The greeting of “Happy New Year” has been frequent this past week, and many comments are made about how fast the past year has gone by.  Many of us have all kinds of plans for the year to come — job changes, family events, places we want to go, projects we’d like to start.  Some call these resolutions, others just like to think ahead to the possibilities we feel a new year brings.  It’s good to be forward-thinking, and often our thoughts are influenced by past experiences, and the wisdom of those who came long before us.

Saint Francis of Assissi, a monk in the ancient church, is often associated with kindness to animals.  Some churches have services incorporating his teachings that involve blessing family pets, and there are pictures and statues of the saint with birds and animals flocking to him.  He was a scholar and writer as well, and wrote this prayer of beauty and simplicity.  May we find ways to incorporate these ideals into our New Year and beyond.

Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us 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;
where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that we 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.

(as printed in the Lutheran Book of Worship)