Days 277-278 “Grant That I May Not So Much Seek…”

"My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am." ~Anon

This Sunday our church will honor the life of Love of St. Frances. I've been looking forward to this day for months. This is because we can bring our pets to mass to receive a special blessing. Each year, I've enjoyed seeing all the furry creatures that kids and families adore; turtles, cats, dogs, birds and even a miniature horse.

Just like our pets who offer unconditional love, 900 years later, Frances still has a great deal to teach us about loving.

Lord, make me an instrument of your 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;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

-St Frances of Assisi

"Looking over a lifetime you see that love was the answer to everything." -Ray Bradbury

Contributed by Liz Sorensen Wessel

Mandala by ~liz

Published by

swiftlyunabashed93c6d9b23b

Categories: Reflections, Holidays, Spirituality

7 responses to “Days 277-278 “Grant That I May Not So Much Seek…””

Maria Doglio

October 5, 2013 at 8:46 am

Thank you Liz and may you have a beautiful day of blessings with all the beloved animals! St. Francis’ prayer is one of the most meaningful affirmations for me personally; your mandala captures all the colors of the seven sacred flames – it is quite beautiful.

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Woody Wessel

October 5, 2013 at 9:19 am

Very nice Liz, I’m looking forward to Sunday too. Love your art.

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Stephanie

October 5, 2013 at 10:20 am

Hi Liz,
I’d like to go to a St. Francis blessing sometime. I’ll look for it!
The version of the Peace Prayer of St. Francis which is my favorite says, “Let me not so much seek to be consoled as to be consoled”, etc. I like the added, “not so much”. I find that I can’t pray not to seek to be consoled, understood, loved–I need those things! But I find that I can ask for me to have God work through me to console, understand and love others in greater measure.

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SBeng

October 5, 2013 at 8:46 pm

I got Katie my puppy from a Pet Store and she is a rescue dog. After spending some days with her I noticed at times she can be very aggressive. I returned to the Pet Store and consulted with the Store Manager with regards to the problem and asked him how I can manage it. He told me that she is an Alpha dog and I need to show her who is “in charge”. How do I show her “I am in charge” (sounds too bossy)!. On the contrary when she got aggressive I spoke to her in a calm soft voice “be loving”. After practicing with her for a few times she got the clue. Today she is such a loving happy puppy,returns her love for me as I have shared my love for her. Love flows both ways, is healing and kind. Happy Saint Francis Day.

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Maureen McDermott

October 5, 2013 at 11:06 pm

Hope you and your pets are celebrating well today, Liz. May your prayer and our prayer help us to be a little more like our dear St Francis, especially in our desire and working for peace in our world at large and in our own particular worlds. Liz, your mandala captures the joy, the colour, the delight and hope that Francis desires for us today and everyday.

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Cheri Cancelliere

October 6, 2013 at 11:33 am

Liz, What a beautiful depiction of St. Francis and reminder of how much more beautiful our world is because of animals. A hummingbird came to my window this morning to scold me! The Santa Ana winds had made his feeder dirty and he reminded me to clean it! I was delighted to oblige since his antics bring me much joy! There is a scene in C.S. Lewis’ book “The Great Divorce” that I will always treasure about a woman who loved much on earth and in heaven she was followed by a long parade of adoring dogs, cats, birds, horses and children! May we all love so simply and unconditionally.

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erie chapman

October 6, 2013 at 7:36 pm

“…you see that love was the answer to everything.” What a fantastic quote from Ray Bradbury, Liz. In addition to Catholics, the world is fortunate to have such a wonderful new Pope Francis. Thank you for the warmth and love in your mandala, Liz.

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