In the last couple of years, there has been an emerging confluence of several very important events in the calendar at this time of year: the end of the Season of Creation on the Feast of St. Francis (October 4th); the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels (September 29th); and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30th).

I believe that this proximity is rich for our contemplation and that in some incredible ways, each of these events feed and provides insight into the others.

During this time, as we reflect on these moments, on the Spirit, on creation, on truth, on justice, on healing, on relationship, love hope, beauty, repentance, discomfort, and joy, let us pray this prayer from our tradition, that our brother Francis wrote 800 years ago, and wonder how it might speak to all of these things and more.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring love.
Where there is offence, let me bring pardon.
Where there is discord, let me bring union.
Where there is error, let me bring truth.
Where there is doubt, let me bring faith.
Where there is despair, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness, let me bring your light.
Where there is sadness, let me bring joy.
O Master, let me not seek as much
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love,
for it is in giving that one receives,
it is in self-forgetting that one finds,
it is in pardoning that one is pardoned,
it is in dying that one is raised to eternal life.

Thanks be to God!

CG+