Imitation
Submitted by Ford Prefect on October 27 2000 19:14:26
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Known as a form of flattery, it may well be a form of praise too. In my church, many years ago we were required to memorize many prayers. Most of these I've since forgotten. But one, which oddly enough we were never asked to memorize, has stuck with me all these years: the prayer of St. Francis. In it, we ask to become imitators of Christ. It is, I believe, a prayer, that will always be granted, if we but let him do it. Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us (like you) bring love, where there is injury, let us (like you) bring pardon where there is doubt, let us (like you) bring faith; where there is despair, let us (like you) bring hope; where there is darkness, let us (like you) bring light; where there is sadness, let us (like you) bring joy. Divine master grant that we (like you) may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; (like you) to be understood as to understand; (like you) to be loved as to love. For (as you showed us) it is in giving that we receive; (as you showed us) it is in pardoning we are pardoned; and (as you showed us) it is in dying we are born to eternal life. |
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