I was reminded this past Sunday (following the recent events in Charlottesville) just how much work there is left to be done in our country and world.
Giving the benediction at church that morning felt more weighty than usual. People needed more than closure (there wasn’t any closure) they needed hope.
As I was searching my study archives for a fitting set of closing words, I came across an old Benedictine prayer that I hadn’t revisited in years. It seemed to be the perfect combination of words for all that I was feeling about Charlottesville.
You can read the benediction below. Perhaps these words will also be an encouragement to you today as we continue fight the good fight, striving toward a more just and generous world together.
Selah.
“May God bless you with a restless discomfort about easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships, so that you may seek truth boldly and love deep within your heart.
May God bless you with a holy anger toward injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may tirelessly work for justice, freedom, and peace among all people.
May God bless you with the gift of tears to shed with those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, or the loss of all that they cherish, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and transform their pain into joy.
May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you really can make a difference in this world, so that you are able, with God’s grace, to do what others claim cannot be done.”
Ryan is the Lead Pastor of Forefront Church in Manhattan, New York City. Forefront is a vibrant, growing faith community dedicated to cultivating a just and generous expression of the Christian Faith in New York City and around the world.
Ryan also serves as the Director of Communications at Convergence, a parachurch network building a multi-denominational movement of progressive congregations and leaders.
In his spare time Ryan can be found at his desk writing for The Huffington Post, composing music, or designing things.
Learn more about Ryan at ryanphipps.com
Comments
It’s a wonderful prayer, written by Benedictine Sister Ruth Marlene Fox, OSB, 1985, of Sacred Heart Monastery in Richardton, ND. http://www.thesacredbraid.com/2016/07/22/a-non-traditional-blessing/