These meditations are an invitation to a state of peace and good through the words of Jesus in the gospels, and through the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi in pointing to Jesus. Saint Francis sought peace and good with God’s creation as best illustrated in Francis’ Brother Sun and Sister Moon in his Canticle of Creatures. These meditations are intended for persons of any belief but are presented in my faith of God the Father, Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit of God. That faith is best expressed by me in the Franciscan spirituality of simplicity and praise of an all-good God.

In the beatitudes Jesus spoke of blessed joy; those that are poor in spirit, that are gentle, that mourn and give comfort, that do what is right, that are merciful, pure in heart, and are peacemakers. That blessed joy is the peace and goodness that we seek in this life.

Francis of Assisi bound himself to the peace and goodness of Jesus so that Jesus’ image of him would burn through all the worldly condition, the human armor, the spiritual dullness, such that Francis would see the likeness of the Most High God in the radiance of the sun and the divine presence and splendor in the brightness of the moon. In binding himself to Jesus, Francis bound himself as an instrument of peace and good to all of God’s creatures and all of God’s creation.

The words of these meditations are intended to inspire peace and good through the words of Jesus and the instrument of Saint Francis of Assisi.