A Blessing for 2019

May people everywhere work together for a more just, equal and peaceful world. May we bless one another and be a blessing to one another!
Happy New Year'! Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP, https://arcwp.org

A Nontraditional Blessing by  Ruth Fox, OSB 

May God bless you with
discontent with easy answers, half truths, superficial relationships, so that you will live from deep within your heart.
 May God bless you with
anger at injustice, oppression, abuse, and exploitation of people, so that you will work for justice, equality, and peace.
 May God bless you with
tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you will reach out your hand to comfort them and to change their pain to joy.
 May God bless you with
the foolishness to think you can make a difference in this world, so that you will do the things which others tell you cannot be done.

If you have the courage to accept these blessings, then God will also bless you with

 happiness 

-because you will know that you have made life better for others. 

 inner peace

-because you will have worked to secure an outer peace for others. 

 laughter

-because your heart will be light. 

 faithful friends

-because they will recognize your worth as a person. 

These blessings are yours - not for the asking, but for the giving - from One who wants to be your companion, our God, who lives and reigns, forever and ever. Amen.

  

This blessing was written and delivered by Benedictine Sister Ruth Fox of Sacred Heart Monastery in Richardton  ND  about 32 years ago at a Dickinson State University graduation.  It occasionally appears without proper attribution under the title "Franciscan Blessing" although it has no connection to St. Francis or the Franciscans.

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