Journal of Sacred Work

Days 199-200 For All the Darkness…

My prayer“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.”  ~St. Francis of Assisi

As the week draws to an end, let us pray for peace and for those who are committed to sowing violence, that God will touch their hearts and soften their resolve so they will not carry out their actions.  Let us pray for mutual respect.  Let us pray for those who have died, and for their grieving families.  Let us pray for all who are injured and in need of healing. May we find comfort in knowing that God’s heart is also bruised and aches with sorrow when we turn our hearts against each other.  May God’s love comfort all who are in  despair and great need at this difficult time. 

(Adapted From  a prayer by the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart)

 Reflection offered by Nan Onest, Director, Mission Integration, St. Joseph Heritage Healthcare

Watercolor by Liz Sorensen Wessel

swiftlyunabashed93c6d9b23b Avatar

Published by

swiftlyunabashed93c6d9b23b
Categories:
Tags: , , , ,

10 responses to “Days 199-200 For All the Darkness…”

  1. sbeng Avatar
    sbeng

    Thank you Liz for your beautiful mandala and Nan Onest for your words for those who inflict harm and those who are going through sufferings through being afflicted or have lost loved ones themselves. Am encouraged by the words of ST. Francis “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle”. I am reminded of the song ” He holds the world wide world in His hand, He holds the whole wide world in His hand.”

    Like

    Reply
  2. Terry Chapman Avatar
    Terry Chapman

    Lighting a candle has special significance in my family as my youngest son Daniel had Leukemia when aged 3 but was cured, praise the Lord! We joined Candle Lighters, an organization devoted to “better to light one candle than to curse the darkness”. This group equipped a hotel room for hospital visitors to stay overnight when visiting their child with cancer.
    As we struggled to deal with our son’s plight, we prayed and our church and friends prayed with us and slowly but surely Dan was healed and is now a successful father, provider, and higher education professional. Yes, always praise the light, however small in your vision and let it draw you to brighter tomorrows and the everlasting warmth of love and caring of each other.

    Like

    Reply
  3. erie Avatar
    erie

    Your light-drenched mandala is a great gift, Liz, as is the prayer. Yes, God’s heart must also be bruised amid the violence and suffering in the world.

    Like

    Reply
  4. Cheri Cancelliere Avatar
    Cheri Cancelliere

    Thank you for the beautiful reflection and radiant art…a healing touch to a hurting world.

    Like

    Reply
  5. Maureen McDermott Avatar
    Maureen McDermott

    And we continue to pray, ‘let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me’. For all those who are suffering may they be embraced by the comforting arms of our God who suffers with us in our pain and and our confusion.

    Like

    Reply
  6. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    Thank you, Suan…to be held in Love

    Like

    Reply
  7. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    Hi Terry, thank you for sharing your deeply personal experience, how difficult that must have been, so see your child so young; suffer. What a wonderful organization, The Candle Lighters; to offer light and loving support to people in times of great need… the loving prayers by so many and the blessing of Dan’s healing. You reminds us of what really matters; love and caring for one another. Thank you

    Like

    Reply
  8. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    Thank you, Erie…there are very few words amid such sadness…

    Like

    Reply
  9. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    Thank you, Cheri, prayers for healing…

    Like

    Reply
  10. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    Thank you for your beautiful prayer, Maureen, may it be so. Peace…

    Like

    Reply

Leave a reply to Terry Chapman Cancel reply