On Sunday I introduced the congregation to the Prayer of St. Francis. I did so because it captures the meaning of the Sermon on the Mount and the essence of the Christian life. I know of no finer prayer outside of the Lord's Prayer, the Publican's Prayer in Luke 18:13, and the other prayers in Scripture. It is attributed to St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) but was probably composed much later.
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is friction, union;
Where there is error, truth;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
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.
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
