St. Francis had a very intense prayer life. One of the extraordinary devotions he created was his mixing and matching the psalms in order to retrace the words of Jesus in his passion–this is known as Francis’s “The Geste of the Great King.”
The motif of his prayer focuses on Jesus (who is the hero (king) and Francis the onlooking geste) who champions our cause for salvation through his death and exultation-Francis captures Jesus’s extraordinary love for us and God-with-us themes.
The last psalm (15) is dedicated to meditating on Christ’s incarnation. He reflects on the mystery of the Lord’s entrance into history by examining Jesus’ divine origin and kingship, his humble earthly beginnings and his revelation to the world. Instead of writing you a Christmas letter telling you about my life, I decided I would leave you with a prayer that reminds us what “Christ-mas” is really about-God becoming human and sharing his life with us so we in turn can dwell with our God at the heavenly banquet.
Sing for joy to God our help;
with exultant voice
raise to the Lord God living and true
a shout of joy.
Because the Lord is the Most High,
the awesome, great King over all the earth.
For the most holy Father of heaven,
our King before all ages,
sent from on high the beloved Son
who was born of the Blessed Virgin, Holy Mary.
He called out to God: You are my Father,
and God placed him as the firstborn,
the highest above all earthly kings.
On that day the Lord sent mercy
and song in the night.
This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad.
For to us is given the beloved child most holy,
born for us along the way and placed in a manger
because there was no room for him at the inn.
Glory to the Lord God in the highest
and on earth peace to those of good will.
Let heavens rejoice and earth exult,
let the sea and all that is in it roar,
let the fields and everything in them sing for joy.
Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth!
For the Lord is great and highly to be praised;
more awesome than all gods.
Bring to the Lord, families of nations,
bring to the Lord glory and honor,
bring to the Lord the glory due his name.
Cast off the weight of sin
and take up the Lord’s holy cross,
follow the Lord’s most holy commands to the very end.
Merry Christmas to all and a Happy and Blessed New Year! Thank you for all of your support and prayers throughout the past year.
Pax et Bonum!
Br. B
