The Making of Ripples Begins in our Heart

"O Lord, make me an instrument of Thy Peace!
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, harmony;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light, and
Where there is sorrow, joy.
Oh 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."

These are the words of the ultimate ripple make - St. Francis of Assisi Born in the year 1182 in the town of Assisi in Italy; His father, Bernadone was a very wealthy merchant of Assisi. Francis was merry and soft-hearted, thus he had many friends. Francis was brought up in the life of luxury and spent a considerable portion of his wealth in extravagant pleasures. One day Francis was joking and laughing with his friends. A beggar came along crying for alms. Francis, who was soft-hearted, gave whatever he had in his pocket to the beggar. His companions mocked at him for his charitable act. However, compassion found a place in his heart. The sight of the beggar set him thinking about the poverty and misery of a mundane life. He determined to give much of his money to the poor; despite his father’s objections. His father thought Francis was wasting his money and rebuked him for his foolish behavior.

Sometime later, Francis was laid up in bed for many months on account of a serious disease. Fearful he was about to die. Francis prayed to the Lord to save him. The Lord answered Francis’ prayer and as a result Francis life changed entirely. He made a decision to renounce his old way of living to tread a life of purity and to dedicate his life to the service of humanity.

As soon as Francis recovered from his illness, he informed his parents of his decision. They were disappointed with his decision and became angry with their son's choice. Soon Francis gave up his old ways and habits and set out to serve God; he distributed clothes, goods and money to the poor. His father was very much annoyed towards his son. He said, "Is this the gratitude you show to me ? I labored hard and amassed wealth. You are lavishly wasting it on these miserable wretches". His father turned him out of the house.His friends also mocked him and teased him for his new calling; pelting him with stones and mud. As a result, Francis lived like a beggar.

Francis lived in a cave in the mountains of Assisi and spent his time in prayer and meditation for two years. Following his self imposed exile; Francis went from village to village preaching the love of God. He invited people to join him in his life of service if they were willing. Bernard, a rich man of Assisi, was attracted by the saintliness of Francis. He became the first follower of Francis. Bernard placed all his wealth at the altar of God. Eleven others also joined Francis. They distributed all their wealth to the poor. Francis and his followers went all over Italy preaching, teaching, healing and blessing wherever they went. The gospel of kindness and love of Francis soon spread all over Europe and earned for him the name of St. Francis.

His prayer is the prayer of a ripple maker and is one we should all consider if we want to become ripple makers as well.