Blessed saint francis | Dorothee Soelle
by Elouise
What is happening to us and to this planet earth? Why are we enamored with the latest gossip or ‘news’ about things, people, governments and countries falling apart?
Questions like these flood my mind from time to time…including questions about my own place and role in this slow/lightning fast descent into…what? I don’t know what to call it.
Here’s one of Dorothee Soelle’s poems from our not-distant past, the 1970s (Vietnam War era). It rings eerily true, given today’s madness that seems to have a life of its own.
Blessed saint francis
pray for us
now and in the time of despondency
your brother the water is poisoned
children no longer know your brother the fire
the birds shun usThey belittle you
popes and czars
and the americans buy up assisi
including you
blessed saint francis
why did you come among usIn the stony outskirts of the city
I saw you scurrying about
a dog pawing through garbage
even children
choose a plastic car
over youBlessed saint francis
What have you changed
Whom have you helpedBlessed saint francis
pray for us
now and when the rivers run dry
now and when our breath fails usSoelle’s poem published in Revolutionary Patience, pp 40-41
Revolutionary Patience © 1969 and 1974 by Wolfgang Fierkau Verlag, Berlin
English translation © 1977 by Orbis Books
Yes, the only thing I can do is be who I am right now. Hopefully doing what I can to help address horrific conditions in our cities, suburbs, towns, and government. Still, I wonder what it means to be ‘ready’ for whatever is coming next.
I’m praying we’ll find ways to address today’s loneliness, hardship, and lack of security. Not as a grand ‘solution’ to everything, but as immediate ways to connect with neighbors and strangers alike. We need each other as much as we need food, clothing, and a safe place to sleep.
Blessings to each of you today and tomorrow.
Elouise♥
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 29 April 2023
Photo found at istockphoto.com
Telling the Truth 
I am enjoying reading Dorothee book. I also purchased her book “Suffering” but made a mistake purchasing a “like new” book through Amazon which the previous owner highlighted with different colors causing great distraction when trying to concentrate on the subject. I will probably order another copy since it is hard enough to “think” about suffering without having so many bright blue and yellow side notes added in the book.
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Had not thought about it before but maybe the highlighted blue and yellow areas in the book were pointing to the Suffering of Ukraine. I WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT AGAIN.
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Hi, Dave. Your hunch may be correct, though I haven’t thought about current suffering in Ukraine as an example. I remember finding Soelle’s book helpful when I was working with women who had been trafficked. Also, on another subject, I just finished reading Matthew Kelly’s Holy Moments. Strangely, I found it most helpful when thinking about my past. We say and do (or don’t do) so many things in a lifetime. The idea that bits and piecese of my past have taken on lives of their own was encouraging. I grew up (preacher’s kid) thinking I would never ever get things ‘right’ and certainly never holy (in his meaning of it). Thanks for recommending it.
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What is great is that you continue to make Holy Moments for others through your thoughts and writing.
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Gift for you taken of our front yard last week. Came suddenly and brilliantly!
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