To Be an Instrument of Peace
Our One-Card reading this week is one of my favorite cards, The Hermit. Often we associate the Hermit with Saint Francis of Assisi.
The lore and wisdom of Saint Francis extends beyond Catholicism. The prayer of Saint Francis was published first in the United States by Quakers. It was used during WWII as a protest for peace.
In the prayer, Saint Francis asked to be made an instrument of peace.
He then goes on to describe the ways in which this can happen.
As an interesting exercise, use tarot or another divination tool to answer these two questions, inspired by the prayer of Saint Francis.
Simply ask each question and pull a card, or a few cards, to receive your answer.
Of what am I an instrument at the present time?
What do I need to do to become an instrument of peace?
Then, take some time to reflect on the words of Saint Francis.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
While much of the prayer is easily quite nondenominational and ecumenical, the last line speaks specifically to the Christian concept of heaven. Many religions teach such a concept, but not all.
But what if we look at that last line symbolically? In addition to the promise of heaven, this line speaks of a deeper truth. When we let go of that which no longer serves us we are able to fully live, and to live in peace.
|