On our Saturday morning family hike at Glen Park Canyon (depicted), my daughter skipped alongside our dog while we trekked through the beauty of God’s nature. One of my favorite aspects of living in San Francisco has always been the ease with which we urban dwellers can access the outdoors. I tried to take it all in- the sights, the smells and the views- while we walked together. It was a wonderful reminder of the importance of time together, exercise and unplugging.
This week I’ve been listening to acoustic blues guitarist Eric Bibb. He is a talented artist, lyricist and guitarist. I hope you enjoy listening to this song, “Along the Way.”
Today I pray for the safety of my family in Florida, and for all affected by climate disasters worldwide. May they be well and let us pray that they find the healing they deserve in the coming days.
Go well and stay well.
St. Francis’s Canticle of the Sun
O most High, almighty, good Lord God,
to you belong praise, glory, honor, and all blessing!
Praised be my Lord God with all creatures;
and especially our brother the sun,
which brings us the day, and the light;
fair is he, and shining with a very great splendor:
O Lord, he signifies you to us!
Praised be my Lord for our sister the moon,
and for the stars,
which God has set clear and lovely in heaven.
Praised be my Lord for our brother the wind,
and for air and cloud, calms and all weather,
by which you uphold in life all creatures.
Praised be my Lord for our sister water,
which is very serviceable to us,
and humble, and precious, and clean.
Praised be my Lord for brother fire,
through which you give us light in the darkness:
and he is bright, and pleasant, and very mighty,
and strong.
Praised be my Lord for our mother the Earth,
which sustains us and keeps us,
and yields divers fruits, and flowers of
many colors, and grass.
Praised be my Lord for all those who pardon
one another for God’s love’s sake,
and who endure weakness and tribulation;
blessed are they who peaceably shall endure,
for you, O most High, shall give them a crown!
Praised be my Lord for our sister,
the death of the body, from which no one escapes.
Woe to him who dies in mortal sin!
Blessed are they who are found walking by your
most holy will,
for the second death shall have no power to do
them harm.
Praise you, and bless you the Lord,
and give thanks to God, and serve God
with great humility.
(St. Francis, 1182-1226)