Lower case franciscan

Be an instrument of peace
Even though you know
There is nothing beyond brother sun and sister moon

Where there is hatred and sorrow
Offer patience, understanding and the strength to listen and hear

Where there is injury
Stand with the injured and do not strike at the offender but
Offer silent strength to both

Walk with the oppressed
Sit with the grieving
Embrace the neglected and forgotten

And when you do these things
And when you knock on the door that goes unanswered
Or where the response is laughter and ridicule

Be an instrument of peace
Even though you know
There is nothing beyond brother sun and sister moon

Paul Cech has been writing poetry since 1970. Several of his poems have been published as Saturday Poems in the Pittsburgh- Post Gazette and the Thomas Merton Center of Pittsburgh has published several of his poems in NewPeople. Read other articles by Paul.