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| Buy- The Prayer of Saint Francis: A Message of Peace for the World Today by Leonardo Boff. (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books. 2001. English translation by Phillip Berryman.) pp 95-98. ISBN 1-57075-356-3 paperback $12.00] |
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| Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console "A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; She would not be consoled, because they are no more." (cf. Mt 2:18) In our great sadness, we yearn for gestures and words of consolation that will secure life that dissipates like water running through our fingers. How precious are those who approach with a mother's tenderness, and with a father's affection give us a firm hug, wipe away our tears, and end our sobbing. |
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| With good reason the prophets called on other prophets and priests in God's name, urging: "Console my people, console" (cf. Is 40:1; 49:13). One of the main functions of religion is to present the prospect of consolation in the face of the inexplicable dramas of life. It offers faith, according to which nothing is beyond God and everything is mysteriously part of his design of love for history and for the destiny of each person. Each one is called by the name known only to God and embraced with infinite tenderness. And, at the end of history-as we are told in Revelation-God will intervene, and "he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be not more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the old order has passed away." (cf. Rev 21:4) Can any consolation be greater? O Master, grant that I may seek not so much to be consoled as to console. May I be able to emerge from my own pain to hear the cry of the one suffering beside me. May I have words to console and gestures to create serenity, confident surrender, and profound peace. Amen. |
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