Let Us Seek to Console, Understand, and Love
Becoming Instruments of God’s Peace
Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness
without which no one will see the Lord.
See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God.
-Hebrews 12:14-15
The Prayer of St Francis continues with these words: “Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.”
The question of “whom and what do you seek?” is a question that Jesus asks throughout the gospels. It is an insightful question because the answer, in many ways, defines who we are. We have a core teaching in our Living Compass wellness programs that similarly speaks to this: “Whatever we pay attention to is what will grow.”
One of my favorite hymns is Seek Ye First. The first line, based on Matthew 6:33 is: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and God’s righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you.” These words echo for me the Peace Prayer, to not so much seek to be consoled, understood, and loved, as to console, understand, and love.
In addition to the Peace Prayer, “Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words,” is a quote also attributed to St. Francis. We can’t be sure if he said these words, but we can be sure that he worked to live by these words in his daily life, always seeking to be an instrument of God’s peace and consolation to the poor and to all whom he encountered. May we be inspired to do likewise.
Making it Personal: As we approach the end of Advent and the coming of Christmas, how would you answer the question, “Whom or what are you seeking?” What is your response to the quote, “Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words”? How do you, or might you, apply this wisdom in your life right now, and throughout the year?