Make me an instrument of peace
When we think of the word instrument we often think of a musical object or a voice that uses vibration to create sounds. Sound vibrations range from pianississimo (very very soft) to fortississimo (very very loud); they can be staccato (short detached notes) or legato (flowing smoothly). Sound vibrations can also be dissonant or harmonic, and they can resonate with a grace and beauty that touches our souls. The varieties, meanings, and experiences of sound vibrations are endless.
In a choir, a soloist can bring us to tears with the clarity and perfect pitch of a single voice and the full choir can bring us to tears with the richness and depth that comes from the unison and the harmony of so many voices working as one. Yet in the choir, every member individually tunes his or her instrument before joining together.
As human energetic instruments, we have similar vibrational choices. We each have the power to use our energy to create the kinds of harmonic or dissonant vibrations in our lives in the same way sound does in a piece of music. And just as in a choir, we can sing solos or to add to the richness and depth of a community.
In our intention to become instruments of peace, we must pay attention to not only what we do but how we do it. The vibrational energy that exudes from our hearts will be an energy that adds to either peace or discord in us and in those around us.
Does my vibration sing a comforting, soothing song of peace and love? Or does my vibration cause feelings of anger, frustration, and fear?
What must I do today to tune my human instrument to create a vibration of peace? How will I focus my thoughts, energy, and actions?
Prayers for the Novena of Peace 2013 and a musical version of the Prayer of St. Francis version by Sarah Mclachlan