SEEKING PEACE IN TURBULENT TIMES

This past Saturday, I learned of an assassination attempt on former President Trump. I found myself shocked at the news. My initial thought was “At least they stopped the attempt on the former President’s life before anyone was injured.”

Then more details emerged. I was even more shocked when I learned that a bullet hit Mr. Trump in the ear, someone lost their life, and another person was also injured.   

My prayers are with Mr. Trump, the families of those who have died, all those who suffered injury, and all affected by this tragic event.  

Political discourse in this country has moved from discussions and disagreements about the collective good to a zero-sum game that divides us.  

I cannot change the climate of political discourse in this country. I can only change how I interact with the world and those around me. In these times, my hope is that I can be molded into an agent of peace in a world that desperately needs more peace.  

So today I pray that prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.  

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. 
~Amen 

Peace, 
Travis Segar, Pastor for Care and Community