St. Francis of Assisi

From today's reading:  One sabbath while Jesus was going through the grainfields, his disciples plucked some heads of grain, rubbed them in their hands, and ate them. But some of the Pharisees said, 'Why are you doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?'  Luke 6:1-2

Jesus was always under scrutiny by the Pharisees.  He was accused of being a drunkard, a glutton, and frowned on for associating with sinners and tax collectors.  Here his disciples were belittled for plucking and eating the heads of grain as they walked through a field.  These were not rich men.  They followed Jesus because they believed in him.  They lived mostly off the land and the kindness of others.  

Today is the day set aside to honor St. Francis of Assisi.  The way most churches celebrate his day is to have a blessing of the animals.  As a young man, Francis renounced his father's wealth and embraced 'Lady Poverty.' Sure that he had heard the voice of God, Francis began rebuilding a local church that was falling down.  Later as others joined him, he began an order of "friars"who accepted a rule of poverty and wandered what is now Europe preaching the gospel to anyone who would listen.  Francis epitomized the saying, "Preach the gospel.  If necessary, use words."  He led by example (not unlike Christ) in tryng to bring the peace of God into the world.