We give thanks
to God
the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ
always,
when we are praying for you,
– having heard about your faith in Christ Jesus,
– and the love you have for all the holy ones
on account of the Hope,
stored up
for you
in the heavens
which you heard before
in the message of truth,
that is the Gospel,
which has come to be with you
(and) just as in every place in the world
it is bearing fruit,
and growing
just so it is in you
from the day you heard it
and understood the grace of God
in truth
Just as you learned it from Epaphras
the beloved,
our fellow slave
who is faithful for us
a servant of Christ
who also has informed us
of your love in the Spirit.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is discord, union,
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
For your mercy and your truth’s sake
Amen.
—St. Francis of Assisi
