Feast Days With Miss Bri
 

This one is for your fur babies, your animal companions, your beloved creature allies, and all that is feral and free.

Saint Francis of Assisi is the Patron Saint of animals, ecology and also merchants (he came out of a wealthy merchant family). He has become THE Saint most strongly associated with environmental stewardship and care for all creatures great and small.

I am hosting a free community ceremony in honor of his Feast Day on October 4th. As always all you need to do is send in your petition, prayer, blessing, and/or request to Saint Francis by October 3, Noon Central time.

If one of your animal friends had a close call this year and came through you might want to thank him. If you would like to send solidarity to those engaged in the good work of keeping our planet safe and sovereign this is the time. Perhaps you wish to ask for continued protection for your own blessed animals – Saint Francis is here.

I love this Saint as he is one of the major personal patrons in own family. I know that so many in my community have animal allies that are near and dear to their hearts; our animal friends are not merely “pets,” they are family members, beloved children, partners in mischief and comforters in our times of pain and grief. Let us honor them and all that they are on this day!

 

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From the personal peace of a safe and refreshing sleep to the satisfying peace of a kindly community and the inner peace that comes from living a humble, forgiving, and prosperous life, these six Psalms give daily guidance and help in times of war, strife, rumour, and lies. The way toward peace is simple and easy; the Bible shows the way.

These verses from the Book of Psalms are suitable for private meditation, for reciting while lighting a white candle dressed with holy oil, or for writing on a piece of paper and carrying with you in your purse or wallet.

1. For peaceful sleep under God's promise of safety:

Psalm 4:8
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.

In Psalm 4, David tells us that knowing God as his security means that he can sleep peacefully.

2. For a community and a nation blessed with peace: 

Psalm 29:11
The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.

The God of earthquakes, floods, and thunderstorms is also the bringer of peace.

3. A long, happy life is given to those who don't gossip or lie, but in all ways seek peace: 

Psalms 34:12-14
What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

By avoiding evil behaviors and attitudes, and by doing good and working for peace, your life will be long and you will see good growing around you.

4. For the tough times of waiting, God offers reassurance of peace and prosperity:

Psalm 37:10-11
For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

God is watching and promises that the wicked will neither live long nor hold their possessions, but the gentle will inherit land and wealth, and live in peace.

5. God recommends the ways that lead to peace:

Psalm 85:8-10
I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people... Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

When we are forgiving and truthful, personal virtue and community peace ensue.

6. How to find peace by letting God’s laws light your way forward: 

Psalm 119:105 and 165
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path ... Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

If we let God's words illuminate our paths, we will not stumble, but will have peace.