I've mentioned this blessing of St. Francis before. Episcopal Suffragan Bishop of Diocese of SE Florida, retired, often uses a part of it in his closing blessing. I've been fond of Bishop Said for many years. He's such a wonderful preacher and has had a big influence on my life. St. Mark's was so blessed when we got down to the last 6 weeks before our new rector arrived last Spring and Bishop Frade asked Bishop Said if he would fill in. Of course, that got me all excited because I'm such a big fan.
Somebody posted it to an email group in it's entirely. May it bless you as much as it has me.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
A Franciscan Christmas Blessing for Justice and Peace
May God bless you with discomfort...
at easy answers, hard hearts,
half-truths ,and superficial relationships.
May God bless you so that you may live
from deep within your heart
where God’s Spirit dwells.
May God bless you with anger...
at injustice, oppression,
and exploitation of people.
May God bless you so that you may
work for justice, freedom, and peace.
May God bless you with tears...
to shed for those who suffer from pain,
rejection, starvation and war.
May God bless you so that you
may reach out your hand
to comfort them and turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless you with
enough foolishness
to believe that you can make a difference
in this world, in your neighborhood,
so that you will courageously try
what you don't think you can do, but,
in Jesus Christ you'll have all the strength necessary.
May God bless you to fearlessly
speak out about injustice,
unjust laws, corrupt politicians,
unjust and cruel treatment of prisoners,
and senseless wars,
genocides, starvations, and poverty that is so pervasive.
May God bless you that you remember
we are all called
to continue God’s redemptive work
of love and healing
in God’s place, in and through God’s name,
in God’s Spirit, continually creating
and breathing new life and grace
into everything and everyone we touch.
Source: "Troubadour: A Missionary Magazine," published by the Franciscan Missionary Society, Liverpool, UK: Spring 2005.
1 comment:
What I wonderful and moving blessing!! Truly a blessing I would be blessed to receive and hope for within myself
Cindy Myers
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