This struck me because of the artists I know. Some paint, some sculpt, some write, some are simply artists of life. Here’s today’s Thursday Thought.
Tag Archive for Assisi
Seeds of Peace
Because of the significance of the season--notably Good Friday today, beginning of Passover tonight, Easter Sunday in two days–I’d like us all to think about peace.
PEACE is God’s loving gift to us. All He asks is that we accept it together. All of us, from all faiths. One way is through “The Peace Seeds.” These 12 prayers were prayed in Assisi on the 1986 Day of Prayer for World Peace. They are Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Muslim, Sikh, Bahai’, Shinto, Native African, Native American, Zoroastrian, Jewish, and Christian. They may refer to the Life Force in different ways, but all call on it to help us attain the peace our Father wishes for us.
Let each prayer touch you deeply, where your longing for peace lives. Feel the unity of the world is in its craving for peace. Then call upon God using each prayer. You may want to change the references you aren’t comfortable with: “Vedic Law” in the Hindu to “Holy Law” or “Buddhahood” to “Your Will.” Remember: God wants not mere words from us but a unified desire to accept His gift.
You’ll find the Peace Seed Prayers at http://chaplaincyinstitute.org/library/blessings-and-prayers/interfaith-prayers-for-peace.
Pope Francis & Future of the Church
The new Pope is a Jesuit who feels enough kinship with St. Francis to take his name. If he follows the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola and St. Francis of Assisi, the Church will help lead the world into a greater respect for all life on Earth. The Church will banish scandals that harm innocents. It will demand acceptance of all people, despite economic station, politics, gender, or health. It will advance sharing of resources among all peoples. It will cultivate true stewardship of the Earth. In a perfect world, these would lead to universal peace; in our imperfect world, such attitude changes are at least a giant step toward that peace.
Pope Francis has a huge job ahead of him. I wish him well and will be following him with a hopeful heart.