A Franciscan Benediction
I shared the following benediction last Sunday, which was given to me by my friend, Dana Jalovick: May God bless us with discomfort At easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships So that we may live from deep within our hearts. May God bless us with anger At injustice, oppression and exploitation of God's creations So that we may work for justice, freedom, and peace. May God bless us with tears To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war, So that we may reach out our hands to comfort them and To turn their pain into joy. And may God bless us with just enough foolishness To believe that we can make a difference in the world, So that we can do what others claim cannot be done: To bring justice and kindness to all our children And all our neighbors who are poor. Amen