by Father Mark Goldasich
I see it hanging on my refrigerator, a spot that I visit (way too) often. The “it” is the Prayer of St. Francis, one of my favorites. My eyes can’t help but glance at it . . . and each time, I say one line of the prayer.
Scholars tell us that the prayer was not actually written by St. Francis of Assisi. Its first publication was in 1912 in France in a small spiritual magazine. Its author remains shrouded in mystery. Nevertheless, I find the prayer both inspirational and challenging.
I believe that faith is more a verb than a noun. It’s intended primarily to be something lived. The Prayer of St. Francis, with its emphasis on action — “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace” — outlines practical and simple ways to do that.
I often tell people that when I preach, I’m primarily addressing the words to myself. If anyone else gets something out of them, well, that’s the Spirit working!
Years ago, I came across this story, “How to Change the World,” that had a tremendous impact on me:
A wise, old Middle Eastern mystic once said: “I was a revolutionary when I was young and my prayer to God was: ‘Lord, give me the energy to change the world.’ As I approached middle age and realized that my life was half-gone without my changing the world, my prayer became: ‘Lord, give me the grace to change all those who come into contact with me. Just my family and friends, and I shall be satisfied.’ Now that I am an old man and my days are numbered, I have begun to see how foolish I’ve been. My one prayer now is: ‘Lord, give me the grace to change myself.’ If I had prayed for this right from the start, I would not have wasted my life.” (Story found in Paul J. Wharton’s “Stories and Parables for Preachers and Teachers.”)
In our contentious world today, we would do well to move the focus from the “splinter” in the eyes of others (our “enemies”) to the “wooden beam” firmly planted in our own. We appear intent on building higher and higher walls between people rather than bridges. Words like “compromise,” “cooperation” or “the common good” are rarely used.
Wise as always, Pope Francis crafted this prayer for his World Communications Day message in 2018. If anything, these words, in the style of the Prayer of St. Francis, are even more needed in our day and in our country:
“Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Help us to recognize the evil latent in a communication that does not build communion.
Help us to remove the venom from our judgments.
Help us to speak about others as our brothers and sisters.
You are faithful and trustworthy; may our words be seeds of goodness for the world.
Where there is shouting, let us practice listening;
Where there is confusion, let us inspire harmony.
Where there is ambiguity, let us bring clarity;
Where there is exclusion, let us offer solidarity.
Where there is sensationalism, let us use sobriety;
Where there is superficiality, let us raise real questions.
Where there is prejudice, let us awaken trust;
Where there is hostility, let us bring respect;
Where there is falsehood, let us bring truth. Amen.”
I considered posting this prayer next to the one of St. Francis but there’s no room on the refrigerator. Instead, I’ve collapsed them down to the words of that familiar hymn:
“Let there be peace on earth. . . . And let it begin with me.”
