Steve Wright, pastor of Village Presbyterian Church in Ladera Ranch, here in Orange County, California, recently included at his blog a beautiful benediction (translation for evangelicals - a blessing, usually given at the end of a worship service). He found the benediction in a Franciscan Prayer. It haunts me.....I include it here for you to also reflect upon and savor.
Steve used to be a pastor at a church we attended in Fullerton. We moved, he and Joy moved...life happens that way. Be sure to attend his start-up church if you're down his direction.
"May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships so that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that, through your love, you can make a difference in this world so that you can do what others claim cannot be done. Amen."
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