A Franciscan Blessing for the New Year

A photo of kids in Guatemala I took near a Healing Waters water system

This is my motto for the new year:

A Franciscan Blessing

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 from pain, rejection, starvation, and war,
so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness…
To believe that you can make a difference in their world,
so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.

Amen.