Reflection “You are not required to set yourself on fire to keep other people warm.” –Unknown Prayer Caring Spirit, You gave us a rule of such challenging simplicity: to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Yet for many of us,

Prayer

Caring Spirit,

You gave us a rule of such challenging simplicity: to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Yet for many of us, especially those drawn to care for the needs of others, the second part of that rule can be hard to put into practice. We see caregivers and colleagues neglect and empty themselves in ways that cannot be sustained. We owe it to them to intervene. To support them and care for them in a spirit of love. Perhaps above all we must pray for them, that your Spirit would awaken within them and sound the alarm: to take care of themselves is a sign of their love for others. Open all our hearts in this way, to practice the wisdom of your rule for life. Amen.

Reflection “Great anger and violence can never build a nation.” –Nelson Mandela Prayer God of justice, Seeing the world in all its fury and pain, we are tempted sometimes to run away, to turn our back on the world because it all f

Prayer

God of justice,

Seeing the world in all its fury and pain, we are tempted sometimes to run away, to turn our back on the world because it all feels like too much to face. Yet you have called us to do more than find a path of escape. You call us to invest and plant and build, to make your love concrete in big and small ways in the lives that we share with others. Show us today how we can foster a genuine spirit of collaboration, so that the anger and violence among us might be transformed into good help and well-being for all. In your great compassion and peace, we pray. Amen.

Reflection “It’s not an apology if it comes with an excuse. It is not a compliment if it comes with a request.” –Kevin Kelly Prayer Self-giving God, There are some basic functions of the heart that we need to practice more often.

Prayer

Self-giving God,

There are some basic functions of the heart that we need to practice more often. As we challenge each other in the work that we share, we need to know how to say I am sorry. And we need to know how to give praise for a job well done. With no strings attached, let our apologies and compliments be quickly expressed, so the culture of ministry we are building together may always be free of manipulation, deceit, and selfish attention. May we each feel the responsibility to ensure we remain a place “where associates want to work, clinicians want to practice, people seek wellness and communities thrive.” In the hope we share with you for our world, Amen.

Feast of St. Benedict

Feast of St. Benedict

Prayer

God of my colleagues,

We give thanks today and celebrate the holy humanity of St. Benedict, who was so influential in establishing authentic communities, fueled by everyday service and practical love. In our own ministry of health care, we recall that our “hospitals” today are extensions of the tradition that Benedict fanned into flame, expressing care for the sick and showing real “hospitality” to travelers needing shelter and care. Benedict’s practical spirit reminds us that being saintly never means being less than human. Inspired by his example, and as we share in your work, may we encourage one another as we offer hospitality and care to those we serve. Amen.

Reflection “But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn

Prayer

God of compassion,

We ask you to bless us again today with your spirit of compassion, so that we might see one another in the dignity of our creation and to serve every neighbor as you would have us do. Lead us to see beyond labels that divide and distinguish, the layers of politics and nationality; race, class, and gender; every wall we create between “us” and “them.” Inspire us all to embody our common humanity by acting on behalf of any among us who are hurting, in need, and vulnerable. For we are all your children. Amen.

Reflection “[E]ven if you are old, you must plant. Just as you found trees planted by others, you must plant them for your children.” —Midrash Tanchuma Prayer God of tomorrow, There are so many simple things we can do today to exp

Prayer

God of tomorrow,

There are so many simple things we can do today to express our hope for tomorrow and our belief in a community beyond us. The way we care for our patients and colleagues, the tone of our emails and notes, the posture we take when opening meetings, how we steward our equipment and office supplies. In our personal lives, too, even the smallest gesture can show our sense of belonging to a life shared with others, before and ahead of us. Remind us that doing small things with great love is how we all shape a better tomorrow. Amen.

Reflection “We shall awaken from our dullness and rise vigorously toward justice. If we fall in love with creation deeper and deeper, we will respond to its endangerment with passion.” –St. Hildegard of Bingen Prayer Just God, “

Prayer

Just God,

“Fall in love with creation?” How do we do that today, when the landscape is paved and the air is thick and, for increasingly more of our brothers and sisters, clean water and food are endangered? Give us new vision, wisdom, and passion for pursuing environmental justice together. Renew in our hearts a genuine love for this world that you made, for we protect what we love and will commit to defend it in whatever way possible. For the sake of the generations to come, Amen.