Sermon: "Love in Action"
The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg
Third Bishop of East Tennessee

[This sermon by Bishop vonRosenberg was delivered using the following notes.]

Your patron saint – Francis of Assisi – may be the most popular saint in the Christian tradition. And his life story surely is one of the most remarkable ones among the saints, in terms of the transformation that took place in that life. Many of you probably know the story quite well, but let me review a short version of it.

The father of Francis of Assisi was a rich cloth merchant, and his son helped in that business as a boy and as a young man. During those years, Francis enjoyed the life of the son of a rich member of society. However, at age twenty, he was taken captive by a neighboring state, and that captivity, followed by a serious illness, began the process of transforming his life. He eventually became committed to a life of prayer and of service to the poor.

One indication of this change occurred during a pilgrimage that Francis took to Rome. As he stood in St. Peter’s Square, he was filled with compassion toward the poor people gathered there. In fact, he went so far as to exchange clothes with one of the beggars, and he spent that day begging for alms. Soon after his return to Assisi, his father disinherited him, and the transformation was complete.

Francis drew up a simple rule of life for himself and his associates. Through the years since then, Francis’ example has appealed to many others, who have tried to follow his way of simplicity in life and faith, generosity, love of nature and all creation, devotion to God, and commitment to people who suffer.

Of course, in terms of Francis’ love of nature and creation, he is known as the patron saint of animals. In that regard, I understand, also, that I have arrived at Mecca for the liturgy of blessing the animals this afternoon!

The Gospel appointed for St. Francis’ Day seems especially appropriate as we remember this humble and compassionate man of faith. Listen to a portion of it. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt 11:28-30).

Jesus spoke those words within the context of life lived under the heavy burdens of Jewish law. The yoke of the law was indeed burdensome, for the hundreds of laws that governed daily life were almost impossible to follow. Of course, the many illiterate people could not read the laws anyway. They depended on the religious authorities, therefore, for guidance and direction. However, the authoritative word usually came down only after a law had already been broken. Thus, life itself was burdensome, and the yoke of the law was heavy indeed. It was into this setting that Jesus brought his welcomed words of freedom and of relief.

I regret to say that the presentation of Christianity today may often seem more like the legal expectations of Judaism than the invitation of Jesus. In fact, we sometimes present the Christian life as an exercise akin to a certain rationale implicit in our educational system. That is, if we can only learn what we need to know, then life subsequently will become clear. The message, therefore, is the hard part comes at first, but eventually things will get easier – or, at least, so we seem to say.

However, the message from Jesus and from St. Francis is exactly the opposite. “Take my yoke upon you …you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Actually, you see, the easy part comes first, and the hard part follows. Jesus knew that, and so did St. Francis. Indeed, their lives testify to that sequence of events.

Contrary to what you may have heard, we do not have to earn God’s love so then we may expect prosperity, good health, and all of life’s blessings. That progression may be the message of our culture and, even, of some of our fellow Christians. However, it does not correspond to the teachings of our Lord, nor to the experiences of Jesus or of St. Francis.

God loves us already – completely and unconditionally. It is because of that love – not in order to earn it but because of it – that we are able to face what life has in store for us. Poverty, hardship, and a cross may come. However, with the gift of God’s love in Christ, we can endure … not in bitterness or in resentment, but in the joy that results from the gift of God’s love in the first place.

Jesus knew that. St. Francis knew that as well. And, by God’s grace, we know it, too. Amen.

Copyright © 2009 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee