sunday which falls closest to his feast day). I
don’t know about you, but I have a great love of animals (even though I may eat
some of them). Being a city boy, I’m particularly fond of dogs, cats, and
horses (although horses, as a general rule, do not make the most practical
domestic pets as they take up a good deal of space, eat a lot, and are
notoriously difficult to housebreak). Of course, farm animals like pigs,
chickens, cows, and mules certainly have their charm, and many folks find joy
in the company of rodents, birds, fish, and reptiles. If you happen to share
your living space with a domestic pet, you’re certainly aware of how much pleasure
their company can give you. I like to think that an adoring pair of eyes and a
wagging tail greeting you as you return home from a trip of any duration will
be a reminder of God’s unconditional love. I hope that we, like Francis, would
feel the wonder and the mystery of God in all living things—plant or
animal—about us, and grow in true love, respect, and admiration for the blessed
gift of this earth.
Some
years ago, a neighbor of mine experienced one of those tiny, faith-affirming
miracles which, in honor of St. Francis, I’d like to share with you. My
neighbor’s name is Francisco, the Spanish form of Francis. He’s retired and, as
such, likes to play a lot of golf. One day he was out on the links and began to
feel unexpectedly fatigued. Although he hated to leave the green without
completing all eighteen holes, he felt he’d better go home and lie down. His
wife was at work, so he stretched out on the sofa feeling strangely crappy. No
sooner had he reached this position of repose than his little Yorkshire terrier
Sasha jumped on his chest and began licking his face, preventing him from going
to sleep. Francisco didn’t know why he felt so lousy, but, apparently, Sasha
did. Francisco sat up, feeling short of breath and sweaty. Being a sensible
man, he deduced he might be having a heart attack. He grabbed his phone and
called 911. The paramedics arrived a few minutes later and, just as Francisco
opened the door for them, he coded and collapsed on the floor. The paramedics
revived him, took him to hospital, and he’s been pretty okay ever since.
Sasha,
alas, has since gone on to his Doggie Reward, but this caring interaction
between human and animal serves for me as a reminder that the Spirit of God is
in all things around us—the sky, the trees, the clouds, flowers, and our little
“fur babies” who bring us so much joy. God is with us and so abundantly good to
us. Why would we need to ask for more?
Good
and gracious God, today we give you thanks for the animals who share our lives
and have done so in the past. We thank you for the joy and comfort they have
given us. We humbly ask you to protect them from illness and injury and grant
them long, happy lives. May they, through our hands, feel the love you have for
all you have created, and may we, through their selfless love and
companionship, be ever reminded of your constant presence, love, and care for
us. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
[i] Saints’
days are often assigned on the day of the individual’s death. In St. Francis’
case this was in the year 1226.
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