Reflection “The first wealth is health.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson Prayer Creator God, You made us in your image—an image of love, kindness, and compassion. Yet we know this is not always easy to live out, for our human hearts can be s

Prayer

Creator God,
You made us in your image—an image of love, kindness, and compassion. Yet we know this is not always easy to live out, for our human hearts can be stubborn and self-focused. Remind us that caring for our own well-being allows us to love as you love and to serve with fullness of heart. As we tend to the needs of others, help us also to tend to our own health, so we may give our best in service and love. Amen.

Reflection “The best antidote to helplessness is doing something helpful.” ~Adam Grant Prayer Lord of guidance, When we help others, we often feel a spark of joy in our hearts—yet it can fade quickly as helplessness returns in the

Prayer

Lord of guidance,
When we help others, we often feel a spark of joy in our hearts—yet it can fade quickly as helplessness returns in the face of the world’s many struggles. In a world filled with need, show us how we can make a difference, even in small ways. Guide our hands to reach out in times of need and open our eyes to see that in helping others, we ourselves are blessed and renewed. We thank you for your steady hand that leads us forward. Amen.

Reflection “The whole earth is a living icon of the face of God.” —St. John of Damascus Prayer God with us, As we strive to extend your compassionate ministry today, remind us of your promise never to leave or forsake us. When we

Prayer

God with us,

As we strive to extend your compassionate ministry today, remind us of your promise never to leave or forsake us. When we feel alone or anxious, help us find space and breath to retreat into the goodness of your creation. For however brief that moment, in the beauty of the natural world, refresh our spirits with your presence, that we may return to the day at hand and love the people in need. Amen.

Reflection “Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.” —C.H. Spurgeon Prayer God our help, Our patients and colleagues will no doubt wrestle thr

Prayer

God our help,

Our patients and colleagues will no doubt wrestle through many tough choices today. As we all face decisions that demand a response, revive our awareness of your deeper calling to practice discernment. Help us frame our decisions by entering a dialogue with your Holy Spirit, waiting and reflecting together, so we might foresee and implement the best direction you have in mind for us. For patients and families, for our collective decisions as a ministry, anchor us in the gift of discernment. Amen.

Reflection “Our descendants will achieve things that will amaze us, yet a portion of what they will create could have been made with today’s materials and tools if we’d had the imagination. Think bigger.” —Kevin Kelly Prayer Creat

Prayer

Creator spirit,

You do not run short on creativity! From the diversity of nature to the remarkable array of skills and gifts you’ve put within us, it is obvious that your love of life invites all of us to participate and share the life-giving work of creation. Help us answer that invitation, as a ministry and as people of conscience, building the world together. Let us be leaders in innovation, committed to serving the common good by applying our imaginations to creative responses to the world’s biggest problems. Amen.

Reflection “This is not a matter of mere human kindness but a revelation: contact with those who are lowly and powerless is a fundamental way of encountering the Lord of history. In the poor, he continues to speak to us.” —Pope Leo XIV

Prayer

God of the poor,

In your ministry among us and all throughout Scripture, you challenge us to reframe our vision of those deemed “the least of these,” at least according to human eyes. Through your eyes, rather, these are in fact the most deserving of good news, compassion, and liberating love. What’s more, you explicitly told us to expect our encounters with them to be encounters with you. Make us ever more conscious of that great revelation today, as we extend your mission for all people, especially for those who are poor, dying, and underserved. Amen.