So often we ask God to remove our discomfort, take away our anger, dry our tears, give us joy and remove from our lives anything that is unpleasant–which is why the words of this Franciscan benediction caught me and I wanted to share it with you.
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May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships
So that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war,
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and
To turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world,
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done
To bring justice and kindness to all.
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Amen.
It is so easy to forget that we are all brothers and sisters–children of our Heavenly Father. We so easily become hardened to the situation of others and forget that as we do to others we are doing it to Jesus. I needed this reminder.
