Make Me an
Instrument One of the most beautiful sights in Italy is
the little town of Assisi. Known as the birthplace of Italy’s patron saint, St.
Francis, Assisi is a feast for the eyes with its Roman ruins, narrow winding
streets, and walls of cascading flowers. The town boasts breathtaking views of
central Italy. On the day I was
there this spring, we looked out on miles of vineyards, lush gardens, and
medieval villages.
It
was in this idyllic setting that St. Francis grew up with all the privileges of
family wealth. As a very young man, Francis turned his back on his inheritance
and committed his life to God. He practiced a life of simplicity, poverty, and
humility before God. With a devout respect for all that God created, Francis
showed compassion for the poor, the sick, and all of God’s creatures. His
remains are at the beautiful Basilica of St. Francis in the heart of the town.
The Prayer of St. Francis, while probably not authored by him, certainly
embodies his spirit of simplicity.
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;
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;
and it is in dying
that we are born to eternal life.
The
words reveal what it really means to be a Christian: to be an instrument of peace. If we become active in our Christianity, we will put the
needs of others before ourselves. We’ll be the love, forgiveness, faith, hope,
light, and joy to others. The prayer is that we will be less concerned with
getting and more concerned with giving. Following the example of Christ’s death
and resurrection to new life, we too should die to self and find eternal life
through our Heavenly Father.
This week let’s think about
situations that require us to be love, forgiveness, faith, hope, light, and joy
to someone. Then let’s feel the
peace and blessing of our risen Lord.
To
listen to a contemporary musical version of the prayer, click on this link.
Dr. Cathy Robbs Turner
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