Say Yes to Life

A story told by Swami Kriyananda:

“St. Francis of Assisi lay on his deathbed. He was singing. Brother Elias, a pompous but prominent member of the Franciscan Order, with a strong sense of their Order’s world mission, slipped quietly into the room. He had a delicate task to perform.

“Father,” he began, coughing discreetly, “there are people standing in the street outside your window. I’m afraid nothing we might do could prevent them from hearing you singing. This lack of restraint at so grave an hour might embarrass the Order, Father. It might lower the esteem in which you yourself are so justly held. Perhaps in your extremity you have – momentarily, of course – lost sight of your obligation to the many who have come to regard you as a saint. Would it not be more edifying for them if you were to, er, die with more Christian dignity?”

“Please excuse me, Brother,” St. Francis replied, “but I feel so much joy in my heart that I really can’t help myself. I must sing!” To his last breath he sang joyously to God for the wonders of His creation.