Pray for Justice, Pray for Peace

This morning the judge issued the verdict in the Jason Stockley murder trial. As you recall, Stockley was a police officer for the City of St. Louis when he shot and killed Anthony Smith after a police chase in 2011. There is a breach of community trust in this case. Protesters have continued to gather in downtown St. Louis and north St. Louis. Our US Constitution grants people the right to peacefully protest. Please pray that the protesters continue to act without violence. While the police and National Guard are there to maintain order, please pray that the police and National Guard act without prejudice.
 
Bishop Smith sent a notice to Diocese of Missouri clergy this morning calling for prayer and peaceful demonstration. He wrote, “Pray for justice. Pray for peace. Pray for the safety of all.”
 Following is the prayer attributed to St. Francis.
 
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. Amen.
 
                                          ~ Fr. Al Jewson