Showing results for "Francis" in Sermons

Join Ratty and Mole on a journey of faith. This beautiful book, which may be used as a daily devotional through Lent or any other period of the year, reopens Kenneth Grahame’s classic children’s novel The Wind in the Willows. The much-loved characters of Mole, Rat and Toad become the perfect allegory for the grand adventure of faith, from our terrifying first steps into and beyond the riverbank, to the challenges, temptations and triumphs that await us as we journey into the world, with Jesus by our side.

Francis Bourdillon reflects on the term “light affliction” and how, for most of us, some afflictions may not be light at all. He refers to the apostle Paul who described his own afflictions not only as light, but as short as well and invites every true Christian to follow this path. Even though Paul’s trials were many and were neither short nor light, he feels resolved in approaching them as mere trifles since suffering is temporary and divine glory is eternal.

Francis Bourdillon reflects on the gifts sent to us by God. As described in the Psalms, gifts can have altogether different meanings and only the truly faithful will be able to understand its worth. Afflictions, though often seen as a plague, are in his mind to be understood as a veiled gift, with a value that requires a greater depth of belief to comprehend.

St Francis of Assisi, born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, was a late-12th/early-13th century Italian friar and preacher. Bernardone came from wealthy beginnings, being part of one of the most affluent families in Assisi, but after a year of captivity after being captured by neighboring city’s army after conflict with Assisi flared up, Bernardone's outlook was much changed.