Sunday Benediction

My pastor used this quote from a Franciscan benediction in the closing of a letter to the congregation...I found it too beautiful not to share.

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart. May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace. May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hands to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy. And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.

Forgiveness for Suharto

This is a couple of weeks old, but I am still struck by it. I can't remember ever seeing the incumbent leader of a country publicly call for prayers and forgiveness for those who oppressed them previously. (If you have, please feel free to share!). Suharto has since passed away.

Link to: East Timor 'must forgive Suharto'