Made For Each Other

A tribute to Francis and friends

Throughout history, wisdom texts have been attributed to people who didn’t actually say them (like Jesus and Buddha, for example). That doesn’t mean the messages are any less valuable. When he died on April 21st, I was inspired by these words, which (along with many other people) I thought came from Pope Francis.

“Rivers do not drink their own water; trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine on itself and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature. We are all born to help each other […]"

As it turns out, the quote “rivers don’t drink their own water” originated with a 14th Century Sanskrit verse, within the Hindu tradition. How wonderfully fitting, given that this was the Pope who upset many in his flock by saying that all religions are a path to God!

Made for Each Other
  
The sun doesn't shine on itself
It shines into space, 
it shines on the earth
Enlivens our days
The warmth in the heart  
Isn't meant to be held
Love travels so far, it knows so well
 
We are made for each other
We are made for each other 
We are made for each other...
Yes, we are. 
 
The tree doesn't stand on its own
It offers its fruit, extending its roots
deeper than we know 
The stream doesn't drink 
from the stream as it flows
it gives of itself, for Nature knows...
 
We are made for each other...(rpt)
Here we are.

Make me an instrument of peace
Where there's hatred, sow love
where bondage, release
where despair, bring hope...
From Love we have come
To Love we return
as we open our hearts
we will come to learn...

We are made for each other...
Yes, we are. 

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I included a reference to the Prayer of St. Francis, which begins “Make me an instrument of Thy peace.” St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1286) didn’t write that, either, but of course Pope Francis chose his name in honour of the historical Catholic saint known for humility, peace and love of creation.¹

It seems to me that this age-old passing along of wisdom, this holy game of broken telephone, tells us that nothing is ours alone, none of us can claim full credit for what we share, that Everything is One and we are called to love and care for All Of It.

---

On that note, here is a very beautiful prayer that Pope Francis actually did write, as part of his 2015 Encyclical: “Laudato Si: On Care for our Common Home”.

A prayer for our earth

All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live 
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives, 
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
for justice, love and peace.

---

If you’re in the Toronto area, you’re invited to Chapel of Song in person on Saturday, May 10th, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Avenue, in the Living Room. My guest will be Steve Paul Simms in musical conversation on the theme of “Dreams.”

Thank you, as always, for reading, listening and staying in touch!

Love and blessings,

Lynn

1. One more fun fact: my birthday happens to fall on St. Francis’ Feast Day. I wasn’t raised Catholic, so I didn’t know that until recently, but I’ve been drawn to the prayer since my teens!