A Franciscan Benediction




A large mosaic of Norman Rockwell’s 1961 Golden Rule hangs outside the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York City.


May God bless us with a restless discomfort
about easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships,
so that we may seek truth boldly and love deep within our hearts
May God bless us with holy anger
at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,
so that we may tirelessly work for justice, freedom, and peace among all people.
May God bless us with the gift of tears
to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, or the loss of all that they cherish,
so that we may reach out our hand to comfort them and transform their pain into joy.
May God bless us with enough foolishness
to believe that we really can make a difference in this world,
so that we are able, with God’s grace, to do what others claim cannot be done.

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