Preaching to the Birds

On one of their journeys in 1215, St. Francis, Brother Masseo and Brother Angelo stopped at a roadside area near the village of Bevagna. The trees and grounds were covered with birds of many species. St. Francis greeted them with the usual blessing of the brotherhood; "May the Lord be with you" He became overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit and started preaching a sermon of hope, praise and love to the birds. He was amazed that the birds were listening with attention and devotion. When he finished he urged them to praise the Creator for all that had been given to them, made the sign of the cross over them, and they all left at once, chirping joyfully.

Meditation:

St. Francis said to the birds: "My sister birds! You owe God so much gratitude, and ought always and everywhere to praise and exalt Him, because you can fly so freely, wherever you want to, and for your double and threefold clothing, and for your colored and adorning coats, and for the food, which you do not have to work for, and the beautiful voices the Creator has given you.Watch therefore well, my sister birds, that you are not ungrateful, but busy yourselves always praising God!" St. Francis of Assisi, Image books)