This card contains an opening reflection on the front that
highlights Saint Francis as a model for taking time to reflect and find peace in
nature and throughout our hectic lives andthen offers related
reflection questions and a closing prayer on the backside. Please
order packs of cards today and spread them widely in your organization by
offering at welcome desks, in the chapel, in staff break rooms, etc.
Reflection Text:
Our world is full of noise and hustle; many of us live in
one-hour increments, shuttling to and from activities, interacting more and more
with technology and less and less with others. It is difficult to see the
mystical meaning in a leaf, make time to go to a mountain trail or look away
from our phone to notice the dewdrop.
Called from his life of wealth, privilege, excitement and
parties to one of simplicity, peace, prayer and connection with the natural
world, Saint Francis provides a model for us. As we celebrate and remember
Francis’ love of the earth, care for animals, commitment to the poor and sick,
let us use today as an invitation to consider how we might make space, as
Francis did, for simplicity, peace, prayer and nature in our lives.
The great spiritual leaders have consistently taught us
that peace is an inside job. By cultivating peace in ourselves, we can become
instruments of God’s peace in the world.