St. Francis Welcomes Sister Death
"Francis spent the remaining few days before his death in praise, teaching his much-beloved companions to praise Christ with him. He also asked all creatures to praise God and, using the words he'd composed earlier, exhorted them to love God. He even exhorted death itself, terrible and hated by all, to give praise; and joyfully going to meet it, he invited death to be his lodger. 'Welcome,' he said, 'my sister Death.'" --Celano, Second Life, 217
This month's readings concern St. Francis's last days. As Christians we have the assurance that "death" will be better than life--no matter how wonderful a life on earth we've had. My only sadness will be for those I leave behind. Francis uses this time of his impending transition to encourage his much-beloved companions.
"Francis spent the remaining few days before his death in praise, teaching his much-beloved companions to praise Christ with him. He also asked all creatures to praise God and, using the words he'd composed earlier, exhorted them to love God. He even exhorted death itself, terrible and hated by all, to give praise; and joyfully going to meet it, he invited death to be his lodger. 'Welcome,' he said, 'my sister Death.'" --Celano, Second Life, 217
This month's readings concern St. Francis's last days. As Christians we have the assurance that "death" will be better than life--no matter how wonderful a life on earth we've had. My only sadness will be for those I leave behind. Francis uses this time of his impending transition to encourage his much-beloved companions. 
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