Reflection “Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” –St. Augustine Prayer God of charity, Help us to practice the wisdom of the ancients, which is even confirmed by the best of our science toda

Prayer

God of charity,

Help us to practice the wisdom of the ancients, which is even confirmed by the best of our science today. When we hold on to old grudges and refuse to move past the wrongs done to us, we can grow sick in mind, body, and spirit. Help us to practice this wisdom today as we go about serving your people. Make us quick to forgive and to overlook others’ faults. May we not take offense or stew on the ways we’ve been hurt, but follow your rule instead: treating all people the way we would want to be treated, no matter what they may say or do unto us. Amen.

Reflection “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” –Luke 11:9 Prayer God who is there, Your word inspires us today to continue asking, seeking, and knocking. Gi

Prayer

God who is there,

Your word inspires us today to continue asking, seeking, and knocking. Give us patience and stamina to do so. When we are tempted to let go of the dreams we have prayed for friends and family or even ourselves, lead us to rest again in your comforting promise. Those who ask, receive; those who seek, find; those who knock will be shown open doors. As we await your hospitality, provision, and deliverance, let there be others around us to encourage and remind us that there is always a reason to hope. Amen.

Reflection “Justice in the life and conduct of the State is possible only as first it resides in the hearts and souls of the citizens.” –Plato Prayer Just God, Our government has afforded us many blessings and privileges. Help us,

Prayer

Just God,

Our government has afforded us many blessings and privileges. Help us, as citizens, to be just as mindful of our duties and responsibilities in return. Most especially, let a passion for justice dwell in our hearts so that we will always remain hope-filled participants in the challenge of governance, eager to serve the common good and protect the dignity of all. May we forgo the temptations of disillusionment and be inspired instead to cooperate better together in the cause of justice and peace. As neighbors we pray, Amen.

Reflection “No one may claim the name of Christian and be comfortable in the face of hunger, homelessness, insecurity, and injustice found in this country and the world.” –U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops Prayer God over all, I

Prayer

God over all,

If we start to feel cozy in the face of so much injustice, we may have grown deaf to your presence and call. For your presence is near in the lives of those who are needy, and your call is made clear in the voices they raise for our help and assistance. If any one of us claims your Son as a model for life and for living, may we each be faithful in this much at least, that we love you precisely through loving our neighbor, especially those who are most deeply in need. Amen.

Reflection “You don’t stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing.” –George Bernard Shaw Prayer Joyful God, Despite the tumult around us, we are never without a reason for joy. There is your presence wit

Prayer

Joyful God,

Despite the tumult around us, we are never without a reason for joy. There is your presence within and among us, which gives us such comfort in times of trouble. There are the people you have placed in our lives, special companions gifted with wisdom, who have lived long enough to know that youth is not bound up with age and that sorrow does not get the last word. Thank you for these witnesses to joy. They seem to laugh with such freedom, that we know it must come from a depth of spirit borne from experience. May we all attain to this level of joy, choosing to be joyful amidst so many trials, laughing sincerely along the way. Amen.

Reflection “Violence is what happens when we don't know what else to do with our suffering.” –Parker J. Palmer Prayer Merciful One, How do we pray in a time of great violence? Let there be saints in our midst who can show us the

Prayer

Merciful One,

How do we pray in a time of great violence? Let there be saints in our midst who can show us the way, leaders who know what to do in response to great suffering. Let the prophets be heard as we seek new directions, looking for ways to transform mourning to joy. Some days feel like a nightmare, but we believe and profess you have a dream for the world. Make us partners today, to bring that dream more and more into reality. As the world cries out in its suffering, make us agents of your liberation, unlocking the doors that lead us to peace. Amen.

Reflection “I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.” –George Washington Carver Prayer Creative Word, What an inspiring thought… To imagine,

Prayer

Creative Word,

What an inspiring thought… To imagine, that nature is broadcasting your voice among us, if only we would yield our attention and listen. Yet we are so distracted most of the time, and we struggle to embrace quiet moments, not knowing how to sit still or stop our buzzing about. Give us courage to try anyway, and simply to wait on your presence. Let us welcome quiet moments in which we might find you again, within the world you have made. Fill us with gratitude for your presence found in creation, that we might carry your presence to others around us. Amen.