Artisans of Peace


 Heart and Hands : Photography by  Stefan Lubo
 Image source

I came across this poem "Artisans" by chance from here today.

It's a beautiful one to reflect on and give thanks for all those people who use their gifts of creativity to make the world a better place.
 
The author Andrew Rudd wrote it whilst at Taize and he describes the inspiration behind the writing of the poem thus :
 "We were singing the Beatitudes in French when I noticed the words for ‘Blessed are the peace-makers’ – in French this is ‘Bienheureux les artisans de paix…’
It suddenly struck me that peace is an art form, it is not just something that happens accidentally at the end of violence or when there is a cease fire. It is something that has to be made or created in our life together. 
Maybe this is the most important kind of creativity, where we make shalom, where we build community. And maybe one of the best things about art – sculpture, painting, music, poetry – is when it helps us to understand each other better, when it opens our awareness, when it makes peace."
 
Artisans
by Andrew Rudd  
More of his poetry here 

‘Bienheureux les artisans de paix…’



Image source
 

Blessed the singers of peace,
lamenting the unfinished business, sorrow
and dream: whose song changes nothing
but opens everything to change. 



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Blessed the potters of peace,
hands in the clay, shaping, smoothing,
reaching for hidden form, braving
the furnace for beauty.


A photo by Aldo Cavini Benedetti modified by Redditor wormslayer to look like the iconic Pink Floyd album cover.

Blessed the embroiderers of peace:
at their needle’s touch, an ordinary surface
shines in a sacrament of colour, angles
softened into treasures of texture.




Image source

  Blessed the sculptors of peace
who look at the intractable
slab, and see marvels within it,
and reach for the chisel. 



 Image source

Blessed the poets of peace
who bear all voices into their emptiness,
settling stresses into speech
which at the last is music.


This is a great gallery of photos by photographer Stefan Lubo that illustrate the theme of Artisans and I have used some to complement the poem.

And lastly some Monday music to soothe the soul.....

Silent, Surrendered

Lyrics

Silent, surrendered, calm and still,
open to the word of God.
Heart humbled to his will,
offered is the servant of God.

  



O Lord, listen to my prayer,
my prayer as I call to You.


O Lord listen to my prayer
my prayer as I call to You 

Text: from Psalm 101 (102)

Margaret Rizza Instrumental only


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