My heart leapt today as a colleague came into our office and announced that the world has a new pope. Though I am not Catholic, I do believe as a fellow Christian that the influence of the pope in our world has the potential to bring positive and godly hope and love. A saint who I believe has captured much of the essence of Christianity is Francis of Assissi. I have always been deeply inspired by the radical love and humble life of St. Francis. The new Pope taking the name of the humble Francis was a great reminder to me of the essence of Christ's message. Indeed this new Pope Francis is extolled as a holy man with a pastor's heart. He lives in humble dwellings and has a heart for ordinary people living in the struggles and pain of life. He identifies with the poor and marginalized.
Tonight I pray with fresh enthusiasm the heart cry of St. Francis of Assissi. May we all be inspired to walk on roads of giving; caring deeply and radically for others with love, light and joy.
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.
Amen.
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