ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI
ST. FRANCIS
OF ASSISI
The world is in turmoil on many fronts and the suffering
seems endless. The poor, marginalized, vulnerable,
helpless, unborn, children and the like are victims of abuse, hatred,
governmental red tape, war, environmental concerns, and the like. Many are not given their humanitarian rights,
freedom of expression and or religion.
They are pushed around seen as a non-entity and live in poverty. The help given keeps many pushed down and
those in refugee camps are there for generations to come without hope at the merciless
hearts of others. Babies are being born
in some of these camps such as the ones in Turkey whom are not given documents
such as a birth certificate. They are
babies without a country or proof they were ever born.
However, in the horror of this surly brief example of what
is going on there are the people of God who keep the plight of the forgotten
alive and those who serve them. Many
work against all odds and conditions serve God as they serve these forgotten
and turned against. They work, if
physically able, out in the fields, others offer their art, writings,
photographs etc. to keep alive their plight.
Many pray coupling them with offerings of sacrifices for the suffering.
This brings me to a good example of one who served God in humanity
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI. His life was one with God in all that he did and
believed. St Francis’s prayer best sums
up his beliefs and spiritual values:
The Peace Prayer
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is error, the truth;
Where there is doubt, the 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.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is error, the truth;
Where there is doubt, the 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.
© Linda Mary Liotino ME A
SERVANT OF CHRIST MISSION
© Watercolor, named St.
Francis A Man of Peace, by FRANCO JOSEPH
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