Instrument of Your Peace by St. Francis of Assisi

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,
not so much to be understood as to understand,
not so much 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 that we awake to eternal life.

How to Be an Instrument of Your Peace: Lessons from St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis of Assisi is one of the most beloved and inspiring saints in the history of Christianity. He was a man who renounced his wealth and worldly pleasures to follow Christ in poverty and simplicity. He was a man who loved all creatures as his brothers and sisters, and who preached the gospel of peace and reconciliation. He was a man who composed the famous prayer, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.”

But what does it mean to be an instrument of God’s peace in our world today?

How can we follow the example of St. Francis and bring harmony and healing to our families, communities, and nations?

Here are some lessons we can learn from the life and words of this great saint.

Seek God’s will in everything.

St. Francis was always attentive to the voice of God in his life. He listened to his conscience, to the Scriptures, to the Church, and to the signs of the times. He was ready to obey God’s will, even when it was challenging or unexpected. He once heard Jesus say to him from a crucifix, “Francis, go and rebuild my Church, which is falling into ruin.” He took this literally and began to repair a dilapidated chapel, but later he realized that God was calling him to reform the whole Church by his example of holiness and service.

We too can be instruments of God’s peace by seeking his will in everything we do. We can pray daily, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” We can discern our vocation, our talents, our mission, and our responsibilities. We can trust that God has a plan for us and for the world, and that he will guide us and provide for us.

Embrace simplicity and detachment.

St. Francis was deeply moved by the poverty and humility of Christ, who was born in a stable, lived as a carpenter, and died on a cross. He wanted to imitate Christ by living a life of radical simplicity and detachment from material things. He gave up his inheritance, his clothes, his money, and his possessions. He wore a simple tunic, begged for his food, and slept under the stars. He rejoiced in the beauty of nature and the gifts of God’s creation.

We too can be instruments of God’s peace by embracing simplicity and detachment in our lives. We can avoid greed, consumerism, waste, and accumulation. We can share what we have with those in need. We can appreciate the simple joys of life and thank God for everything he gives us.

Love everyone as your neighbor.

St. Francis had a universal love for all people, regardless of their status, race, religion, or culture. He treated everyone with respect, kindness, and compassion. He saw Christ in every person he met, especially the poor, the sick, the marginalized, and the oppressed. He also loved his enemies and prayed for them. He even traveled to Egypt during the Crusades to meet with the Sultan and preach the gospel of peace.

We too can be instruments of God’s peace by loving everyone as our neighbor. We can practice the golden rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” We can respect the dignity and rights of every human being. We can forgive those who hurt us and seek reconciliation with those we have offended. We can promote dialogue and understanding among different groups and cultures. We can work for justice and peace in our world.

Praise God always.

St. Francis was a man of joy and gratitude. He praised God always for his goodness and mercy. He composed many hymns and canticles to express his love for God. One of his most famous works is the Canticle of the Creatures, in which he praises God for all his creatures: “Brother Sun,” “Sister Moon,” “Brother Wind,” “Sister Water,” “Brother Fire,” “Sister Earth,” and so on. He also praises God for “those who forgive for your love’s sake” and for “our Sister Death.”

We too can be instruments of God’s peace by praising God always. We can worship God with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength. We can celebrate the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, which is the source and summit of our Christian life. We can pray without ceasing, using words or silence, alone or with others. We can sing to the Lord a new song, using our voice or our instruments.

St. Francis of Assisi is a model and a guide for us today. He shows us how to be instruments of God’s peace in our world. Let us ask him to intercede for us and help us follow his example.

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