BROTHER SUN, SISTER MOON

 

               

I have a feeling Greta Thunberg is a bit like marmite, and I quite enjoy marmite.  I also like St. Francis of Assisi (not like marmite) who, in a similar way to Greta, had a deep concern for the environment.  I mention this because we celebrate Francis’ life on October 4th, the final day of a five-week period which the churches call ‘Creationtide’, developed through an initiative of the Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople.  This year the focus is on preparations for the 26th Climate Change Conference to be held in Glasgow in November 2021.

I know we need to care for the planet and try to do my bit although Greta shook my middle-class conscientiousness.  But it’s the more radical approach of Francis I really value, for he not only had a concern for creation but celebrated our interconnectedness.  Brother Wind, Sister Water – Mother Earth – are not terms dreamt up by some woke environmentalist but by this humble Italian saint whose life many consider to be closest to that of Jesus.  Francis’ life has long inspired creative people: his great ‘Canticle of Creation’ lies behind that popular hymn, ‘All creatures of our God and king’; Messiaen composed an opera in his honour; in 1972 Franco Zeffirelli wrote and directed Brother Sun, Sister Moon, a slightly hippy presentation of Francis’ early life, whilst fifty years beforehand Roberto Rossellini’s The Flowers of St. Francis offered a far earthier version which he wanted to offer as "the perfume of the most primitive Franciscanism".

Why, then, does a thirteenth century saint appeal to twentieth century musicians, film-makers and thousands of Christians around the world?  One popular view is that he was kind to animals, but that is to trivialise Francis.  Rather, his life of poverty cuts through the superficiality of today’s quest for wealth and power; his complete obedience to God reveals that love which brought all things into being, and his profound joy and compassion for humankind touches the hearts of all who have come to know him.  But back to nature.

Francis’ life, which culminated in his receiving the wounds of Christ in his hands, feet and side – those wounds which revealed to him the depth of Jesus’ love – is a life which reveals the wonder of what humanity is called to realise through profoundly alternative ways of living.  He asks us – where does your treasure lie?  He reveals that we need to live in harmony with all things because we are sisters and brothers with one another and creation.  He saw and venerated the Creator in Creation showing that one of the greatest evils is to proudly seek domination and not approach life with humility and compassion, for we are sisters and brothers of this small, fragile Earth.

I don’t ‘like’ Greta Thunberg – I have a profound respect for what she and so many other young people are seeking to do and am ashamed, at times, at what my generation is doing with the planet.  I see behind her that Little Poor Man of Assisi whose smile lights up when Earth sings in harmony but who weeps at our inhumanity.  And I see behind him One who suffers as we rape and pillage the earth and who says to us – but this Earth is my precious gift to you!   So, let’s open the eye of our heart to see, value, reverence and celebrate the wonders of this gift and, like St. Francis, live more simply that others may simply live.

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‘Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him.  And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendour!  Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness. … Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you; through those who endure sickness and trial. Happy those who endure in peace, for they will be crowned’ (Canticle of Creation)