First published on the Contemplative Art page
Is there any saint who has a softer image than St. Francis of Assisi? If we had known the real man, however, we would have seen a far tougher figure, both in terms of how he lived, and his beliefs.
Francis lived simply, very simply; we would find the rawness of his life tough to replicate. He was completely committed to his Catholic Faith and explored it with an intensity that most of us, I imagine, would hardly dare.
If I met someone who emulated St. Francis, I would waste no time in asking him or her to pray for me, for I would know that the Lord is hearing those prayers!
In this image below, Francis is doing something that, again, many of us simply don't, and probably wouldn't like, to do: contemplate death.
We ought to do it, though, for sooner or later it will happen. The wonderful thing is that there is no need to be afraid of it. When it happens, it won't be the End but simply the beginning of something - please God - very great indeed. Death is but a doorway, and the never-ending land beyond is every good thing that we could ever wish for and so much more transformed by the very presence of Almighty God Himself. Talk about an exciting prospect.
30th May 2026
A Short Prayer
Dear Lord
The thought of death scares me,
Even though you achieved victory
over it forever.
Grant me the grace to never fear it,
But to love what it leads to:
Life with you forever,
in bliss, eternal bliss
Amen
image
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