My Brother Francis

My Brother Francis

As some of you know my connection to the Franciscan tradition is very strong, I have been blessed to say that I have many, many brothers and in my heart all that I have gained from being with them, from working with, from feeling there joy and sharing in there sorrows and struggles. Now I was heart broken when I found out that Brother Francis did not write this prayer, and in looking at what he did write and comparing the two it is obvious, Francis rarely used the words I or Me, and his writings are far more focused on what the Lord has done and is doing more than on anything else. 

Nope this prayer was written by a French Franciscan during the horror of World War One. He never put his name to it, how Franciscan is that, but it did find it’s way into the prayers of the church and into the popular imagination of the public at large. It is a plea to he Lord, to take us to where we should be, to make us instruments in his song.....

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace...

The writer is pointing out that we are to be instruments of God’s peace. That we are to take an active role in the building of the Kingdom of Heaven and he is asking for the tools to do that task.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon....

This for me is about the healing power of God’s love and our ability to be part of that processes. We are all called to this task by the Lord, to be his hands in the world. Hands that heal.

Where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair; hope

This is a call to action, a call to feel the pain of those around us and to show that God’s love is present in the world. We are all called to this, to stand up to the world that wants us to forget those who have been marginalized and bring hope to a world that is in desperate need.

Where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

Being God’s light in the darkness, being unafraid to venture to those places where sadness and fear rule the day and bringing God’s joy with you is not an easy task but think for a second, where do you see sadness in your life and in the lives of others. Letting yourself know that God loves you, and loves you like no other love can bring you joy, and sharing this joy can make you a light in the darkness.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console. 

This comes back to our role as followers of Christ, we are not to worry about ourselves but to be very concerned about our brothers and sisters well being. Francis saw himself not as a Lark, with a beautiful song and lovely appearance, but as a sparrow, plain and simple loving God in every moment. It is in his tradition better to care for others than to care for oneself. This allowed Francis to walk with nothing and not be worried about the future.

To be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.

Francis did not seek to be understood by the world, it was not necessary God understood what and who he was and what he was doing. By removing our own need to be understood we become better at listening and responding to the needs of others.

For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned.

The writer of this prayer truly understood the joy and the gifts of living a life dedicated to the service of the Lord, and by extension to all of our brothers and sisters. It is in giving that we receive, it is in forgiving that we receive forgiveness and these are gifts from the Lord that are valuable beyond measure.

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

At the end of Francis’ life, he was nearly blind, could barely walk, he probably was suffering the effects of leprosy, his life was pain and suffering but still he continued on his mission. His dedication and love of God shone though his pain, and took him to a place of joy where he could embrace his Sister Death without fear, he knew where he was going, and he knew who would be there to meet him at the end of his journey.

The writer of this prayer well understood what I call God’s upside down logic, in God’s eyes it is not the rich but the poor who have wealth, it is not the powerful but the weak who have power. I am not sure who wrote this but I do know that his understanding of his brother and mine St Francis was intimate and beautiful...

Most High, glorious God enlighten the darkness of my heart

Give me true faith, certain hope and perfect charity, sense and knowledge that I may carry out Your Holy and true command.

Prayer of St Francis of Assisi

Take Care and God Bless

Good Enough