Dean Paul Smith shared this prayer at Sunday service during Lent. Often titled “A Franciscan blessing” or occasionally “Four-Fold Benedictine Blessing”, the prayer originated as “A Non-traditional Blessing.” It was written for a student group in 1985 by a Benedictine nun called Sister Ruth Marlene Fox. May it hold true for all of us.
May God bless us with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships
So that we may live from deep within our hearts.
May God bless us with anger
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of God’s creations
So that we may work for justice, freedom, and peace.
May God bless us with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war,
So that we may reach out our hands to comfort them and
To turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless us with just enough foolishness
To believe that we can make a difference in the world,
So that we can do what others claim cannot be done:
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and all our neighbors who are poor.
Amen.
