Psalm 119:65-72
Be good to your servant, God;
be as good as your Word.
Train me in good common sense;
I’m thoroughly committed to living your way.
Before I learned to answer you, I wandered all over the place,
but now I’m in step with your Word.
You are good, and the source of good;
train me in your goodness.
The godless spread lies about me,
but I focus my attention on what you are saying;
They’re bland as a bucket of lard,
while I dance to the tune of your revelation.
My troubles turned out all for the best—
they forced me to learn from your textbook.
Truth from your mouth means more to me
than striking it rich in a gold mine.
Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. James 1:17
Pax et Bonum – Peace and All Good – is the traditional Franciscan welcome and goodbye. St. Francis of Assisi favored its use, and often began and ended his sermons and letters with the phrase.
Reflection: As you reflect on the Psalm and scripture from James, what does it mean to you that God is the source of all good? Pax et Bonum, Peace and All Good is a traditional welcome and goodbye. What might it look like to you to welcome peace and good into your own life and then share or offer it to others?