Franciscan Blessing

Pastor Steve Almquist chose this benediction for the close of the Living Word church service this past Sunday.  It is a Franciscan blessing and I (along with many others) were deeply moved by its creative tensions.

THE BENEDICTION

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 pain, rejection, hunger 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 you can make a difference in the world; so that you can do what others claim cannot be done, to bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.

And all God's people said:  A-men.

If you want to see this on a website go here.  The author of that blogsite says that Brian McLaren is using this benediction on his Everything Must Change Tour.

Brian Rice