Advent Word: Bless

The word 'bless' - today's word in the Advent Calendar I am following this year, sound such a comforting word. Yes, to bless someone, does show good intentions, even if it's just to say 'bless you' when someone sneezes. At the very least, it shows someone has noticed your problem.

These last days of Advent bring a mixture of blessings and woes. We want and are encouraged to experience all the joyful aspects of the Christmas season. There's nothing wrong with that, unless in so doing, we stop noticing the problems in and around us, or worse still, stop caring.

Can some of us too easily avoid uncomfortable Advent themes by focusing exclusively on the feel-good factors of Christmas? We are still in the Advent season. One of Advent's major themes is the challenge to make way for the Lord of justice, truth, peace, love and grace to come among us. So today I am posting again a most uncomfortable prayer for God to bless us. I do not know its origin. There are several versions around. If you know who wrote it, please let me know.

This prayer asks to be blessed with discomfort, anger, tears and foolishness. Pray this pray, if you dare!

"FRANCISCAN BLESING 

May God bless us with a restless discomfort

at easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships,

so that we may seek truth boldly 

and love deep within our heart.

May God bless us with holy anger 

at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people, 

so that we may tirelessly work for justice, freedom 

and peace among all people. 

May God bless us with the gift of tears 

to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, 

or the loss of all they cherish, 

so that we may reach out your hand to comfort them 

and transform their pain into joy. 

May God bless us with enough foolishness 

to believe that we really can make a difference in this world, 

so that we are able, with God's grace 

to do what others claim cannot be done." 

Anonymous

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