Thursday Thirteen: Prayer of St. Francis

Recently my daughter's choir sang at a benefit for an urban soup kitchen. The group was asked not to be "too Christian" because this is an interfaith soup kitchen. The point need not have been made; the group and its director are sensitive to and respectful of the faith traditions of others. Nevertheless, the conversation led to some reflection on what it means to be "too Christian" and whether or not it's ever possible or appropriate to be anything but who you are. To this group, being Christian at all means being kind and doing good in every way possible; it means loving people and being open to the changes love brings. That's all

Among the songs the children sang was the Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi. Here are its 13 lines.

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 seekto 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.

Thursday Thirteen