“Blessed saint francis
pray for us
now and in the time of despondency
your brother the water is poisoned
children no longer know your brother the fire
the birds shun us
They belittle you
popes and czars
and the Americans buy up Assisi
including you
blessed saint francis
why did you come among us?
In the stony outskirts of the city
I saw you scurrying about
a dog pawing through garbage
even children
choose a plastic car
over you
Blessed saint francis
what have you changed
whom have you helped
Blessed saint francis
pray for us
now and when the rivers run dry
now and when our breath fails us.”
Dorothee Soelle (1929 – 2003), German liberation theologian, quoted in Christian Mystics by Matthew Fox
Artwork by Francisco de Zurbarán (1598 – 1664)
Chorlton Unitarians 