The Wicked Tenants and St. Francis - What's the intersect?

On October 2, I preached one of my "conversational" sermons.  I sit on a stool in the middle of the church near the front and "chat" with the congregation.  Because of the distraction of some dogs parishioners had brought to be blessed, I was asked to post my talking points.  I usually only post my full text sermons, but I am making an exception for this sermon.

l      Parable of the Wicked Tenants – world of the parable is not the real world, but its meaning can be applied to the real world.

l      As an allegory (Matthew's pov) God = vineyard owner – Tenants = Jewish religious authorities – Slaves sent to collect = Jewish prophets from history – Jesus = heir – the fruit of the vineyard is what results of righteous and just behavior.  What does result is a well-ordered world in which God's reign = established.

l      But we don't live in 1^st century Palestine, neither did St. Francis – so what might it mean in another context?

l      Vineyard (grape vines, fence, wine press, watchtower) well ordered place which is torn apart by the disorder of tenant farmers who act with malice, without justice – appeared to live only to themselves and their own gain – no gratitude – no sense of duty at the very least.

l      In Francis' world: very rich (Francis’ family) and very poor; constant war; lepers lived a wretched existence of exile and begging

l      at 20 he went to fight and was captured and imprisoned for a year; returning home he became ill and had a spiritual crisis – started to enlist in another war, but had a vision and turned back; spent time praying to God for enlightenment.

l       After a pilgrimage to Rome, where he begged at the church doors for the poor, he said he had a mystical vision of Jesus Christ in the Church of San Damiano just outside of Assisi, in which the icon of Christ crucified said to him, "Francis, Francis, go and repair My house which, as you can see, is falling into ruins".  He tried to sell some of his father's cloth to finance the rebuilding, father objected strongly, Francis renounced his connection with his family.

l      At about 28 Francis heard a sermon that changed his life. The sermon was about Matthew 10, in which Christ tells his followers they should go forth and proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven was upon them, that they should take no money with them, nor even a walking stick or shoes for the road. Francis was inspired to devote himself to a life of poverty.

l      He sought to preach what the reign of God should be like, cared for lepers, rejected any security from having any worldly goods individually and, as others joined him, as a group—was a beggar.

l      Radical dependence on God's goodness with a grateful heart = a way to turn the disorder of the world around—because the needs of the vulnerable and weak come first, as you acknowledge your life as God's gift.  Francis saw Jesus as ushering in the reign of God by living this way.  Francis’ lifestyle could be seen as a way of reversing the disorderly behavior of humanity that led to the death of God's messengers and the death of Jesus.

l      Radical praise of God as creator = giving God God's due; we as human beings have a God-given responsibility to care for God's creation and live humbly as creatures as well:  Canticle of the Sun

Most high, all powerful, all good Lord!
All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing.
To you, alone, Most High, do they belong.
No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.
Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures,
especially through my lord Brother Sun,
who brings the day; and you give light through him.
And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor!
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars;
in the heavens you have made them bright, precious and beautiful.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
and clouds and storms, and all the weather,
through which you give your creatures sustenance.
Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water;
she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom you brighten the night.
He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.
Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth,
who feeds us and rules us,
and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you;
through those who endure sickness and trial.
Happy those who endure in peace,
for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.
Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death,
from whose embrace no living person can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin!
Happy those she finds doing your most holy will.
The second death can do no harm to them.
Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks,
and serve him with great humility.

l      How do we respond to St. Francis' example?  Is it too hard an example?  In his lifetime the order of brothers he founded ceased to live as radically as Francis wished.  Even if it is too hard, should we try as best we can??  It can provide a balance for our self-centered concerns about what we want for ourselves.