The Servant’s Way Isn’t Easy
The servant’s way is a challenging paradox; if it were easy, everyone would be following it. St. Francis understood the paradox of the servant’s way. Jesus mastered it. And teachers and prophets from many traditions teach the same paradox contained in the final words of the Prayer of St. Francis:
For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we’re born to eternal Life.
The paradox is that in forgetting our own needs or wants (which we can do because God has our back) and in giving to others what we ourselves desire, we get back what we offer. And in dying to our selfishness (not to be confused with healthy self-love) we begin to experience the kingdom of God now, the eternal life that is our birthright and that of every human being.
Little babies, like the baby Jesus we celebrate this week, are easy to love. It’s those full-grown adults with all their pain, wounds, opinions, and actions that trip us up. So on this final novena day as we reflect on being instruments of peace, I urge you to choose one person who is a challenge to you and reach out to them with consolation, understanding, and love. And when you do, let go of the outcome.
Whether or not your entreaty is accepted on the first try (or the 100th), acting consistently with the love taught in the Prayer of St. Francis will do its work. You will be an instrument of God’s peace.
In honor of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, in union with God and with each other, let us pray for each other that we truly recognize our Oneness and consciously live the servant’s way that Jesus so eloquently and courageously lived, and Francis so lovingly followed.
Merry Christmas and may Christmas blessings drench you in love.
Our final musical version of the Prayer of St. Francis is performed by Sinead O’Connor.
Novena prayers and reflection questions.