Prescription for the Morning After

Today, like every other day, we wake up empty
and frightened.  Don't open the door to the study
and begin reading.  Take down a musical instrument.
Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.
-Rumi, translated by John Moyne and Coleman Barks
​

A million points of light: that is what we need today. For much of the world, yesterday was the manifestation of their worst fears and they wake terrified, sickened and broken hearted. For other people, it was a day of triumph and jubilation. No matter which way you voted, however, you know that this election has left deep scars and the shadow of hatred and darkness upon us. All of- Democrat, Republican, Green Party, Libertarian- need to come together. I do not think Donald Trump is a figure who can do that. But I do think St. Francis is. He lived in a time that was even more divisive and violent than our own, a time when Dominicans were burning people at the stake for their different views. St. Francis taught a pathway of healing and reconciliation, and it was simple: praise. Praise everything in creation. Give honor and blessing to all: to sun, moon, stars, fire, wind, water, earth and even death. See everything as a brother and sister. And then sing, say and write your praise songs. So I invite you, everyone in America, everyone in the world, to start singing your praises as loudly as you can. I am going to start a Facebook page called the Canticle Project. It is a hate free zone. Here I invite you to share what is good, beautiful and true. See something lovely? Post a picture. Hear a gorgeous song? Upload a link. Meet someone who inspired you? Tell us their story. Experience an act of kindness? Witness a profound gesture of hospitality? Share it with the world. Not one word of division, not one word of contempt. Only a celebration of what is kind and compassionate and in the spirit of love. Because we need those million points of life. All of us.

​Please join our Facebook page (Canticle) and add your stories, images and songs of beauty, love and goodness. Thank you.

The Canticle of St Francis

​Most High, all powerful, good Lord, 
Yours are the praises, the glory, the honor, 
and all blessing.
To You alone, Most High, do they belong, 
and no man is worthy to mention Your name.
Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, 
especially through my lord Brother Sun, 
who brings the day; and you give light through him. 
And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! 
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
Praise be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon 
and the stars, in heaven you formed them 
clear and precious and beautiful.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind, 
and through the air, cloudy and serene, 
and every kind of weather through which 
You give sustenance to Your creatures.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water, 
which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire, 
through whom you light the night and he is beautiful 
and playful and robust and strong.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Mother Earth, 
who sustains us and governs us and who produces 
varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Praised be You, my Lord, 
through those who give pardon for Your love, 
and bear infirmity and tribulation.
Blessed are those who endure in peace 
for by You, Most High, they shall be crowned.
Praised be You, my Lord, 
through our Sister Bodily Death, 
from whom no living man can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin. 
Blessed are those whom death will 
find in Your most holy willl, 
for the second death shall do them no harm.
Praise and bless my Lord, 
and give Him thanks 
and serve Him with great humility.
AMEN

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