A Franciscan Benediction

I found this prayer in a couple of places on the Internet the other day. Some of you may be familiar with it, but it was new to me. It reminds me of James 1:27, the verse that says that pure religion is taking care of orphans and widows and keeping oneself from being polluted by the world. I pray God continues to work on all our hearts to mold them into the shape of His.

A Franciscan Benediction

May God bless us with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that we may live deep within our hearts.

May God bless us with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that we may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that we may reach out our hands to comfort them and turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in this world, so that we can do what others claim cannot be done.

Amen.