O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek To be consoled as to console, To be understood as to understand, To be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive…
Saint Francis of Assisi
The Prayer of Saint Francis
Topic: Serving Others
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life.
Saint Francis of Assisi, born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone around 1181 in Assisi, Italy, emerged as a central figure in Catholicism due to his deep spirituality and radical embodiment of Christian ideals. His early life was characterized by opulence, as he was born into a wealthy cloth merchant's family. However, a transformative experience during his youth, marked by a severe illness and imprisonment during a military expedition, catalyzed a profound spiritual awakening. This pivotal moment led him to renounce his family's wealth and embrace a life of poverty. Francis's commitment to living in simplicity and his devotion to Christ were deeply influential in his journey. He adopted a life of mendicancy and piety, often finding solace in remote locations where he prayed and sought spiritual communion.
Francis's spiritual journey was marked by significant milestones, most notably the founding of several religious orders. His initial act of repairing a dilapidated chapel in Assisi was symbolic of his broader mission to rejuvenate the Christian Church. He founded the Order of Friars Minor, a congregation committed to the ideals of poverty, humility, and the preaching of the Gospel. His charisma and genuine love for all of God's creation, including animals and the environment, attracted a diverse following. Additionally, he established the Order of Saint Clare (Poor Clares) for women, and the Third Order of Saint Francis for laypeople, expanding his influence across various strata of medieval society. His contributions culminated in the Custody of the Holy Land, emphasizing his commitment to safeguarding Christian holy places.
Regarded as one of the most venerated religious figures in history, Saint Francis's legacy extends far beyond the Franciscan orders he founded. His teachings and life story resonate with themes of universal love, compassion, and a profound connection with nature. His stigmata, a mystical experience of receiving the wounds of Christ, further cemented his status as a spiritual luminary. Francis’s teachings, particularly his emphasis on living in harmony with nature and his advocacy for peace and understanding, have transcended religious boundaries, making him a symbol of interfaith harmony and environmental stewardship. His life and teachings continue to inspire countless individuals across the globe, embodying the essence of selfless service and humility. Saint Francis of Assisi's life narrative is a testament to the transformative power of faith and the enduring impact of living a life dedicated to spiritual principles and altruistic values.
The Prayer of Saint Francis
Easwaran, Eknath. God Makes the Rivers to Flow: an Anthology of the World's Sacred Poetry & Prose. Nilgiri Press, 2009, p. 109 [The Prayer of Saint Francis].
Saint Francis of Assisi
Theme: Serving
About the Prayer of Saint Francis, the Peace Prayer [Commentary]
Saint Francis of Assisi’s profound quotation, “O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek To be consoled as to console, To be understood as to understand, To be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive,” encapsulates the essence of selfless service and unconditional love. This statement is a powerful reflection of Francis’s philosophy, where the focus shifts from self-centric desires to altruistic actions. By prioritizing the act of giving over receiving, understanding over being understood, and consoling over being consoled, Francis articulates a path of spiritual service that transcends personal needs. His approach is deeply rooted in the Christian ethos of love and charity but extends beyond religious boundaries, offering a universal message of empathy and compassion. This philosophy of self-giving is a direct challenge to the often self-centered human nature, inviting individuals to find fulfillment and purpose in serving others.
The broader context of the quote, which starts with “Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace,” reinforces the theme of becoming an active agent of change and harmony in the world. Francis’s invocation to sow love where there is hatred, pardon where there is injury, and hope where there is despair, reflects a deep understanding of the transformative power of positive actions in the face of negativity and conflict. His call for peace goes beyond mere absence of conflict; it is an active peace-making process that involves engaging with and healing the brokenness of the world. By embodying these principles, Francis demonstrates a profound commitment to turning challenges into opportunities for spreading kindness, understanding, and reconciliation. His emphasis on actions, rather than mere words or intentions, underscores the practical aspect of spirituality—living one’s beliefs through concrete, everyday actions.
Francis’s life and teachings reveal a deep connection with all of creation, seeing the divine in every aspect of the natural world and every living being. This holistic view of life as sacred and interconnected underpins his message in the quote. By advocating for an attitude of giving and serving, Francis emphasizes that true spiritual fulfillment and enlightenment come from transcending the self and embracing a life of humble service. His approach is not one of renunciation but of positive engagement with the world, where serving others becomes a path to discovering the divine within oneself and in the entire creation. This perspective aligns with his role as the patron saint of ecology and animals, reflecting his deep respect for all forms of life. Francis’s teachings, therefore, offer a timeless wisdom that resonates with contemporary efforts toward social justice, environmental stewardship, and interfaith dialogue, emphasizing that service to others is not just a moral duty but a means to a deeper understanding of our place in the cosmos.
Eknath Easwaran About the Prayer of Saint Francis
Francis Bernadone, perhaps the most universally loved of Christian saints, was born in Assisi, Italy*. At age twenty-two, after a sudden illness that brought him almost to the point of death he left his home and inheritance to follow an injunction that he felt he received from Christ himself: “Francis, rebuild my church.” With the eagerness that was the hallmark of his personality, he set about repairing a tiny broken-down chapel on the outskirts of Assisi, begging for stones and singing while he worked. His directness, humility, and uncontainable joy drew others. Within a few years, three great Franciscan orders grew around the monks, nuns, and lay disciples who responded to his example of universal love and selfless service, following the way of Jesus as set forth in the Gospels…
—Eknath Easwaran [God Makes the Rivers to Flow, The Prayer of St. Francis] p. 109.
* St. Francis of Assisi (c. 1181-1226) is probably the most universally loved of Catholic saints. This passage is published in Easwaran’s spiritual anthologies, “God Makes the Rivers to Flow” and “Timeless Wisdom.”
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