Our nation is divided worse than I can ever remember. There is little or no peaceful and respectful
listening going on between groups and individuals with opposing views. In its place are frightening displays of
mean and hurtful rhetoric, petty behaviors, and even acts of violence. Hate is powerful, but I know love, especially
that which springs from God's love, is more powerful. True love for one's fellow man, true belief
that we are all created equal and are deserving of respect, dignity, and
kindness is the only path to a peaceful world.
We are each directed by Paul, in this scripture, to do our part.
This past weekend the news was filled with examples of that
kind of love and peace both in Senator John McCain's funeral coverage and in
the sharing of Mollie Tibbett's father's
plea for a stop to associating his daughter's death with racist thoughts and
hatred. Both Senator McCain and young
Mollie strove to live lives of love and peace toward others. These events have renewed my hope for our
nation and for our world. They also have
renewed my commitment to do my part, in every way, every day, to bring peace
and love to others.
I know that goal will not always be easy, and even in my
personal life, may involve swallowing my pride and certainly putting my ego on
hold for the greater good of peace and harmony. I will not always succeed, but I have a revived and renewed commitment
to this as my mantra. It brings to mind
a Christian mantra that was very widespread ten to fifteen years ago. "What would Jesus do?"
My 97 year old Mother and I have both chosen the Prayer of
St. Francis as a funeral hymn. This has
been a favorite prayer and song of Catholics and other Faith denominations
since its original publication in 1912. There is no evidence in St. Francis of Assisi's writings of him penning
this, however. But it is a powerful
reminder of God's direction for us to bring His love and peace to others.
Prayer of St. Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy 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;
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.
Connie Barry
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