Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen
St. Francis of Assisi
This ancient prayer has been in my thoughts lately. Especially the part that says "grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console." I need to meditate on why God has me focusing on those words.
What is your favorite prayer? Do any especially resonate with you?
St. Francis' great virtue was humility. The theme of his prayer is utter selflessness; focusing on how he can better the lives of others as opposed to focusing on bettering his own.
ReplyDeleteBy carrying the burden for others, he can help make their lives better even if it means making his own life that much harder. Another way of reading the particular passage you are reflecting upon could be read as:
"Lord, I don't ask you to alleviate my own suffering, but rather grant me the strength to help alleviate the suffering of others"
St. Francis had a famous saying, one that he devoted his life to:
"Preach the Gospel daily, and if necessary use words"
Thanks, Mitch! Those are great thoughts. And I love that St. Francis quote!
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